Bored at home? Try these discounted middle grade e-books!
Photo from Annie Spratt on Unsplash.
Prices subject to change.
If your middle-schoolers are bored while stuck at home, we have you covered! We rounded up our very best e-book deals happening now so you can spend less and they can stay entertained. Enjoy!
What kind of book are you looking for? Jump to the sections by clicking one of the links below:
- For fans of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events series
- For the kid who loves sports
- For the budding artist
- For the aspiring novelist
- For those who dream big
- For the STEM Reader
- To Combat Your Screen Time Battles: Books That Play Like Video Games
- For the inventor
- For the horror fan
For fans of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events series:
Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle
“A whimsical mystery with a lot of heart and spine-tingling illustrations, this novel will circulate as soon as children open it.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
A beautifully illustrated, action-packed middle grade adventure in the spirit of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.
Buy the e-book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
Warren the 13th and the Whispering Woods by Tania Del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle
“Del Rio delivers another rollicking adventure with this sequel…Staehle’s abundant etchinglike illustrations play on the story’s humor and drama, resulting in a mystery that is fresh and imaginative.”—Booklist
Twelve-year-old Warren has learned that his beloved hotel can walk, and now it’s ferrying guests around the countryside, transporting tourists to strange and foreign destinations. But when an unexpected detour brings everyone into the dark and sinister Malwoods, Warren finds himself separated from his hotel and his friends — and racing after them on foot through a forest teeming with witches, snakes, talking trees, and mind-boggling riddles. Once again, you can expect stunning illustrations and gorgeous design from Will Staehle on every page — along with plenty of nonstop action and adventure!
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
For the kid who loves sports:
Kid Athletes by David Stabler, illustrated by Doogie Horner
“Inspiring and entertaining, Kid Athletes isn't just for sports fans.”—Booklist, starred review
Through colorful illustrations and kid-relatable subjects like battling back bullies, Kid Athletes tells 18 true tales from the childhoods of the world's greatest athletes from Bruce Lee to Julie Krone to other budding sports champions.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
For the budding artist:
Kid Artists by David Stabler, illustrated by Doogie Horner
“For budding artists, here’s a heartening reminder that 17 unconventional greats—not to mention all the rest—started out as children too.”—Kirkus Reviews
Through colorful illustrations and kid-relatable subjects like sibling rivalry, Kid Artists tells 17 true tales from the childhoods of the world's most timeless artists from Yoko Ono to Jacob Lawrence to Emily Carr.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
For the aspiring novelist:
Kid Authors by David Stabler, illustrated by Doogie Horner
"Creative, comprehensive, and crammed with full-color photos, On a Stick!, by Matt Armendariz, is, frankly, the most awesome cookbook concept we've come across in a while (and maybe every)."—Grandparents.com
Through colorful illustrations and kid-relatable subjects like watermelon-seed-spitting contests, Kid Authors tells 15 true tales from the childhoods of the world's most celebrated authors from Beverly Cleary to Lewis Carroll to Stan Lee.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
For those who dream big:
Kid Presidents by David Stabler, illustrated by Doogie Horner
“With cartoonish illustrations that will attract fans of Jeff Kinney’s The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Rachel Renée Russell’s The Dork Diaries, this informative offering leaves no presidential childhood rock unturned.”—School Library Journal
Through colorful illustrations and kid-relatable subjects like pulling pranks, Kid Presidents tells 25 true tales from the childhoods of the United States' most well-known presidents from John F. Kennedy to Lyndon B. Johnson to George Washington.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
For the STEM reader:
Kid Scientists by David Stabler, illustrated by Anoosha Syed
“This book is a great way to encourage kids who already love science to pursue their interests as well as to show kids who are not motivated by traditional schooling that there are many paths to greatness.”—American Scientist Magazine
Through colorful illustrations and kid-relatable subjects like naming your favorite stuffed animals, Kid Scientists tells 15 true tales from the childhoods of the world's most brilliant scientists from Ada Lovelace to George Washington Carver to Stephen Hawking.
Buy the e-book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
To Combat Your Screen Time Battles: Books That Play Like Video Games
For fans of Pokemon and Little Witch Academia:
Hocus and Pocus: The Legend of Grimm's Woods (#1) by Manuro and Gorobei
“If you love reading, gaming, and magical animals, you’re going fall head over heels for this brand new graphic novel series.”—YAYOMG!
