100 Quotes About Middle Grade

Middle-grade is a genre of fiction that explores the adventures of children between eight and twelve years old. This collection of middle-grade quotes is perfect for young readers who enjoy these types of stories, as well as those who want to read more about children in all their messy, fun, and exciting glory. There are countless middle-grade novels with themes that resonate with people of all ages, so maybe you’ll find something here that inspires you to start reading today.

You can always tell the heart of man by what...
1
You can always tell the heart of man by what he do, and by what he don't do... Steven J. Carroll
I’m alive, ” he groaned. “But I’m not doing a...
2
I’m alive, ” he groaned. “But I’m not doing a very good job of it. Merrie Haskell
And turnips - endless ruptured turnips.
3
And turnips - endless ruptured turnips. Merrie Haskell
4
Perrotte frowned. “I’d like to turn a plowshare into a sword , ” she said. “I’d cut our way out of those thorns, and then use it to run my enemies through–” She bit off her next words and swallowed them. Sand stared at her, aghast. She met his eyes, defiant. “What? You don’t like bloodthirstiness?” she asked. “Pardon? No. I’m horrified that you would dull a sword on that thorn brake. I could make you some pretty good hedge shears. Merrie Haskell
5
The truth is .. . Well, the truth is the truth, and thus worth telling, but sometimes truths are so complicated that it’s exhausting to get them out in the right order.” He glanced up at her. That sounded like an evasion if ever she’d heard one. She raised an eyebrow. Merrie Haskell
Saint Melor’s father was Saint Meliau.”“Was everyone in Bertaèyn a...
6
Saint Melor’s father was Saint Meliau.”“Was everyone in Bertaèyn a saint, back in the day?”“ Everyone who didn’t murder anyone, maybe, ” Perrotte said. Merrie Haskell
7
The shrine I prayed at not to go to university, ” Sand said.“ I guess your prayer was answered, ” Perrotte said. Sand strongly considered throwing something at her–but there was nothing to hand that wasn’t sacred. Merrie Haskell
8
How did you get into the castle, Alexandre, son of Gilles Smith?” Sand shrugged. “A saint kidnapped me from his shrine and put me into a fireplace here. So I guess the answer is, a miracle of Saint Melor. Or so I think. He has not told me.” “If you are trying to antagonize him, you are doing a good job, ” Perrotte whispered. Sand scuffed his shoe at her. “I’m just telling the truth! ” “You’re very good at telling it in the most maddening way possible.”“ Thank you?. Merrie Haskell
You’re not mending anything, remember, Sand? The hedge.” He paused...
9
You’re not mending anything, remember, Sand? The hedge.” He paused and shook his head at himself. “And Perrotte’s away for a few minutes, and you’re talking to yourself again. Merrie Haskell
It was going to be our job to annoy someone?”...
10
It was going to be our job to annoy someone?” “I know–it’s a dream come true! Joel N. Ross
After an hour the score was: Quancita–34 Radiz–51 Sally–froglegs Perla–9...
11
After an hour the score was: Quancita–34 Radiz–51 Sally–froglegs Perla–9 a Joel N. Ross
Are you okay?” “Yeah.” “Good, ” she said, “because if...
12
Are you okay?” “Yeah.” “Good, ” she said, “because if you fall off a skyscraper, I’ll be so mad at you. Joel N. Ross
Are you .. . lost?” “Not really, ” she told...
13
Are you .. . lost?” “Not really, ” she told him. “We just don’t know where we’re going. Joel N. Ross
What are you doing?” I asked Loretta. “Stabbing a cushion,...
14
What are you doing?” I asked Loretta. “Stabbing a cushion, ” she told me. Joel N. Ross
Keep moving! ” “Bea’s arguing with the floor.
15
Keep moving! ” “Bea’s arguing with the floor. Joel N. Ross
Torque was the greatest thing in the world, as far...
16
Torque was the greatest thing in the world, as far as Lina was concerned. Jaleigh Johnson
17
Small Acts of Kindness are Priceless M.G. Wells
As a rule, she didn’t like boys very much, but...
18
As a rule, she didn’t like boys very much, but she had to admit, Charlie was actually pretty nice. Sarah Weeks
That was the moment when Alice knew for sure that...
19
That was the moment when Alice knew for sure that she and Charlie Erdling would be friends for the rest of their lives. Sarah Weeks
It is hard to imagine the things you have never...
