--- title: 5 Books to Inspire Your Middle Schooler! description: 5 books to inspire your middle school students to read! We want to help kids to value reading and develop flourishing reading lives. image: https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/pexels-mccutcheon-1148399%20(2).jpeg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#main-content) - [APPLY](https://lw-va.client.renweb.com/oa/index.cfm?memberid=782) - [VISIT](https://www.lorienwood.org/school-tours) - [FAMILY PORTAL](https://sis.factsmgt.com/family-portal?DistrictCode=LW-VA) - [GIVE](https://www.lorienwood.org/giving) [![Lorien Wood School\_Reverse Horizontal](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/Lorien%20Wood%20School_Reverse%20Horizontal.svg "Lorien Wood School_Reverse Horizontal")](https://www.lorienwood.org/) [![Lorien Wood School\_Reverse Horizontal](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/Lorien%20Wood%20School_Reverse%20Horizontal.svg "Lorien Wood School_Reverse Horizontal")](https://www.lorienwood.org/) - ABOUT US - [Mission, Vision, & History](https://www.lorienwood.org/mission-vision-history) - [Our Distinctives](https://www.lorienwood.org/distinctives) - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.lorienwood.org/faculty-staff) - [Board of Trustees](https://www.lorienwood.org/board-of-trustees) - [FAQs](https://www.lorienwood.org/faqs) - [Employment](https://www.lorienwood.org/employment) - ACADEMICS - [Educational Philosophy](https://www.lorienwood.org/educational-philosophy) - [Form System & Curriculum](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-system-curriculum) - [Junior Kindergarten](https://www.lorienwood.org/junior-kindergarten) - [Form 1: K & 1st Grade](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-1) - [Form 2: 2nd & 3rd Grade](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-2) - [Form 3: 4th & 5th Grade](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-3) - [Form 4: Middle School](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-4) - [High School](https://www.lorienwood.org/high-school) - [Experiential Learning](https://www.lorienwood.org/experiential-learning) - ADMISSIONS - [Admissions Process](https://www.lorienwood.org/admissions) - [Visit Us](https://www.lorienwood.org/school-tours) - [Tuition & Financial Aid](https://www.lorienwood.org/tuition) - [Our Blog](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood) - [Request Information](https://www.lorienwood.org/request-information) - STUDENT LIFE - [Athletics](https://www.lorienwood.org/athletics) - [Outdoor Learning](https://www.lorienwood.org/outdoor-learning) - [Studio Art](https://www.lorienwood.org/studio-art) - [Reading Lists](https://www.lorienwood.org/student-reading-page) - [Harvest Blessing Festival](https://www.lorienwood.org/harvest-blessing-festival) - PARENTS - [Parental Service](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents) - [Calendar](https://www.lorienwood.org/calendar) - [TRIP](https://www.lorienwood.org/trip) - [Uniforms](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents#uniforms) - [Family Portal](https://sis.factsmgt.com/accounts/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Faccounts%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DidsrvCode%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fsis.factsmgt.com%252Faccounts%252Fdashboard%252Fcallback%26state%3DztBQXdsyN_H1zTJ2FXNjiH6IZ6yg2A0XjAqlfkXJ_z8%26nonce%3DEtDDEDRjzyCOE1tnRLIYqWVzdh_PYdfKsPW8Bl7AbJw%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26code_challenge%3Dp247BKfCnPnJxw2txWmZt4e8pynTIox1yv2mpzgdaEI%253D%26code_challenge_method%3DS256) - [School Forms](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents#School_Forms) - [Parent Reading List](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents#Parent_Reading_List) - GIVING - [How to Give](https://www.lorienwood.org/giving) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - ABOUT US - [Mission, Vision, & History](https://www.lorienwood.org/mission-vision-history) - [Our Distinctives](https://www.lorienwood.org/distinctives) - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.lorienwood.org/faculty-staff) - [Board of Trustees](https://www.lorienwood.org/board-of-trustees) - [FAQs](https://www.lorienwood.org/faqs) - [Employment](https://www.lorienwood.org/employment) - ACADEMICS - [Educational