1000 Lexile Books for Middle School

Finding books that your child will enjoy that are also challenging can be a little more difficult than you might think. Advanced reading books are fun for your child, but locating 1000 Lexile level books takes some research.

We’ve compiled some of the top 1000 Lexile books for middle school students, so you can make sure that your student is off on the right track and getting books that they can really learn from. These books will test their skills and help them become even stronger readers overall.

How to Find Your Child’s Lexile Level?

First, how do you know that you even need 1100 Lexile books for middle school? How do you know what your child’s Lexile level even is? The first step is to work with your child’s teacher or school. Often, they will do reading tests, and this will help determine the reading level your child has.

Once you know their reading level, you can help them find good books in the 1000 Lexile range, or whatever their level might be. This includes both fiction and non-fiction books with 1000 Lexile. After all, while your child can learn a lot from challenging books in the non-fiction section, they’ll have a lot of fun with the fiction books as well.

Recommended Books with 1000 Lexile

If you’re looking for some of the top books that are 1000 Lexile level, you may want to look at both non-fiction and fiction books. We’re going to talk about more of the non-fiction books in the next section, but here we’re going to take a look at some of the top fiction books to consider.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott has created several books that rank among the top classics, and while Eight Cousins may not be as well known as some of her others, it most definitely deserves to be read. Eight Cousins is a story of just that, a group of cousins and their lives together.

Alcott doesn’t just offer a traditional story of a young girl in the late 1800s but instead gives that young girl the same spirit, spunk, and adventure that her characters are famous for.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Touch of nostalgia and fun to a story of family and friendship
• Explores the concepts of loss and overcoming adversity in a healthy way

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Written in the same style as Alcott’s other books, it pulls you into the story with realistic elements from long ago
• Challenges the ways and beliefs of society at the time and encourages self-thought and expression

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The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

A twist on the old story of Alice in Wonderland, The Looking Glass Wars is all about young Alice who has been evicted from her homeland and must now strive to live in England. But not only that, she must figure out a way to get back to her own time and her own world to save her kingdom.

While many may love the old story, the idea that there might be more to what we’ve been told all along is definitely intriguing and will draw you into this life of action and intrigue.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• A unique version of a fun story that has been around for a long time
• Filled with battles, action, and adventure along the way

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• The start of a series of books that will draw you into a unique story
• Great for children of different ages as well as boys and girls both

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The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket knows what he’s doing when it comes to creating stories that intrigue readers and make them want to keep going. The Slippery Slope is one of thirteen books in the Series of Unfortunate Events series and tells the tale of three orphan children overcoming impossible odds.

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are relatable characters that you can’t help but feel captivated by. Not only that, but The Slippery Slope presents the villains in a way that you can’t help but follow along and want to see even more.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Features three ordinary children who use their gifts and strengths to accomplish impossible things
• Showcases overcoming obstacles and evil from unlikely sources

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Part of a series of unique stories told about some interesting children that are easy to relate to
• Provides a unique and fun story that doesn’t always end with happily ever after

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Best Non-fiction Books for Middle School with 1000 Lexile

Next, we’re going to take a look at some of the top non-fiction books that rank at or near 1000 Lexile. These are books that are going to help your young reader learn something new and explore areas of interest while also challenging them and their reading skills.

Biographies with 1000 Lexile

Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille by Russell Freedman

Overcoming obstacles is hard for anyone, and when it comes to people, you can look up to Louis Braille is one of them. Out of Darkness is the story of how this man created Braille and changed the world for the blind community. Freedman tells the story in an interesting way that helps any reader to learn the lessons of the story.

Not only that but Out of Darkness is a biographical story that can get your child more interested in learning about other people and experiences.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Inspirational story of a man who didn’t let his disability stop him
• Tells a personal experience of growth and human spirit

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Presents a historical person in the context of someone that is real and relatable
• Takes a subject students may not think about and shows them how new experiences and opportunities happen

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Cleopatra by Diane Stanley

Learning about ancient cultures can be a fun and unique experience for any student, and Cleopatra is a story that will definitely take them to somewhere entirely new. Stanley explores the life and achievements of a young queen who achieved great things for Egypt. Not only that, but Cleopatra has spurred stories and fables throughout even modern times.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Explores the world during ancient times with a truthful rendition of what the world was like
• Delves into the story of a powerful, brave, intelligent woman who did everything possible to improve her country

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Presents a historical story in a way that younger children can understand but also enjoy
• Beautiful images accompany the story to help truly immerse yourself in it

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Young Abe Lincoln by Cheryl Harness

Much is said about Abe Lincoln, but what do we really know about him and his life? Harness explores all of this and more in Young Abe Lincoln. You’ll explore the story of his earlier years as well as what actually helped lead him to public office. Young Abe Lincoln is a story that makes a historical figure feel more real and relatable.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Makes Abe Lincoln feel more like a real person to a younger audience
• Presents the way that Lincoln’s life shaped who he would become

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Offers images as well as the story to make the stories more interesting and immersive
• Explores the life of someone who would go on to change the entire course of the country

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History Books with 1000 Lexile

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Learning about history is always important, but it can be difficult to get children interested, which is where The Boy in the Striped Pajamas can help. This story of the truth of the Holocaust told through the eyes of a child on the other side is sweet, emotional, and informative for younger children to understand the truth of what happened.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a story of friendship, but in ways that many never considered. Not only that, but you’ll witness the world in entirely new ways after reading.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Offers a different perspective of the events of the Holocaust from a child outside of the events
• Explores the themes of love and friendship in unlikely ways and between unlikely people

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Story is told in a way that appeals to younger audiences but does not hide the truth
• Made into a movie that can reinforce the story and the learning of the book

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When Will This Cruel War Be Over? by Barry Denenberg

The Dear America series is one that explores a range of different historical events that took place within the country, and When Will This Cruel War Be Over is no exception. Denenberg dives into the truth of the Civil War and presents it from the point of view of a fictional girl living in Virginia.

