Best Middle Grade Romance Books (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A reader who finishes one sweet love story and asks for another needs a shelf that keeps up, and this list of the best middle grade romance books is built for exactly that moment. We compared 5 romantic picks on what each listing publishes: format, page count, series position and the listed reading age or grade. Every pick names who it suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Drum Roll, Please by Bigelow	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	It's All in How You Fall by Henning	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Break Up with Me First by Miller	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Stargirl by Spinelli	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Believe by Mathison	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Drum Roll, Please by Bigelow

Lisa Jenn Bigelow·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A summer-camp story of friendship, music and self-discovery with a sapphic romance at its center, for readers 8 to 12.

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Pros

• Friendship, music and self-discovery at summer camp
• 336 pages stated
• Reading age 8 to 12; grade level 3 to 7

Cons

• Centers on a sapphic romance, as the listing's title states, so check it suits the reader
• Reprint edition dated May 14, 2019
• No series information is stated

2

It's All in How You Fall by Henning

Sarah Henning·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A romance for readers listed at 12 years and up, with a grade level of 7 and up.

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Pros

• 320 pages stated
• Reading age 12 years and up; grade level 7 and up
• Published May 31, 2022

Cons

• Reading age 12 years and up, so not for younger readers
• No series information is stated
• No edition is stated

3

Break Up with Me First by Miller

G.F. Miller·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A romance for readers listed at 10 years and up, with grade level 5 to 6.

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Pros

• 288 pages stated
• Reading age 10 years and up; grade level 5 to 6
• Published June 4, 2024

Cons

• No series information is stated
• No edition is stated
• Reading age 10 years and up, so not for younger readers

4

Stargirl by Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of 2 in the Stargirl series, for readers with the listed reading age of 10 to 13 years.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2 in the Stargirl series
• 208 pages stated
• Reading age 10 to 13 (from customers); grade level 7 to 9

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Grade level 7 to 9 runs past the middle grades
• Reprint edition dated May 14, 2002

5

Believe by Mathison

Julie Mathison·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A romance for readers with the listed reading age of 8 to 12 years.

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Pros

• 230 pages stated
• Reading age 8 to 12
• Published May 30, 2020

Cons

• No grade level is stated
• No edition is stated
• No series information is stated

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More picks to compare

• Courtesy of Cupid by JonesFor readers 10 and up, grades 5 to 6Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where given. All 5 picks list a reading age; all but one list a grade level as well. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best middle grade romance books

Match the reading age on the listing

Start with the reading age or grade level the listing prints. Drum Roll, Please gives 8 to 12 years with grade level 3 to 7, while It’s All in How You Fall gives 12 years and up with grade level 7 and up. Browse the middle grade books lists for more options at the right level.

Series or standalone

Check whether the listing names a series. Stargirl is Book 1 of 2, so a reader who loves it can continue; the other listings name no series. A reader between books can try middle grade books about friendship next.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and date: 2 listings are reprints, dated May 14, 2002 and May 14, 2019.
• Check the series position: only Stargirl names one, as Book 1 of 2.
• Check the reading age and grade level against the reader: they run from 8 to 12 years up to 12 years and up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pick is the longest?

Drum Roll, Please lists 336 pages, the most of the 5.

Do any of these start a series?

Stargirl is listed as Book 1 of 2; the other listings name no series.

What reading ages do the listings give?

8 to 12 years for Drum Roll, Please and Believe, 10 to 13 for Stargirl, 10 years and up for Not If You Break Up with Me First, and 12 years and up for It’s All in How You Fall.

Still deciding? Our top pickDrum Roll, Please by Bigelow

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Related lists

See every Middle Grade list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: middle grade books about friendship, middle grade books for reluctant readers and middle grade sports books.