These books are short and easy to read but pack an outsized emotional punch. Courtesy the publishers

The preteen years are fraught with emotion and change, and a lot of us forget just how much we learn, encounter and confront between the ages of eight and twelve. Middle-grade authors have the task of writing books that are compelling to young—but maturing—readers while also taking those readers, and their lives and emotions, seriously.

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Crossover hits like the Percy Jackson Lightning Thief series have proven that adults can be fans of middle-grade fiction, too, and I often recommend middle-grade books to adults trying to jumpstart their reading because they are short and easy to devour in just a few sittings. But it can also be very healing to read about tough topics through the eyes of a young person.

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Parents can remind themselves what it’s like to grow up and get some insight into how best to help their kids through those challenges. And everyone can revel in the nostalgia for childhood. These books also present opportunities to confront some of the demons of our past—I personally found Barbara Dee’s book about harassment and bullying extremely relatable, and Nicole Melleby’s description of preteen depression made my inner youth feel seen.

If you’re looking for easy-to-read books that don’t shy away from tough topics but are quick to digest, engaging and fun, this list will point you toward some of the best middle-grade fiction out........

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