The best middle grade books featuring protagonists with grit

This is a personal favorite from my own middle grade years; I credit it with fostering my love of historical fiction. Lily is a preteen living in Queens, New York during World War II. The War serves as a backdrop for Lily’s disillusionment and confusion over the world around her. Her struggle with grief over the death of her mother is compounded by a new anxiety as her father goes off to fight in the War. As a protagonist, Lily is far from perfect. She has a tendency to lie to her family, and struggles to be a good friend. Maybe this is part of the reason that I found her relatable as a preteen reader myself. Even though her world was vastly different from my own, she was trying to navigate issues that all kids deal with – friendship, loyalty, and family – while wondering what her own future would look like during a chaotic, tragic world event. Lily’s relatability will help readers build connections: kids like them have struggled through unimaginable world events throughout history and have persevered. Readers can, too.

Bud is one of my absolute favorite middle grade protagonists. Equally heartbreaking and hilarious, Bud is determined to find his father, who he believes is a jazz musician. He embarks on a journey from Michigan out west, which vividly depicts life during the Great Depression. Bud’s honest account of the evils he encounters – racism, violence, and poverty – illuminates the tragedy and absurdity of racist ideologies and the suffering of so many.

Throughout the novel, Bud’s humor provides a beautifully child-like perspective that will delight readers. The novel also does a wonderful job of celebrating jazz and highlighting the ways that adversity can create strong bonds.

I remember reading this book as a ten year old and loving Bud’s determination to succeed despite the obstacles placed in his way.  It’s historical fiction at its best. It will open readers’ eyes to historic wrongs captured through Bud’s preteen lens, while inspiring them to emulate Bud’s grit and persistence in the face of adversity.

This fantasy novel tells the story of two sisters, Princesses Meryl and Addie, who are living in a kingdom plagued by the Gray Death, a deadly disease. Meryl is the courageous older sister, while Addie, younger, is easily frightened and shy. When Meryl catches the Gray Death, Addie’s love for Meryl inspires her to go on a quest in search of a cure to save Meryl’s life. Addie’s devotion to and love of her sister despite their differences celebrates sisterhood and family bonds.  Her journey beautifully illustrates that fear and bravery are not mutually exclusive. She is a hero not in spite of, her fear – it inspires her to investigate and plot her steps carefully on her quest.

This novel captures SoHo in 1981 so vividly. Ollie is twelve years old and dealing with overwhelming turmoil at home: her father disappears in the middle of the night, and her mother is bedridden, struggling with depression.

Ollie is an easy protagonist to root for. Her struggle to navigate the complexities of the adults around her is something many children will relate to, and the mystery and importance of her quest to find her father provides a captivating, page-turning plot for readers. Add in some authentic, vintage SoHo grit and a cast of multi-dimensional, well-developed characters, and readers will easily identify with Ollie’s confusion, curiosity, and grit in the face of adversity.

Most fans of middle grade are already well acquainted with 10-year-old Opal and Winn-Dixie, her loyal canine companion. Opal is missing her absent mother, and is isolated in a new town – Naomi, Florida when she discovers Winn-Dixie at the supermarket. Winn-Dixie is the catalyst that leads her to consider her new community through fresh eyes. It’s a story of learning to heal, forgive, and find comfort through the friendship of others.

One of the reasons I think I enjoyed this book so much as a kid was because I was often bored by the town I grew up in and wanted to live somewhere more exciting. There was something inspirational about the way Winn-Dixie leads Opal to explore the mundane world around her with curiosity. Naomi is not an exciting place, but Winn-Dixie helps shift Opal’s perspective. As she begins to stop making assumptions about people, she learns important lessons about how she wants to live and begins to focus more on creating a happier life in the present.