Other books in the Dear America series take on different periods in history and different large events through the eyes of children and teens for a fresh perspective.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Takes a look at real events that occurred during American history in an interesting way
• Presents history through the eyes of a young girl, making it more relatable for younger readers

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Written in a diary entry form for a more comprehensive look at life for a teen turning this era
• Informative and enlightening for students about a terrible time in history

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Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

While the Diary of Anne Frank is one that many people have heard of, there is definitely more to be learned by reading the story. Frank tells everything as it happened to her and explores the good and the bad within her family and the world at a time in history that many don’t want to discuss.

Anne Frank is brutally honest in a story that was never meant to be public but truly needs to be heard.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Presents history from the point of view of a young girl to make it more relatable
• Explores the day to day reality for a young girl and her family living in hiding

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• The information is not only presented from a new point of view but is actually completely factual rather than historical based fiction
• Expands on what we know and are able to learn about Anne Frank after the diary ends

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Science & Math with 1000 Lexile

Bizarre Dinosaurs by Christopher Sloan

For those who love everything there is to know about dinosaurs, Bizarre Dinosaurs will introduce you to even more. Sloan explores many of the dinosaurs that aren’t as popular or well known but lets you understand and explore just who they were and what they were capable of.

There’s no end to the amazing creatures that once roamed the earth, and the dinosaurs in Bizarre Dinosaurs are only scratching the surface.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Presents a fun topic for children who are interested in the subject to get them wanting to read
• Looks at lesser-known dinosaurs to expand overall knowledge

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Can be used for fun reading or even in classes to promote the subject
• Get a new perspective on the creatures that were alive all those years ago and shaped our current world

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Biomimicry: Inventions Inspired by Nature by Dora Lee

There are many things in our world that come from things in nature, and Biomimicry is all about exploring them. You’ll get to see more about the unique ways nature has taught us what we need in order to achieve what we want in our world and what type of inventions have actually done it.

The world around us has a whole lot to teach us, and we’ve only just started to understand what some of those things are.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Exciting and fun to read for amateur inventors and those interested in science
• Explores the way that the natural world has impacted the rest of our world

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• See some of the amazing things about nature and the creatures that make it up
• Learn how inventors can take something around them and turn it into something entirely new

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Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science by Susan Hughes

If you’re interested in unsolved mysteries, this is a great book that explores how science can be applied. While the mystery may not be solved, you’ll get the chance to look at it from an entirely different point of view and recognize just what might have been in front of our eyes the entire time.

Mysteries encourage a lot of thought, expanding horizons, and most definitely improving the fun of looking at things in new ways.

Why Choose this 1000 Lexile Book:

• Looks at some of the greatest unsolved mysteries of our history
• Applies the scientific method and other aspects of science to see what may be uncovered

What Makes this 1000 Lexile Book Unique:

• Great for students who love solving mysteries
• Promotes reasoning, evaluation of evidence, critical thinking, and more

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How to Choose the Best 1000 Lexile Books for Middle School

When it comes to choosing the best Lexile books for a middle school student, the most important thing is that it’s going to be fun to read. Children most definitely want a book that capitalizes on their interests, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction.

The best thing to do is take a look at the interests of the individual and start from there. It can help to discuss with the student what they like best or what they want to learn more about. Then, look for high-level reading books that will explore those topics.

A quick search online for the topic you want and the reading level that you’re looking for will help you to find something that your child will want to read, and that will also help push them to challenge their reading skills a little more.

Wrapping Things Up: 1000 Lexile Books for Middle School

When it comes to finding the best books for your middle school student to read, you want to think about what they like most, and whether that’s fiction or non-fiction, history of science, you can find a whole lot of options out there.

The Slippery Slope and the rest of the Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket can be fun and provide a more unique storyline that keeps them going (plus there’s a TV show to check out as well.

Out of Darkness is a great biography that will show them how to overcome obstacles and how one person can make a huge change for our entire world, such as Braille’s creation of a new way of communicating.

Out of the history section, Diary of a Young Girl gives a firsthand look at one of the greatest atrocities in our history. And looks at it from the point of view of someone that is very much like them to make it even more relatable.

Finally, in the science section, you can check out Case Closed, which explores some of the unsolved mysteries that many have wondered about but no one has yet been able to solve to promote critical thinking and problem-solving.

There are plenty of great books out there, and these only barely scratch the surface. So make sure you’re looking at some additional books in this reading level and as your child gets even stronger with their skills.