It’s that time of year when everyone is sharing their best-of lists, so I thought I’d share my favorite new release middle grade reads from 2025 (not counting my own books, of course). Let me know if you read any good ones that I missed!
Grin, by D.W. Gillespie
My favorite new release book of the year! Grin definitely gets a lot darker than other middle grade horror books — after all, it features an arcade game possessed by the soul of a serial killer! It has great creepy scenes and is a lot of fun, especially for kids who are into video games. A real page-turner that kept me fully engaged from start to finish.
It’s Watching, by Lindsay Currie
Grin may have been my new release of the year, but It’s Watching is a close second. Lindsay Currie has written a lot of great books blending ghosts, mysteries, and history, and this is my favorite of hers yet. This one feels spookier than her other books, which is probably part of why I liked it so much. It definitely has elements that are reminiscent of The Ring!
The Experiment, by Rebecca Stead
I wasn’t the only one releasing alien-themed books in 2025! Following Nathan’s journey of self-discovery was a lot of fun. The book did a good job of balancing his personal reflections and discoveries with a twisty and fast-paced narrative. It offers a fun and unique take on what aliens could be like, and successfully pulls off a sci-fi story that takes place entirely on modern-day Earth.
Away, by Megan E. Freeman
This companion book to Alone follows four kids who have been relocated to a camp after a large-scale evacuation of Colorado. This book takes place at the same time as Alone, and sees four kids with very different backgrounds come together to figure out the truth behind why they were evacuated in the first place. I really liked the way each kid’s voice was presented in a different format (screenplay, poetry, etc), which helped keep this quick-paced and engaging throughout.
Blood in the Water, by Tiffany D. Jackson
You don’t often see murder mysteries in modern middle grade, but Blood in the Water manages to pull this off while still being appropriate for a middle grade audience. Even though the mystery sometimes takes a back seat to Kaylani navigating her summer on Martha’s Vineyard with some snobby family friends, the book does a good job of building tension during different scenes.