Looking for the best books to read aloud to your Middle School ELA students? If so, you’ve come to the right place because I have 9 fascinating books your students will enjoy listening to!
Benefits of Books to Read Aloud to Your Class
First, let me explain for just a moment the value in reading aloud to your students. You probably already know that reading out loud to kids can help them grow their vocabulary, increase their cognitive understanding, and lengthen their attention span.
But you might wonder, Isn’t reading out loud just for little kids? When you think of reading out loud, you might picture a mom reading to her 2-year-old… So are your students too old for this?
My opinion is: definitely not!! After all… the benefits of reading aloud don’t stop as a child keeps growing. Middle school students who listen to books improve their comprehension, reduce their stress, and expand their exposure to different types of materials.
Plus, educator Jim Trelease points out that a child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to his listening level until around 8th grade. So… you can actually read books aloud that are at a higher level than what your students are used to reading on their own.
And not only that, but books help kids understand difficult lessons. Lectures often go in one ear and out the other… but listening to a story where that lesson plays out causes it to truly resonate with kids.
Best Books to Read Aloud to Your Students
So now that you know the benefits of reading aloud to your students… how do you find the right books to read aloud?
I have some great options for you! Middle School ELA teachers from my free Facebook group recently shared some of their favorite books to read aloud to their class. (Click here to join the group and get support from teachers like you.)
There were some books that kept popping up in their answers over and over…
So enjoy this list of favorite books to read aloud to your students!! (And if you haven’t heard of some of these books, no worries… I’m including tiny descriptions so you can get a feel for what the book is about. 😊 )
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
A 12-year-old boy is shot by a police officer and turns into a ghost. As a ghost, he sees the devastating aftermath of his death on his family and community.
Tower Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes
This book is set 15 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It features a classroom of students who can’t remember the attack but are dealing with the cultural aftermath.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
This novel follows a teenage boy named Steven whose little brother gets sick. Steven navigates his brother’s illness and his family’s changing dynamics—all while trying to keep up with homework and band practice.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Three children—separated by continents and decades—go on harrowing journeys and face unimaginable dangers in search of refuge.
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
A Jewish boy named Yanek Gruener faces the Nazis’ cruelty in Poland in the 1930s. Yanek becomes a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp—with PRISONER B-3087 tattooed on his arm.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This coming-of-age book was written 50 years ago, but it still remains a classic—and students still love it!
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
A teenager named Cole Matthews severely injures another young man, but instead of jail time, Cole is sent to an Alaskan Island in an alternative program for juvenile offenders. When Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear, his past hurts and his own abusive behavior fill his mind—and he determines to seek redemption.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaeman
The book follows the story of Nobody Owens, a boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard. The adventures that come next are sure to excite your students!
A Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
This novel tells the story of a girl named Ally, who hides her inability to read at every new school she attends. But her newest teacher sees through her and helps her take a journey of personal growth and self-acceptance.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Don’t let the name of this book throw you off!! The book features a girl named Aven Green, who was born with no arms. She likes to tell people, though, that she lost them in various exciting adventures. But when she and her new friend discover a secret room at a theme park, her life becomes more adventurous than she bargained for.
How to Choose Which Books to Read Aloud
As you look through this list, you may find one or two books that immediately seem like the perfect fit for your class. But the best way to find out if your students will like a book is to simply start reading it to them.
You might be surprised to find that your students love it when you read aloud … even more than you do!!
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