Finding the right books for middle school readers—kids in grades 6 to 8, or roughly ages 11 to14—can be challenging. When I was a school librarian, middle schoolers would come hurtling into the library, pull picture books off the shelves, sit down on the tiny little kid sofas, and giggle together over childhood favorites. They would also request YA titles on harrowing subjects—terminal illness, heartbreak, war. Usually these were the same kids on different days. They could give you whiplash: cleaning up nicely for a dance and looking ready to head off to college but spiraling like kindergartners when they had a tough day. A “just right” book for this age range is something to rejoice over, especially in a YA market that includes so many adult readers. The following books, which encompass diverse formats, genres, and topics, meet middle schoolers right where they are.

Dropping Beats by Nathanael Lessore (Little, Brown, February 11): Shaun “Growls” Thompson, a 13-year-old Black boy from London with musical aspirations, hopes to win a rap competition with bestie Shanks. But even though everything in Growls’ life starts falling apart, his (often unintentionally) hilarious narration and utterly charming demeanor keep this heartfelt story upbeat and sincere.

D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. by Abby White (Levine Querido, August 5): In this raw, honest work, 14-year-old D.J. and her mom move to small-town Ohio to support her cousin Rachel’s family. Convinced that Rachel’s death was murder, not suicide, D.J. starts investigating. Studying for her bat mitzvah and grappling with the meaning of her Torah portion help bring closure.

In the Company of Wolves by Antonio Farías (Piñata Books/Arte Público, September 9): To help ease Mamá’s financial challenges after Papi is killed in the Vietnam War, seventh grader Jaime leaves New York to spend the summer with Abuela and Tío Julio on their New Mexico ranch. This thoughtful, introspective story explores family, nature, and what it means to become a man.

Pizza Witch by Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins, illustrated by Sarah Graley (Skybound, September 16): What better use of witchy talents is there than making the perfect pizza? Pink-haired Roxy and her fluffy black cat are the stars of this fun-filled graphic novel. A pizza warlock sends the adorable duo off on a quest to find the Remarkable Oregano, leading to lively adventures.

Red Threads: A Witch's Tale, written and illustrated by ila Nguyen-Hayama (Abrams Fanfare, October 28): After 15-year-old Hana rescues a crow, she’s rewarded with a scholarship to a magical boarding school located on a remote island far from her Tokyo home. There she gets caught up in a fight against evil in this richly atmospheric, manga-influenced graphic novel that’s infused with Japanese folklore.

Under the London Sky by Anna Woltz, translated by Michele Hutchinson (Rock the Boat/Oneworld, November 4): This work by a prolific Dutch author transports readers to London during the Blitz, vividly showing the realities of wartime life. Fourteen-year-old Ella, left with a limp after recovering from polio, finds camaraderie among new friends, each of them seeking to break free from societal constraints.

Laura Simeon is a young readers’ editor.