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That Was Unexpected!

Try these middle grade titles with plot twists and surprises.

User from Calgary Public Library

10 items

  • Acclaimed and bestselling author Kate Messner's Chirp follows a girl named Mia as she navigates a summer of mysteries. While staying with her grandmother over the summer months, Mia learns that someone might be sabotaging her grandmother's cricket…
    Book, 2020New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, ©2020. — J MES
  • Twelve-year old Michael and his babysitter Gibby meet an unexpectedly cool and laidback teenage boy named Ridge- who appears out of nowhere and also claims to be a time traveler! While getting to know Ridge, Michael discovers that he might just be…
    Book, 2024New York : Greenwillow Books, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, ©2024. — J KEL
  • Shannon Messenger's popular Keeper of the Lost Cities is reimagined in graphic novel format, beginning with volume one of the series opener. Go on an epic adventure with protagonists Sophie and Fitz as they uncover life-changing abilities about…
    Book, 2012New York : Aladdin, c2012. — J MES
  • Big Nate creator Lincoln Peirce brings readers a delightful trilogy of dangerous yet delightful quests and plucky knights with the series opener, Max & the Midknights. When Max's uncle is suddenly kidnapped by a terrifying king,…
    Book, 2019New York : Crown Books for Young Readers, 2019, ©2019. — J PEI
  • Murder is Bad Manner is the acclaimed series debut of the Wells & Wong mystery series from English author Robin Stevens. Classmates Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong form a (secret) detective agency at their boarding school and find themselves in over…
    Book, 2014New York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2014. — J STE
  • Cartoonist and author Alina Tysoe brings readers a fantastically exciting, laugh-out-loud, and surprising graphic novel with My Sister the Werebeast. Littlest sister Peanut, along with bigger sisters Rosie and Mira are desperately missing their…
    Graphic Novel, 2025New York : First Second, 2025, ©2025. — J GRAPHIX TYS
  • Edgar Award-winning author Kate Milford returns with the standalone mystery, Rialto. Sisters Ivy and Dahlia Vicar are spending the summer in Rialto, Missouri, visiting friends, and they anticipate that things are going to be different during this…
    Book, 2026Harper Collins Books 2026/04 — ON ORDER
  • Bestselling author Gordan Korman brings readers an exciting and unexpected mystery story with Snoop. The story's protagonist Carter accidentally breaks both legs and finds himself cooped up at home for weeks on end. With little to do, he starts…
    Book, 2025New York : Scholastic Press, ©2025. — J KOR
  • The Swifts

    a Dictionary of Scoundrels

    Lincoln, Beth,
    A critically acclaimed series opener from author Beth Lincoln and illustrator Claire Powell, The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels revolves around the Swift family, their fascinatingly named children, a family reunion, and the very suspicious death…
    Book, 2023New York, New York : Dutton Children's Books, ©2023. — J LIN
  • A Newbery award-winning novel, When You Reach Me is considered a modern classic in children's literature. Shortly after sixth-grader Miranda has a fight with her friend, she starts receiving very mysterious notes that not only require her to keep…
    Book, 2009New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2009. — J STE