Mental Health Middle Grade Novels For Kids

Here are some of our favorite outstanding middle-grade books for kids with BIG emotions— from the Mental Health in Children’s Literature list that Nancy Bo Flood and I curate. (Downloadable here) Even if the subject matter doesn't sound chipper, these stories are hopeful and positive--sometimes hilarious--but honest and accurate, and provide mirrors for those who need to know they are not alone and windows for those trying to understand them. They also model asking for and receiving different kinds of support. Happy reading!

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is about two girls in foster care, narrated hilariously by ten-year-old Del (short for Delicious). It deals gently with Del’s older sister’s depression and suicidality (PTSD after sexual abuse) and how the two girls learn to advocate for themselves.

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand- Reality and fantasy intertwine in this story about a girl grappling with depression during her parents’ breakup, but who learns to cope with the support of her extended family.

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller is about a girl’s creative efforts to help her (breakable) mother overcome her depression by raising money for a trip to see rare orchids.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps-A girl takes on her body image and her family, and with the help of therapy, learns to accept and love herself for who she is.

The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson is about a boy who struggles with severe OCD and gets professional support to manage it in order to help a neighboring toddler who goes missing.

Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties by Kellye Crocker is about a girl’s introduction to a new state and possible new family as she struggles with anxiety.

Learning to Fall by Sally Englefield is about a girl spending the summer with her father and coming to terms with his addiction and recovery and prior long absence from her life.

King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender- This lovely story is about a young man coming to terms with the grief over the loss of his older brother at the same time he’s struggling with his queer identity in a small Louisiana town.

A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight by Jen White- In this story, a girl grapples and learns to cope with her anxiety, loss of her best friend (who moved away), and a newly arrived uncle in recovery who’s staying with her family.