valentine's day books for middle grade readers

Confession: Valentine’s Day is my least favorite holiday.

I think it’s nerdy. I think it’s cheesy. I think it’s unnecessarily stressful.

Don’t get me wrong–I’m all about making homemade Valentines, rocking Valentine’s Day Class Parties and eating fondue as a family; I just think the chocolate and flower gift-giving is annoying.

And I really love chocolate, and I really love flowers.

So instead of buying your kids chocolate that they don’t need and instead of buying flowers they don’t want, I have an idea.

How about buying your kids some books for Valentine’s Day?

Or how about heading to the library and picking up a bunch of books for them that they can read this week? This heart-filled, pink and red week?

Add a literacy twist, and Valentine’s Day takes on a whole different spin. In my mind, at least.

So because I have three middle graders under my roof, I thought I’d share some Valentine’s Day books for middle graders. That is, books for the 8-11 year old set.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Valentine’s Day Books for Middle Grader Readers:

The first three sets are recommended for grades 3-6; the last four are for slightly older readers.

1. Valentine’s Day from the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler and illustrated by Jared D. Lee

2. How to Drive Your Family Crazy on Valentine’s Day, by Dean Marney

3. Star Wars: A Very Vader Valentine’s Day, by Trey King

4. The Valentine’s Day Disaster, by Brandi Dougherty

5. 23 Ways to Mess Up Valentine’s Day, by Valerie Wilson Wesley

6. The Valentine Star, by Patricia Reilly Giff

7. Abby’s Un-Valentine , by Ann M. Martin

8. Valentine Frankenstein, by Maggie Twohill

9. Candy Apple #22: The Sweetheart Deal Special Edition, by Holly Kowitt

10. Roses Are Dread, Violets Are Boo!: A Vampire Valentine Story, by Michelle Poploff

11. My Weird School Special: Oh, Valentine, We’ve Lost Our Minds!, by Dan Gutman

12. Love Stinks!, by Nancy E. Krulik

13. Four Stupid Cupids, by Gregory Maguire

14. Heart to Heart With Mallory, by Laurie B. Friedman

15. Candy Apple #7: Totally Crushed, by Eliza Willard

16. The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 7), by Jeff Kinney

17. Valentine Princess, by Meg Cabot

18. Crush: Stories, by Ellen Conford

19. Mates, Dates, And Cosmic Kisses, by Cathy Hopkins (or get the whole series!)

20. It’s Happy Bunny #1: Love Bites, by Jim Benton

What am I missing? I’d love to hear what Valentines books are your faves for this age group.

Want a few more fun Valentine’s Day ideas? Check out:

middle grade vs young adult novels scholastic teachmama pinterest

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