Philosophy](https://www.lorienwood.org/educational-philosophy) - [Form System & Curriculum](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-system-curriculum) - [Junior Kindergarten](https://www.lorienwood.org/junior-kindergarten) - [Form 1: K & 1st Grade](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-1) - [Form 2: 2nd & 3rd Grade](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-2) - [Form 3: 4th & 5th Grade](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-3) - [Form 4: Middle School](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-4) - [High School](https://www.lorienwood.org/high-school) - [Experiential Learning](https://www.lorienwood.org/experiential-learning) - ADMISSIONS - [Admissions Process](https://www.lorienwood.org/admissions) - [Visit Us](https://www.lorienwood.org/school-tours) - [Tuition & Financial Aid](https://www.lorienwood.org/tuition) - [Our Blog](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood) - [Request Information](https://www.lorienwood.org/request-information) - STUDENT LIFE - [Athletics](https://www.lorienwood.org/athletics) - [Outdoor Learning](https://www.lorienwood.org/outdoor-learning) - [Studio Art](https://www.lorienwood.org/studio-art) - [Reading Lists](https://www.lorienwood.org/student-reading-page) - [Harvest Blessing Festival](https://www.lorienwood.org/harvest-blessing-festival) - PARENTS - [Parental Service](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents) - [Calendar](https://www.lorienwood.org/calendar) - [TRIP](https://www.lorienwood.org/trip) - [Uniforms](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents#uniforms) - [Family Portal](https://sis.factsmgt.com/accounts/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Faccounts%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DidsrvCode%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fsis.factsmgt.com%252Faccounts%252Fdashboard%252Fcallback%26state%3DztBQXdsyN_H1zTJ2FXNjiH6IZ6yg2A0XjAqlfkXJ_z8%26nonce%3DEtDDEDRjzyCOE1tnRLIYqWVzdh_PYdfKsPW8Bl7AbJw%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26code_challenge%3Dp247BKfCnPnJxw2txWmZt4e8pynTIox1yv2mpzgdaEI%253D%26code_challenge_method%3DS256) - [School Forms](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents#School_Forms) - [Parent Reading List](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents#Parent_Reading_List) - GIVING - [How to Give](https://www.lorienwood.org/giving) [Facebook](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#0) [Instagram](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#0) [Linkedin](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#0) [X](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#0) [YouTube](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#0) [Medium](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler#0) 1 min read # 5 Books to Inspire Your Middle Schooler! [![Picture of Tacye Clarke](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/Faculty%20Photos/Tacye%20Clarke.jpg) Tacye Clarke](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/author/tacye-clarke) : Published August 21, 2024 Updated September 26, 2024 [Classical Education](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/classical-education) [parent involvement](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/parent-involvement) ![5 Books to Inspire Your Middle Schooler!](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/pexels-mccutcheon-1148399%20(2).jpeg) At Lorien Wood, we value good books and encourage our students to develop a reading life of their own. In Form 4 (7th & 8th grade), students do a deep dive into the history of the world and enter imaginatively into the lives of people in other times and countries. These recommendations are meant to help students enter into engaging stories and put themselves in the shoes of others while getting a taste of some of the challenges of other time periods.  We hope these titles will spark your middle schooler's love for reading and bring joy to their literary adventures! 1\. Bomb by Steve Sheikin This book reads like a thriller! It’s an excellent history of the race to build the atomic bomb and the espionage that swirled around the German, British, Russian, and American bomb programs. 