These book recommendations are written at the middle-grade level, but they are ones that I still enjoy even as a younger adult. If you are younger or have an elementary or tween child, these are some good suggestions. What I love about middle-grade content is that it is generally very light and happy, so these are feel-good books.
The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley
This is one of my all-time favorite middle-grade books! If you’re into fairytale tellings, this one is for you. It is the first book in Michael Buckley’s Fairy-Tale Detectives series. Basically, it’s about two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, whose parents disappeared a little while ago. They are sent to live with a long-lost grandmother in a town called Ferryport Landing, and quickly find themselves in the middle of an odd mystery involving a giant. When they learn that they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm and that their stories are actually history, the two girls face the decision of solving the mystery and saving the town, as well as finding out the truth about their parents’ mysterious disappearance.
I absolutely love how this book is a fairytale retelling! It turns all of our favorite, beloved stories into a complicated web of details and fun twists. Prince Charming is the mayor, and the three little pigs are the town’s cops, for example. The book is super interesting because it keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s going to happen next. None of it is expected, and the ending is a cliffhanger that leads into the second book. Even at nineteen years old, I think that these books have very vivid descriptions and are easy to get lost in. I really like Buckley’s writing style and how his content isn’t the normal fairy tales we’re used to. I’ve read this book several times and am working my way through the series again.
I think that this book is perfect for anyone in middle school or up. Due to the darker twist and mysterious nature of the books, I think it might be a little too intense for younger kids. Some of the future books, especially, get weird at points and can be kind of intense. But since this is a mystery series, this is expected. The characters are all really fun, and I especially enjoy reading about Puck, the mischievous fairy boy, as well as the Sisters Grimm.
The books do not contain any swearing or sexual content. They do contain mentions of violence, kidnapping, and giants eating people. This is why I recommend the book for older children or that parents use discretion for younger kids, depending on their sensitivity to scarier content.