Enter a world inspired by all of your favorite fairy tales — complete with gingerbread houses, a girl dressed in red, and seven children lost in the woods. Hocus & Pocus offers a new kind of reading experience — part game book, part graphic novel, and part Choose Your Own Adventure story. Readers can play as Hocus (a girl) or Pocus (a boy), choose a magic animal companion, and enter a colorful fairy tale forest of riddles, magical objects, and unusual characters.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
Hocus and Pocus: The Search for the Missing Dwarves (#2) by Gorobei
“An interactive series that will appeal to reluctant readers and anyone who enjoys making a fun story.”—School Library Journal
Cast spells, solve puzzles, rack up sparkling stars, and train your own magical pet in this chooseable-path comic book! In the story, Snow White is worried about her seven cousins, who work in the Heigh-Ho mine. They haven’t come home from work, and she wants you to find them. You’ll need a healthy appetite for adventure—and your magical pet—to track down the missing men and put a stop to the nefarious forces lurking in the forest. Each panel in the story offers one or more possibilities for your next move. Plus a handy Quest Tracker lets you record your victories, note your hard-won prizes, and take care of your pet, making this a book you play just like a game.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
For fans of Dungeons & Dragons and the Wings of Fire graphic novel series:
Knights Club: The Bands of Bravery (#1) by Shuky, Waltch and Novy
“An immersive reading experience full of adventure and fun. The book series really can be enjoyed by all ages since its beautiful storytelling manages to capture its audience young & old alike.”—BioGamer Girl
The year is 1012 in the kingdom of the good king Louilepou. Three brothers dream of joining the Royal Order of Knights: fearless adventurers, able to travel long distances, slay the most dangerous theives, and defend the valorous peasants. And one of these brothers is you! An interactive, pick-your-panel graphic novels for middle grade readers, full of adventure, magic, and fun!
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
Knights Club: The Message of Destiny (#2) by Shuky, Waltch and Novy
“It’s choose your own adventure for the modern generation of kids! As engaging and fun as a video game. And better for development.” – Sussan N., Librarian at Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library
In a medieval age of chivalry and sorcery, you’ve been training hard to become a knight. Now the king has a mission for you: carry a message of the utmost importance to the leader of a neighboring country. But traps and enemies will be numerous on your route! Forge your weapons to make them more powerful, win points collecting magical cards, be victorious in battle, and advance through the levels to become strong enough to bring your mission to a successful end.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
Knights Club: The Buried City (#3) by Shuky, Waltch and Novy
“Wonderfully fun and entertaining.”—Midwest Book Review
After years of dedicated training and adventure, you are finally a full-fledged knight! You are sent on your first official mission by Elliot, a famous merchant. Impressed by your strength and skill, Elliot entrusts you with the search for a list of precious objects, all hidden on a distant island. Can you find all the objects and bring them back? Can you even return alive from this treacherous and mysterious island? Your success depends on your choices alone, because the hero is you!
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
For fans of the Amulet series:
Iron Magicians by Cetrix and Yuio
“The most engaging role-playing experience yet from Comic Quests.”—Dad Suggests
Step inside a steampunk re-imagining of nineteenth-century Paris, where magic and machines exist in harmony. The Eiffel Tower—a secret weapon built with magic—is almost complete, but the crystals that power the structure are missing! Find the hidden crystals and survive your dangerous mission.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
For the inventor:
Nick an Tesla #1: Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
“Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab has the perfect formula: Mega-watts of funny writing plus giga-hertz of hands-on science equals fun to the billionth power!”—Chris Grabenstein, New York Times best selling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
When their parents mysteriously vanish, Nick and Tesla are sent to live with their Uncle Newt, a brilliant inventor who engineers top-secret gadgets for a classified government agency. It’s not long before Nick and Tesla are embarking on adventures of their own—engineering all kinds of outrageous MacGyverish contraptions to save their skin: 9-volt burglar alarms, electromagnets, mobile tracking devices, and more. Readers are invited to join in the fun as each story contains instructions and blueprints for five different projects.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
Nick and Tesla #2: Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
“Another fast-paced mystery and treat for technophiles.”—Kirkus Reviews
In this robot-themed follow-up to Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab, 11-year-old sleuths Nick and Tesla work to catch the local robbers of Half Moon Bay. Illustrated instructions detail how to build four different droids out of ordinary household objects from hoverbots that float above the ground to battlebots that duke it out!