2\. The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp Maria von Trapp tells her family’s experience of learning how to take joy in family life after she marries the widowed father of seven. This book provides a delightful depiction of life in pre-World War II Austria. It also recounts the family’s experience as immigrants to America and the re-creation of their family life as Americans. 3\. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy An aristocratic woman has no idea that her English husband is involved in the daring effort to rescue French aristocrats from the guillotine. This adventure takes readers into the tumultuous days of the bloody French Revolution. 4\. Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown A true story of grit and resilience, this book tells the story of the creation of the 1936 American Olympic men’s rowing team. It’s a beautiful reminder of how we grow through hard experiences. Brown has also written an adapted version for younger readers.  5\. God of the Fairy Tale by Jim Ware Fairy Tales, like many fantasy stories or folktales, often express deep human experiences and longings that echo the Christian story. Jim Ware traces these connections and helps readers see the deeper truth embedded in fairy tales. We love to cultivate reading here at Lorien Wood, a Christian school in Northern Virginia, and hope this list inspires your family to read!   ##### [Check out our library of leisure reading book lists!](https://www.lorienwood.org/student-reading-page)   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Compelling Leisure Reads for High Schoolers](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/pexels-pixabay-159866.jpg)](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/compelling-leisure-reads-for-high-schoolers) #### [Compelling Leisure Reads for High Schoolers](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/compelling-leisure-reads-for-high-schoolers) [![Picture of Lynnette Fields](https://www.lorienwood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Faculty%20Photos/Lynnette%20Fields.jpg?width=30&name=Lynnette%20Fields.jpg) Lynnette Fields](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/author/lynnette-fields) : Aug 21, 2024, 12:45:13 PM Reading Lists for High schoolers [Charlotte Mason](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/charlotte-mason) [Classical Education](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/classical-education) [Read More](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/compelling-leisure-reads-for-high-schoolers) [![How Our Vienna Private School Makes Christian Education Affordable for Families](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/image0%20(4).jpeg)](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/how-our-vienna-private-school-makes-christian-education-affordable-for-families) #### [How Our Vienna Private School Makes Christian Education Affordable for Families](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/how-our-vienna-private-school-makes-christian-education-affordable-for-families) [![Picture of Amy Butcher](https://www.lorienwood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Faculty%20Photos/Amy%20Butcher.jpg?width=30&name=Amy%20Butcher.jpg) Amy Butcher](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/author/amy-butcher) : Apr 9, 2025, 1:02:50 PM Discover how Lorien Wood, a Vienna private school, makes Christ-centered education accessible through its community-driven Variable Tuition program. [Classical Education](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/classical-education) [parent involvement](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/parent-involvement) [Read More](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/how-our-vienna-private-school-makes-christian-education-affordable-for-families) [![Letting Our Children Struggle (On Purpose): Forming Stalwart Hearts for a Noble Adventure](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos/IMG_9289-min.jpg)](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/letting-our-children-struggle-on-purpose-forming-stalwart-hearts-for-a-noble-adventure) #### [Letting Our Children Struggle (On Purpose): Forming Stalwart Hearts for a Noble Adventure](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/letting-our-children-struggle-on-purpose-forming-stalwart-hearts-for-a-noble-adventure) [![Picture of Amy Butcher](https://www.lorienwood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Faculty%20Photos/Amy%20Butcher.jpg?width=30&name=Amy%20Butcher.jpg) Amy