11 Middle Grade Families We Wish We Could Join
It’s that time of the year is when everybody attempts to hunker down and enjoy their families (or hide away and spend some time in the company of fictional ones). I have long been inspired by my favorite books, but as a mother, that inspiration reaches a whole new level. I want to be stern and teach my kids honor and respect like Atticus Fitch. But I also want them to remember me for my kind heart, like Molly Weasley’s kids, and my unconditional love, like Marmee’s daughters.
And sometimes? I just want to jump right into the pages of my favorite stories and join those families.
Spending time with the families in these 11 middle grade books will teach your children unforgettable lessons—on forgiveness, on support, on unconditional love—it’s all there. And while they will of course always cherish their own families, it’s always nice to make some new memories with the Weasleys, the Marches, and the three Curtis brothers.
{{ product: 9780545162074 }}The Weasley Family (Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling)
Let’s be honest—would anybody even realize that there was another Weasley kid? Well, Molly and Arthur would, which is why they are such great parents. Not only have they raised seven children to do right by each other and the world (except for that little mishap with Percy), but they have become surrogate parents to Harry and even Hermione when she was away from her own family. The love they have for their family is fierce, and who wouldn’t want to be a Weasley sibling? They are one of the most beloved families in literature and I think everybody wishes they could be a Weasley for a day.
The March Family (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I just started re-reading Little Women for the millionth time and the comfort I feel in those first few pages is palpable. I mean, the March sisters love each other so much, in spite of their differences, and the love they have for their parents is almost too much to bear. They are kind to each other, they listen to each other, and they are still a real, messy family that inspires my own relationship with my child and our family dynamics.
The Curtis Family (The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton)
OK, so the Curtis family is a little dysfunctional, but you know what? Everyone envies the relationship between Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy. Is it perfect? Not even a little bit. But the love that runs deep between the three of them is pretty incredible. In fact, the entire gang of Greasers makes for a wonderful family for these boys who feel as if they have no one to turn to and that they can’t trust most of the world. The story proves that families aren’t always blood, and that perfection isn’t really attainable, no matter how much you love each other.
The Finch Family (To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee)
If you never daydreamed about Atticus Finch being your father, then I don’t know if we can be friends. He is honor personified and the values he has instilled in his children are heartwarming. The scenes were Scout and Jem are defending their father, along with their father’s protective personality by asking them not to watch Tom’s trial and saving Jem from being prosecuted after Bob Ewell’s death are definite family goals. Through all of the tragedies the Finch family faces, they stay true to each other and believe in family above everything else.
The Watson Family (The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis)
Road trips are always a good time to bond with family, but when your family is road tripping during tumultuous times, it can bring you even closer. The Watson family are known as “the weird Watsons”, which makes them all the more lovable. But they way they band together, despite the differences they’re having at home, and the way they promise to protect each other from simmering racial tensions in the country, makes me love them even more.
The Pullman Family (Wonder, by R.J. Palacio)
We all want a family that will protect us, love us, and consider us to be greater than we think we are. That’s the family you get with the Pullmans in Wonder. From Auggie’s older sister Via to his parents, everyone wants him to succeed and will do anything they can to help him, including pushing him outside of his comfort zone to help him grow as a person. When Auggie wants to give up school because of the teasing and bullying he receives due to his facial deformity, his older sister talks him out of it. When he thinks he’s just ordinary, his parents tell him that he’s extraordinary. They are the ultimate support system for Auggie and it makes all the difference in his confidence and way of life.
The Johansen Family (Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry)
Can you imagine fearing for your family’s lives every moment of every day? In Number the Stars, the Johansen family has to live with that horror, but it doesn’t stop them from still doing everything they can to protect each other and those around them. From hiding Jewish friends in their family to being attacked by Nazis in order to protect others, the Johansen family is a family full of courage, strength, and compassion.
The Kittredge Family (American Girl Beforever Series: Kit, by Valerie Tripp)
I love all of the American Girl series, but the character of Kit Kittredge is one of my favorites. Growing up in The Great Depression, Kit has a lot of worries, but her family is always there to remind her that at least they have each other and that they could be so much worse off. She stands up for her father when bullies make fun of him for being out of work, she remains humble, and she continues to fiercely love her family and do anything she can to help. It’s a great story to read even now, to show your own kids how families are always there for each other, no matter the circumstances.
The Little Family (Stuart Little, by E.B. White)
I mean, any family cheerfully raises a tiny mouse as their son deserves bonus points, right? The Littles prove that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can be loved and part of a family just like anybody else. This one is also a great story for kids who are adopted, though it’s also a lovely one for any family to read together, just to teach the lesson that what matters is in our hearts and that we remain kind and loving to each other, not that we all look like each other.
The Cray Family (Chomp, by Carl Hiaasen)
If you haven’t read Chomp yet, it’s a smart, funny story that will delight you and your kid. But you’ll also want to jump right in and join the Cray family. With a dad who is a professional animal wrangler, there are bound to be a ton of adventures, but the Cray family is more than just wacky and fun. They are also ferociously protective of each other and will stop at nothing to be together as a family and to stand up for each other. I can’t give much more away if you haven’t read the book, but trust me—you will love the Cray family and everything they stand for.
The Murphy Family (One for the Murphys, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt)
When foster child Carley is placed with the Murphy family, she has no idea how to act. She’s not use to stability, to belonging—she’s not used to a family. It takes her some time to get used to it, and then her world is turned upside-down all over again. But the bond she has with the Murphys and the way they’ve taught her that she will always belong helps her face substantial challenges. This is such a beautiful story about what it means to be a family, and it will make you want to jump right into the pages to hang out with the Murphys, too.
What are some of your favorite fictional families?