Great Standalone Books For When You Can't Find a Series

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Title: Fish in a Tree

Author: Linda Mullaly Hunt

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: Young Adult

Fish in a Tree is about a twelve-year-old girl named Ally who can't read. Afraid that people will make fun of her if they find out, Ally becomes the "bad kid" and deliberately gets sent to the principal's office to avoid reading out loud. 

She has things pretty much figured out until she meets her long-term substitute teacher who's determined to help her.

For another great read, check on Linda Mullaly Hunt's other book, One For the Murphys. It's really good.


Title: The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Author: Kelly Barnhill

Genre: High Fantasy

Age Group: Middle Grade

If you like magic, dragons, and great world building, this book is for you! It follows the story of Luna, who was abandoned in the forest as a baby and found and raised by a witch. When the witch feeds her moonlight instead of starlight, Luna becomes a witch herself. 

If you're one for fantasy worlds, this is a must-read.





Title: The Thing About Jellyfish

Author: Ali Benjamin

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: Middle Grade

Susie's life changed when her former best friend, Franny, drowned. It wasn't like they'd spoken since the last day of school. It wasn't like they even knew each other anymore. But the loss brings Susie to the verge of insanity. She becomes convinced that Franny was stung by an Irukandji jellyfish and will go to any lengths to prove it...

Ali Benjamin combines realistic characters, breathtaking prose, and believable friendships into this masterpiece. This is a ten out of ten, people.


Title: See You in the Cosmos

Author: Jack Cheng

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: Middle Grade

For Alex, a space-obsessed boy, and his dog, Carl Sagan, the adventure begins when he attends a homemade rocket launching. So much happens after that, it's kind of hard to explain.

The best thing about this book is the narration. Trust me, it's hilarious.




Title: When You Reach Me

Author: Rebecca Stead

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Group: Middle Group

Miranda keeps getting notes from the future. She doesn't know who they're from, or how she's receiving them, or why they're asking her to write a letter. 

This story may seem abstract at first, but everything will be worth it when you reach the plot-twist ending. It's a fun, perplexing read, and one of the best time-travel stories I've read.




Title: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Genre: Historical Fiction (World War II)

Age Group: Young Adult

Narrated by Death, this is historical fiction like you've never read it before. This story follows Liesel Meminger, a German girl who is given away by her mother, who wants her child to have a better life. Unfortunately, WWII gets in the way of that...

This book will make the toughest person cry. Between that and its unique narration, you can't beat this read.


























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