Butcher](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/author/amy-butcher) : Dec 11, 2025, 5:00:00 AM Blog article describing Lorien Wood's mission statement to produce stalwart leaders in the world that can endure challenges they will face in the... [Integral Learning](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/integral-learning) [parent involvement](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/parent-involvement) [experiential learning](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/tag/experiential-learning) [Read More](https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/letting-our-children-struggle-on-purpose-forming-stalwart-hearts-for-a-noble-adventure) Academics Academics - [Form System & Curriculum](https://www.lorienwood.org/form-system-curriculum) - [Educational Philosophy](https://www.lorienwood.org/educational-philosophy) - [Our Distinctives](https://www.lorienwood.org/distinctives) - [FAQs](https://www.lorienwood.org/faqs) Admissions Admissions - [Admissions](https://www.lorienwood.org/admissions) - [Visit Campus](https://www.lorienwood.org/school-tours) - [Request Information](https://www.lorienwood.org/request-information) Parents Parents - [Family Portal](https://accounts.renweb.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DfamilyPortalCode%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ffamilyportal.renweb.com%252Fsignin-oidc%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%2520familyPortalUserInfo%2520familyPortalUserConfig%2520offline_access%2520ftApi%26code_challenge%3DfnBfdIahTVR_0kwVd14HGUyCla7gZGS7CPhlAsBMJiY%26code_challenge_method%3DS256%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26nonce%3D638840530982090322.YWM2MmYxZDItNGM2Zi00NmU2LWFiNTgtYWQzN2VhYTQyN2E0ZWY3MDg5ZmUtOWIwMy00ZDM5LTg5NzYtOWQ3MGFjZTg3Yzhh%26state%3DCfDJ8Lq1N5Cgm6tFnilnlNGlkcE7HJ57Gygpa_t0OWRxS-BY16zFQI_OAbOEMIc0RPWq5dm9R5xMPhYBc8n5G_SMGJsHahfCCI71fw35TiNrR8WazTSFierSIZFJghgb0HURKY2tSHoVC-ubSb5tvJa7THTgSkJAZjF29F36mE_-TW_ZLdyVY3VdvEMmHJ8Sxhm1ED7I-ijzI22mmCXC0dRiYzqwmsLIxZ2sWtuoGBnrp-B7z1m9JAYro4FoHSdEFzvxrLczMd2qDnRTgPq4svmpG5ozn0Qn6s9sORMzrF6QB59icabDyMPB3ViYZfhX5w6s0AhNGuI5_pRyxAf2Vbd9_YVXidDYL7i0j4MdgQZJZVtJnYzPyzSksemLtqMccSBNVJh9rfRJrnBwzdmWjG9ed9-sNDuub-JIh_Xffp7DoCfZEHS32_IxI2BaNcOCqPHqIaLD4omvsS3lXaaxRAFDyUI%26x-client-SKU%3DID_NET6_0%26x-client-ver%3D6.35.0.0) - [Student Reading Lists](https://www.lorienwood.org/student-reading-page) - [Parental Service](https://www.lorienwood.org/parents) [![Lorien Wood School\_Reverse Emblem](https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/Lorien%20Wood%20School_Reverse%20Emblem.svg)](https://www.lorienwood.org) - 8200 Bell Lane Vienna, VA 22182 - Main Office: 703-854-1640 - Email: office@lorienwood.org © 2026 Lorien Wood School All Rights Reserved [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/lorienwoodschool)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lorienwoodschool/) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tacye Clarke", "url" : "https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/author/tacye-clarke" }, "dateModified" : "2024-09-26T18:14:35.823Z", "datePublished" : "2024-08-21T16:43:38.000Z", "headline" : "5 Books to Inspire Your Middle Schooler!", "image" : [ "https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/pexels-mccutcheon-1148399%20(2).jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.lorienwood.org/hubfs/Lorien%20Wood%20School_Green%20Horizontal.svg" } } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tacye Clarke", "url" : "https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/author/tacye-clarke" } ], "dateModified" : "2024-09-26T18:14:35Z", "datePublished" : "2024-08-21T16:43:38Z", "description" : "5 books to inspire your middle school students to read! We want to help kids to value reading and develop flourishing reading lives. ", "headline" : "5 Books to Inspire Your Middle Schooler!", "image" : [ "https://44614567.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44614567/pexels-mccutcheon-1148399%20%282%29.jpeg" ], "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : "Classical Education, parent involvement", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.lorienwood.org/the-fellowship-of-learning-adventures-in-education-at-lorien-wood/5-books-to-inspire-your-middle-schooler", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Lorien Wood" } } ```