2025 Middle Grade and YA Book Releases to Add to Your Classroom Library

It's time to go back-to-school for the 2025-26 school year! Are you looking for some trending Middle Grade and YA books to add to your classroom library or curriculum? We're excited to share a few 2025 book releases that your students will love! 

⭐Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson - This novel in verse released in January 2025. The protagonist is Cooper Dale, a Black 5th grade student who is living in a predominately white community in 1963. The book follow's Cooper's experiences of being bullied and ultimately finding forgiveness and self-worth. This book is likely to generate powerful conversations with your students about racism, classism, faith, and identity. 

⭐Schooled by Jamie Sumner - Schooled is a novel that will release in August 2025, telling the story of Lenny, a 6th grade student who is joining an experimental school on a university campus. The strange school includes a quirky professor and unusual assignments. Throughout the book, Lenny builds community with his misfit classmates and processes the grief of losing his mom. 

⭐The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose - In May 2025, this novel in verse released. It tells the story of a 12-year-old character named Opal who lives in a fire tower in New Mexico. She is being trained to be a fire lookout and has to face her fears when a wildfire begins. This book includes themes of bravery, family heritage, and natural disasters. 

⭐The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser - One thing that makes this middle grade novel unique is its dual storyline structure; the book includes two protagonists from different time periods and places. Han Yu's storyline takes place in 731 China,  and Luli storyline takes place in 1931 Chinatown. Both characters take big risks to help their families in the midst of a plague and a financial crisis.

⭐Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson - This historical fiction middle grade novel released in April 2025. It tells the story of Elsbeth, a girl living in Boston during the Revolutionary War. When the smallpox epidemic breaks out, Elsbeth is fortunate because she is immune, but she must work for a wealthy family to avoid going to an orphanage. In the midst of navigating an epidemic and job, she searches for her missing father. This gripping novel may particularly resonate with students who have lived through the Covid-19 pandemic. 

⭐Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung - This graphic novel released in April 2025. Ming Lee, the protagonist, begins middle school and desperately wants to fit in with his peers. He struggles with honoring the wishes of his immigrant parents (to get good grades and avoid trouble) while also trying to make friends. This book can help build students' empathy and understanding with its themes of cultural identity, self discovery, and the challenges of growing up.

⭐Almost Sunset: A Graphic Novel by Wahab Algarmi - This graphic novel released in February 2025. Hassan, the main character, is a Muslim American boy who is trying to balance his middle school experience with his faith practices during Ramadan. Many of Hassan's classmates and teachers don't understand the significance of fasting, prayer, and other traditions during Ramadan, so Hassan wonders if it might be easier to avoid telling them about Ramadan. This heartfelt graphic novel is a great way to give non-Muslim students a glimpse into Ramadan. 

⭐Speechless: A Graphic Novel by Aron Nels Steinke - In this graphic novel, the protagonist Mira has selective mutism. At home, she is very comfortable talking with her family. However, in school, she struggles to speak. Sadly, Mira's ex-best-friend Chloe has become her enemy, so Mira is shocked when her family decides to host Chloe in their home for a while. This meaningful book has themes of finding one's voice, navigating anxiety, and realizing self worth. 

⭐The Library of Curiosities by Jenny Lundquist - This book is about an 11-year-old girl named Rowan who finds her grandfather's magical library in Fitzgerald Manor. The library contains objects that can fix ordinary problems, such as feeling unsure about how to complete a school assignment. After exploring the library, Rowan is hopeful that the library can solve her personal problems. Unfortunately, an even bigger problem arises: Rowan becomes a primary suspect when objects go missing from the library. This enchanting book is full of intrigue and magic, and your students will have trouble putting it down!

⭐Spark by Chris Baron - This novel in verse released in July 2025. After a wildfire in their rural community, Finn and Rabbit process the displacement of local community members, the death of animals and plants in the nearby ecosystems, interruptions to their education, and the looming threat of future wildfires. Finn and Rabbit wonder if it's possible to regrow parts of the forest and try to convince the adults in their lives to consider their perspectives. This beautiful book is about conservation of the natural world, as well as pursuing hope in the midst of feelings of powerlessness. As the news is full of climate disasters, this book may resonate with students who are wondering what they can do to care for Earth.