8 Great Middle-Grade Spanish Books

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There are many fantastic middle-grade books, including Spanish chapter books! This list can help narrow down some of the best titles for children ages ten and up who are already fluent readers.

If you want to start Spanish chapter books but your child is working on their reading skills, you can still tackle some of these titles together by reading aloud to each other or having them start with the graphic novel because the pictures can really help with context.

Some of these books are also great for adults that are practicing their Spanish reading skills! Most of the Spanish chapter books on this list are either written entirely in Spanish or are Spanish-English bilingual so you can choose which language would be easier to start with and go from there. 

If you aren’t quite ready for these

Written by Meredith Bartolo Pappas

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Each book on this list embraces Hispanic or Latinx culture and can really help children to deepen their understanding of the Spanish language and its heritage.

In addition to reading any of these books, you can further explore the history, native foods, cultural aspects, and traditions of the people and places represented through additional reading and supplemental activities, like cooking, or by doing further research on some of the visionaries highlighted in the biographies.

This can make it even more fun to read with or alongside your child and can encourage important discussions and connections.

You can get started with any of the Spanish chapter books on this list!

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Blancaflor: La Heroína Con Poderes Secretos: Un Cuento De Latinoamérica

by Nadja Speigelman with illustrations by Sergio García Sánchez and introduction by F. Iabel Campoy

Folktales are an interesting way to learn more about a place or culture, and this book does just that.

A graphic novel with brilliant and vivid illustrations, this modernized folktale will bring you into the world of Blancaflor, a strong young woman who is always told to quiet her powers.

But her heart pushes her to help the charming, though somewhat dim-witted, prince and be appreciated for who she is after all.

Upside Down and Backwards/De Cabeza Y Al Revés

by Diane Gonzales Bertrand

This is such a cool design for a bilingual book, you can read it one way in Spanish, then flip it over and read it the other way in English! It’s a fast-paced book of short stories built on the funny and sometimes rebellious problems of ten-year-olds.

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Latinitas! Una Celebración de 40 Soñadoras Audaces

by Juliet Menéndez

Vibrant art coupled with mini-biographies of forty influential Latina women (plus ten more in the end notes), this book lives up to its celebratory title!

This book is a gorgeous way to learn more about important women, like archaeologist Zelia Nuttal and artist Frida Khalo. (There is also an English-language version of this book.)

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano

by Sonia Manzano

Though this book is written in English, this is a powerful story of a young Latina girl growing up in Spanish Harlem during a time of revolution and protest.

Based on Sonia Manzano’s own upbringing, it includes real events that help bring the story to life and make it an even more fascinating read. Fun fact, Sonia Manzano played “Maria” on Sesame Street from 1971 until 2015!

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El Soñador

by Pam Muñoz Ryan with illustrations by Peter Sís

A fictionalized biography of celebrated Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. Despite emotional hardships like being bullied by peers and his very own father, Pablo Neruda followed his dreamy nature to become a world-renowned poet. A beautiful book, but be aware that bullying and emotional abuse are themes here.

Esperanza Renace (Esperanza Rising)

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Esperanza and her family live well in Mexico on their ranch. But after the death of her father, Esperanza and her mother head off to California to start a new and different life.

Well-written and absorbing, this Spanish-language book is just right for middle grades. If you like this one and El Soñador, check out Pam Muñoz Ryan’s other Spanish-language chapter books, like Mañanaland.

Frida, El Misterio Del Anillo Del Pavo Real y Yo

by Angela Cervantes

Paloma travels to Mexico City to try and connect to her deceased father through his homeland. While there she gets wrapped up in mysteries revolving around Frida Khalo. An absorbing read for grades six and up.

Un Grandioso Desorden

by Javier Peñalosa M

When two brothers are left in the temporary care of their grandfather so their mom can go work in another city for a while, their turtle mysteriously disappears. Of course, they have to go find him, and they also find a lot of adventure along the way! Includes some lovely illustrations as well, which make the story even better.

These Spanish middle-grade books are some great choices, mostly for intermediate or fluent readers. There’s something for everyone on this list, meant to get older kids engaged in reading chapter books. What are your favorite middle-grade Spanish books?