MG novels for art or science fans
My parents recently asked me for some book recommendations to give as gifts for two siblings (ages 9 and 12) one of whom loves art and the other loves science and math. Here are great novels for middle-grade readers, whatever their interest.
For the art lover
Masterpiece by Elise Broach and Kelly Murphy (2008)
Masterpiece is the story of a kid, a beetle, and an art heist. The beetle, Marvin, is an accomplished artist, but the kid mistakenly gets credit for his work. The two work together to solve the mystery and catch the thief.
Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald (2014)
When Theodora’s grandfather dies, he leaves behind a mystery involving a painting hidden behind another painting. She tries to determine the origin of the art, while fearing that her grandfather may not have always been on the right side of the law.
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna (2021)
In this fantasy, an anxious kid finds escape through her drawings until those drawings come to life. She’s pulled into the world she created and discovers that she is the only one who can save it from a malicious being. In the real world, Kiki hides her anxiety from her mother, but in the world of the drawings she finds support that lets her start to cope.
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat (2023)
A fantastic graphic novel memoir, A First Time for Everything recounts Santat’s middle-school trip all over Europe. Given remarkable freedom (it was the 80s!) and with the support of friends, he starts to come into his own. He takes risks, tries new things, and even falls in love. A joyous and exuberant tribute to the benefits of travel.
For the science lover
Calpurnia Tate series by Jacqueline Kelly (started 2011)
Kelly’s historical books focus on Callie Vee, who is fascinated by science and resistant to the established roles for girls and women. Her grandfather supports her intellectual interest, and she finds ways to express herself. Great fun for the reader to see the world through Callie’s eyes.
The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole by Michelle Cuevas (2017)
Set in 1977, this novel focuses on Stella, who accidentally brings a black hole home after a visit to NASA. Stella has to learn how to take care of this complicated pet while also dealing with her unexplored grief from the death of her father.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty (2018)
Lucy was struck by lightning when she was eight. As a result, she has acquired savant syndrome, resulting in astronomical math skills. She also has synesthesia (which causes her to perceive numbers as shapes and colors) and OCD (which leads to behavior such as sitting and standing three times before settling). Since the accident, she’s been homeschooled, but now her Nana wants her to go to middle school to interact with kids her own age.
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller (2018)
Natalie and her friends enter an egg drop competition. If they can build the perfect structure to keep their egg safe, they can win the prize money, which would allow Natalie to take her mom, who is suffering from depression, on a trip. Natalie is sure that would fix everything.