Join Us: 5 Middle Grade Books About Clubs
Growing up, my best friends and I were always starting different clubs. We’d make club rules, have meetings, take minutes of these meetings, and then forget all about the club after about a week when we had moved on to something else. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this, so it’s not surprising that there are a bunch of great middle grade books all based on different clubs. From babysitting, to cupcakes, to reading, to being kind, these books have all of your bases covered.
{{ product: 9781681190914 }}The Kindness Club, by Courtney Sheinmel
Couldn’t we all use a little more kindness in our lives? Fifth grader Chloe Silver is just about the world’s kindest kid, and her kindness helps her make friends at her new school. The popular kids’ club, the It Girls, invites Chloe to be a member. Then Chloe is assigned a science project with two other kids, Theo and Lucy, and they decide to test the effects of kindness on the people around them, officially forming the Kindness Club. But the It Girls don’t want to share Chloe with another club, and Chloe must make some hard choices about friendship in the first book of this delightful new series.
Kristy’s Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club Series #1), by Ann M. Martin
I wonder how many kids have started their own babysitters clubs after reading this phenomenal bestselling series? I know I did. Unfortunately we were far less dedicated and successful than our intrepid entrepreneurs Kristy, Mary Ann, Claudia, and Stacey. Half the fun of meetings was figuring out which character you were like (I wanted to be as artsy and cool as Claudia, but in truth was probably more like organized and introverted Mary Ann). With over 100 books, as well as a graphic novel adaptation, this classic series is perfect for binge reading.
The Mother-Daughter Book Club, by Heather Vogel Frederick
I love the idea of a mother-daughter book club! In this series by Heather Vogel Frederick, sixth graders Emma, Jess, Cassidy, and Megan all join up for one of their own. The first book on their list is Little Women! What better pick than Louisa May Alcott’s classic story? Or if you happen to be more of a Jane Austin fan you can always skip ahead to the fourth book in the series, Pies & Prejudice.
Peace, Love, and Cupcakes (The Cupcake Club Series), by Sheryl Berk and Carrie Berk
You had me at cupcake… I would definitely like to be an honorary member of this sweet club! Kylie Carson decides to start a cupcake club to help make friends at her new school (a genius idea in my opinion!). Will the club be a sweet success? And, much like cupcakes, it’s going to be hard to consume just one of these adorable pastel confections (i.e. books). Bonus: Readers get some delicious recipes to try at home as well.
Roxbury Park Dog Club: # 1 Mission Impawsable, by Daphne Maple
If you are a dog lover, then this is the book (and club) for you! Best friends Kim, Sasha, and Taylor all love dogs, and so they start a club to volunteer at and try and save the struggling local dog shelter. Book one features Kim, who is like a seventh grade version of Cesar Millan. Volunteering, friendship, and puppies make for the ultimate feel good read!
Did we miss any of your middle schooler’s favorite fictional clubs?