Grades 5–8 Edition

Pace-Write-Read for Growing Readers

A curated space for upper elementary and middle school classrooms. Explore chapter books, middle grade novels, and young adult titles paired with Pace-Write-Read craft tools for Grades 5 through 8.

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Grades 5–8 Chapter Books, Middle Grade & YA

Cover of Ain’t It Funny

Teacher's Guide

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Chapter Book

Ain’t It Funny

Margaret Gurevich

Cover of The Broken Edge of the World

Teacher's Guide

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Young Adult

The Broken Edge of the World

Alena Bruzas

Cover of Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel

Teacher's Guide

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Middle Grade

Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel

Laura Terry

Cover of All the Ways to Go

Teacher's Guide

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Middle Grade

All the Ways to Go

Jessie Janowitz

Cover of Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap

Teacher's Guide

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Chapter Book

Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap

Wendy Mass

Cover of Disaster Squad: Hurricane Rescue
2-4

Teacher's Guide

Even young people can make a life-saving difference when they combine courage, preparation, and teamwork during a crisis.

Chapter Book·2-4·Courage, teamwork, and community resilience in the face of natural disaster

Disaster Squad: Hurricane Rescue

Rekha S. Rajan

Cover of Disaster Squad: Tornado Rescue
2-4

Teacher's Guide

Ordinary kids can take extraordinary action when they work together, stay calm, and use their unique skills to help their community.

Chapter Book·2-4·Courage, teamwork, and community resilience in the face of natural disaster.

Disaster Squad: Tornado Rescue

Rekha S. Rajan

Cover of Disaster Squad: Wildfire Rescue
2-4

Teacher's Guide

Real courage is choosing to help others even when a situation feels scary and uncertain.

Chapter Book·2-4·Teamwork, preparedness, and community responsibility in the face of natural disasters.

Disaster Squad: Wildfire Rescue

Rekha S. Rajan

Cover of No Sam! and the Meow of Deception
1-4

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes the truth is hidden behind appearances, so careful readers and careful thinkers look for clues before making judgments.

Chapter Book·1-4·Honesty & Integrity

No Sam! and the Meow of Deception

Drew Daywalt, pictures by Mike Lowery

Cover of The Bletchley Riddle
5-8

Teacher's Guide

Even in times of great danger and uncertainty, ordinary people—including young people—can use intelligence, courage, and persistence to make a meaningful difference.

Middle Grade·5-8·Secrets, truth, and the hidden costs and rewards of keeping or uncovering them during wartime.

The Bletchley Riddle

Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Cover of The Eyes & the Impossible
5-9

Teacher's Guide

True freedom is not the absence of responsibility, but the willingness to use your gifts—your eyes, your voice, your speed—in service of something larger than yourself.

Middle Grade·5-9·Freedom, duty, and the tension between wildness and belonging.

The Eyes & the Impossible

Dave Eggers, Shawn Harris

Cover of Words with Wings

Teacher's Guide

Imagination and daydreaming, often dismissed as distractions, can be transformed into powerful tools for self-expression, resilience, and connection when given language and purpose.

Chapter Book·Finding your voice through imagination during times of family change and personal struggle.

Words with Wings

Nikki Grimes

Cover of Will's Race for Home
4-7

Teacher's Guide

Home is something you fight for, and the journey to find it shapes who you become.

Middle Grade·4-7·Perseverance & Belonging

Will's Race for Home

Jewell Parker Rhodes

Cover of Rebellion 1776
5-8

Teacher's Guide

Revolution begins with ordinary people who dare to question the world around them.

Middle Grade·5-8·Revolution & Identity

Rebellion 1776

Laurie Halse Anderson

Cover of Mouse & His Dog
3-7

Teacher's Guide

Even the smallest among us can be a hero — and true friends look out for each other.

Middle Grade·3-7·Friendship & Kindness

Mouse & His Dog

Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Cover of The Teacher of Nomad Land
5-8

Teacher's Guide

Even in the darkest times, teaching and learning are acts of hope and resistance.

Middle Grade·5-8·Resilience & Hope

The Teacher of Nomad Land

Daniel Nayeri

Cover of The Last Kids on Earth
3-7

Teacher's Guide

True survival relies not just on physical skills, but on the strength and emotional support found within a loyal friendship group.

Chapter Book·3-7·Friendship & Survival

The Last Kids on Earth

Max Brallier, Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Cover of The Winter of the Dollhouse
4-7

Teacher's Guide

Imagination and memory can transform the smallest spaces into entire worlds.

Middle Grade·4-7·Imagination & Memory

The Winter of the Dollhouse

Laura Amy Schlitz

Cover of Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking
1-4

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes the best adventures happen when you least expect them — and with the most unlikely friends.

Chapter Book·1-4·Friendship & Adventure

Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking

Adam Stower

Cover of Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen
2-5

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes the most unlikely heroes capture the hearts of millions and change an industry forever.

Chapter Book·2-5·Animal Stories

Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen

Candace Fleming

Cover of The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade
3-7

Teacher's Guide

Adaptability and critical thinking are essential when facing changing problems that require new solutions.

Chapter Book·3-7·Friendship & Survival

The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade

Max Brallier, Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Cover of The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
3-7

Teacher's Guide

Even the unlikeliest heroes can find purpose and friendship in the most unexpected places.

Middle Grade·3-7·Belonging & Adventure

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

Aubrey Hartman

Cover of Dogtown
3-7

Teacher's Guide

Friendship and belonging can be found in the most unexpected places — and everyone deserves a home.

Middle Grade·3-7·Friendship & Kindness

Dogtown

Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Cover of I Am a Good Dog
3-7

Teacher's Guide

Labels don't define us — we can choose who we want to be, and everyone deserves a chance to be good.

Middle Grade·3-7·Resilience & Courage

I Am a Good Dog

Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Cover of The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli
4-7

Teacher's Guide

Every great journey is measured not in miles but in the people we meet and the stories we carry.

Middle Grade·4-7·Journey & Friendship

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Karina Yan Glaser

Cover of One of Us Is Lying
9-12

Teacher's Guide

Labels and reputations are often destructive oversimplifications of complex human identities.

Young Adult·9-12·Truth, Reputation & Stereotypes

One of Us Is Lying

Karen M. McManus