Exceptional Middle Grade Novels (for Kids 9-14) That Deal Well With Mental Health

Psychologist and author Dr. Nancy Bo Flood and I keep a running list of traditionally published fiction for younger readers that we believe deals well with the subject of mental health. We look for literature that takes on mild and severe mental illness—for both a main character or a main character’s loved one or friend; including anxiety, OCD, depression, suicidality, as well LGBTQ issues, PTSD, and even grief (as it can develop into or indicate a mental health issue now or later).

*Download our up-to-date Recommended Young Adult, MG, and Picture Book Mental Health Reads LIST in Word document form here:*

There are scores of great books and more coming every year. You can also access the annotated titles, arranged by mental health subject matter (for middle-grade and YA, Grief, Mental illness, LGBTQ, nonfiction, picture books, etc.) with their covers and full story descriptions at BOOKOLOGY MAGAZINE Reading Lists

Mental Health Books for Middle-Grade Readers: Nonfiction, Grief, Character Mental Health, Family Mental Health. LGBQT

Below are some of our favorite outstanding middle-grade books for kids with BIG emotions. Even if the subject matter doesn't sound chipper, these stories are hopeful and positive--sometimes hilarious--but honest and accurate. They 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 family, community, and/or professional support. Happy reading!

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary Schmidt is about seventh-grader Herc Beal whose recovery after the traumatic loss of both parents in his small Cape Cod town becomes a testament to the power of friends and community (and humor).

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt is about 14-year-old Doug, a “skinny thug” in 1968, who moves to a new town where he struggles and learns to deal with an abusive father, bullying, and his traumatized older brother’s return from Vietnam with grace and humor.

A Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is about 15 -year-old Will whose older brother Shawn was murdered and who must decide if he will avenge the death with his own violence in the course of an elevator ride down through his building.

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow is about 12-year-old Simon who has just moved to Grin & Bear It, Nebraska after being the only kid in his class to survive a school shooting. With wonderful humor, heart, and a great cast of characters, Simon learns how to heal.

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.

Lily and Duncan by Donna Gephart is about the powerful friendship between trans-girl Lily and her newly arrived Dunkin who struggles with bi-polar disorder.

Hey Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt With Family Addiction by Jarret. J. Krosoczka is a graphic novel memoir about the author’s childhood and early teens with an addicted mother and absent father, supported by loving grandparents and his ability to draw.

The Golden Hour by Niki Smith is a graphic novel about middle-school student Manuel traumatized by gun violence who learns to cope with his new anxiety with photography,and helping to raise a calf on his new friend’s Sebastian’s family farm.

The Insiders by Marc Oshiro is about middle school student Hector who is bullied for being gay in his new town and through a strange portal in the janitor’s closet finds two friends from different parts of the country going through their own traumas, who support each other to be 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 12-year-old Daphne 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 12-year-old King 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, 12-year-old Cora 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.