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Nick and Tesla #3: Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
“This high-speed caper with comical characters, clever kid detectives, and an ever-deepening mystery (with a cliff-hanger, of course) will keep the pages turning.”—Booklist
In this third installment, 11-year-old wiz-kids Nick and Tesla discover that someone in the quiet town of Half Moon Bay has placed their beloved Uncle Newt under electronic surveillance. To expose the secret agent, Nick and Tesla must engineer all kinds of outrageous contraptions, from code wheels and fingerprint powder to spy cameras and burglar detectors. Best of all, instructions are included throughout the story, so you can build the projects, too!
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Nick and Tesla #4: Nick and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
“Authors “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith have crafted an action-filled story that pulses with kid humor.”—Georgia Times-Union
Bright siblings — and amateur inventors — Nick and Tesla Holt are back in this fourth installment. With the mystery of the spy's identity solved, the kids face a whole new crop of questions about their parents' mysterious disappearance. To unravel the mystery, they'll have to come up with all-new cyborg gadgets together with their zany scientist Uncle Newt and their friends Silas and DeMarco. In this book, readers will learn how to construct a super-cyborg gadget glove that has four incredible functions: LED signal light, ultra-loud emergency alarm, handy sound recorder, and UV secret message revealer.
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Nick and Tesla #5: Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
“The book gives great behind-the scenes information about making a blockbuster film, including technical terms and insider slang. Kids love movies, a mystery, and projects, and this book provides all three.”—Catholic Library World
Fresh off their last case at the museum, Nick and Tesla — with the help of their zany scientist Uncle Newt and their friends Silas and DeMarco — must use do-it-yourself special effects and movie magic to prevent a Hollywood movie from shutting down production.
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Nick and Tesla #6: Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Shutdown by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
“Science lovers, mystery hounds, and fans of the series will want to follow along to the satisfying conclusion.”—School Library Journal
It's time for super-smart kid inventors Nick and Tesla Holt to crack their biggest mystery yet: where the heck are their parents? With the help of their eccentric Uncle Newt, the twins trace the clues to their missing Mom and Dad, scientists working on solar-power research for a clandestine government project. They’ll need all their wits, along with an assortment of homemade gadgets, to outsmart the criminal mastermind who’s trying to turn solar power into a secret weapon. Featuring instructions for building and using five awesome solar-powered contraptions — a hot dog cooker, alarm bell, listening device, model car, and nighttime LED signal cannon.
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
For the horror fan:
Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1: Professor Gargoyle by Charles Gilman
“Gilman's debut and series kick-off is great fun for fans of light horror. The changing image on the cover will snag interest, and the spookily realistic black-and-white illustrations throughout complete this slick, scary, funny package. [There are] delectable hints of age-appropriate, Lovecraftian otherness…with none of the purple prose.”—Kirkus Reviews
Strange things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School. Rats are leaping from lockers. Students are disappearing. The school library is a labyrinth of secret corridors. And the science teacher is acting very peculiar – in fact, he just might be a monster-in-disguise. Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!
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Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #2: The Slither Sisters by Charles Gilman
“Another slightly creepy, often funny read…[that is] worth a look for fans of Spiderwick and the ever-living Goosebumps."—Kirkus Reviews
In this second novel in the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series, twelve-year-old Robert Arthur and best friends Glenn and Karina come face-to-face with sinister snake-women, a terrifying gate to an alternate dimension, and a haunted mansion full of strange spirits and monstrous beasts.
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Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #3: Teacher's Pest by Charles Gilman
“As always, Gilman punctuates the fast-moving action and gross-out set pieces…with the delicate matters of young friendships."—Booklist
Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is back in this third installment of the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School. With the help of his best friends —the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat — Robert must stop the student council president before the bug-in-disguise infests the entire school.
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Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #4: Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman
“The perfect mix of danger, horror, and humor to keep kids interested without scaring them away completely."—GeekDad.com
In the fourth novel of the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series, A Valentine's Day blizzard traps twelve-year-old Robert Arthur and his companions inside Lovecraft Middle School, forcing them to spend the night and face off against a sinister substitute teacher and an army of abominable beasts.
Buy the e-book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Books A Million | Kobo