20
It is hard to imagine the things you have never seen. Steven J. Carroll
21
So you’re a reader, ” My mom sighs, as if somehow this elevates Isabel to yet another realm of perfection. Denis Markell
22
Readers will be swept up by the drama and fast pace of this powerful debut novel. Reading Today Online
23
None of it mattered, because there was music. Erin Entrada Kelly
24
Sometimes what we don't want is actually what we need. Nikolas Lee
25
I love to walk through snow, to climb mountains, to smell the fresh air and I love to dream about flying. Soaring through the air, watching the earth from above, feeling the wind in my face and touching the clouds would be an amazing experience. Oliver Neubert
26
When you say fair, Samantha, ” said Mr Green through a peculiar smile, “do you mean one of those travelling fleets of vehicles that arrive and set up things like spinning Waltzers and Big Wheels and all manner of machines that whizz people around in circles and up and down and from side to side? Machines that could..” Mr Green turned away and his unnatural smile became even more unsettling.. “easily go wrong! . Mark Gorton
27
Junk?” Lina repeated, incredulous. Oh, she wasn’t about to let that pass. Jaleigh Johnson
28
Normally, she would never wish a head injury on anyone, but it might make her days in Archival Studies a bit easier. Jaleigh Johnson
29
If a wish turns to hope, it’s worth chasing. (Lucas Warbuck: Darkotika - Book 2) Ariel Roma
30
I'm serious, Jim. You need to put this crap away. You walk into school on Monday talking to me, or anyone else, about the city's pesky troll problem, and you're not exactly going to get a lot of people saying, 'Gee, thanks for the warning.' It'll spread faster than mono. You think things are tough for us now? Jim, this will be the end. I'm sorry if you had a crazy nightmare. I really am. But I can't let you ruin our lives. . Guillermo Del Toro
31
Something warned me that what I might see would haunt me forever. Guillermo Del Toro
32
Is it..can we..is it safe?" Tub checked the lot but he seemed unconcerned. " Coach Lawrence nabbed him for practice. We live to fight another day, soldier." " No.. I mean, the thing..is it..?" Tub frowned. " The thing. Hmmm. Can you be more specific? I clutched at the bumper and raised myself to unsteady feet. I patted the truck bed, taking solace in the cake of dust. It was real; I was not caught in a nightmare. I smeared the dust with my fingers and smelled it. " If you lick that, we're no longer friends, " Tub said. Guillermo Del Toro
33
A word is a small song. Larry Good
34
Leaves lift trees. Larry Good
35
You know, Dorothy, you can’t let people bring you down so easily or you’ll have your nose in the dirt for the rest of your life. From what I make of it, for every person with a good thought, there are about fifty who’d try to spoil it. We have to guard our good ideas, our happy thoughts, and fight for them. Because if we let those others snuff them out, well, we didn’t after all deserve them. . J.M. Lavallee
36
And it is a strange thing about love... it is that it can take a strength that would seem otherwise insignificant and transform it into a hardly quenchable power. Steven J. Carroll
37
Nearly all men have weak hearts, in one way or another. Steven J. Carroll
38
I was thinking that preparing to meet someone you don’t think you’ll like is a lot like pulling a tooth you do like, in that you’ll be very sweaty and know very well (at least at that moment in time) that life would be far grander if you went in another direction. Shoeburn Ruffet
39
My attention was like cooking butter, not spreadable at the best of times. And when it was spreadable, it could destroy your toast by setting it ablaze. I was unpredictable, even to myself. Shoeburn Ruffet
40
My father was a patient father. He was so patient that when he once saw a sign that read ‘Patient Entrance’ at the Welt Foot Hospital, he drove his automobile incredibly slow. Shoeburn Ruffet
41
A great deal of a child’s life is being asked and being told things by adults and not knowing the answers or what to do. So, I didn’t say anything. Shoeburn Ruffet
42
Gee, I wonder who you could be referring to?" Owen said. "I mean you, " Erebus said. "I just did not wish to be rude." "All you've been is rude." Owen muttered just under a whisper. "Some minds are more capable than others." Erebus smiled at Hugh. Karen Ann Wirtz
43
The address given to me by Greta was written in such a way that the words looked like numbers, and the numbers looked like the aftermath of a startled octopus meeting a deep-sea diver in a corner café. It was the worst writing I had ever seen. Shoeburn Ruffet
44
Look how we have made our broken hearts soar. Maria Testa
45
When he wasn’t busy chasing unseen mice around the academy, Ion spent hours in the Borean Study, searching through dusty books for anything that had to do with the banshee or the Shroud. But finding this anything proved to be difficult as well, especially when the books you’re reading have everything to do with something, but certainly nothing to do with your anything. And in trying to find this anything, Ion forgot about a very important, specific thing, which would quickly ruin his Wednesday. Nikolas Lee
46
Attending to your own words and ideas as well as those of others is an admirable trait in any person, but a necessity in a leader. Jennifer FrickRuppert
47
To travel beyond our world is to change this present one forever. Steven J. Carroll
48
Kayla jumped down off of the monkey bars. I thought she was going to apologize. Instead, she pointed at Becky and laughed as hard as she could. My blood boiled. I glared at her so hard that I thought that lasers would shoot out of my eyes and burn a hole through her. Without thinking, I stood up, walked over to Kayla, and slapped her across the face as hard as I could. I had never hit anyone who wasn’t my brother and sister, and I had never hit them as hard as I hit her. My hand stung. I grabbed it and held it between my knees. Kayla squealed, grabbed her face, and ran home. Ashley just looked at me. I reached for Becky, helped her to her feet, and we ran to our house.- The Castle Park Kids . Laura Smith
49
The next morning, I woke up to hear Becky moaning and rustling around in her bed covers.“ I’m so itchy! ” she cried.“ So scratch! ” I said, groggily, but suddenly, I felt itchy too. So, I started scratching my legs. They felt better until I stopped scratching. Then, it started to burn. I threw back the covers and saw that my legs were covered in red bumps.“ My legs! ” I yelled. Becky looked over at me. Then, she pulled back her covers. Her legs were even worse. She gasped.“ Mom! ” I cried. Mom came in. She was ready for work, wearing her dress shirt and gym shorts. She only had to dress up the top half of her body in case she had to use her webcam to talk to her boss.“ What is it?” she asked.“ Look! ” I said, showing her our legs.“ Oh no! That’s poison ivy! ” she cried, “Where were you guys playing yesterday?” “The woods, ” I said.“ You must have been sitting in it, ” she said.- The Castle Park Kids . Laura Smith
50
Green light, ” she called, and I watched Becky run ahead until she was just a few inches from Michelle. Kayla was right next to her. Just as she reached out to tag Michelle, Kayla pushed into Becky’s back hard, and Becky flew forward. I gasped. Michelle turned around as Kayla tagged her arm. Becky fell at Michelle’s feet. She wrapped her arms around Michelle’s legs to catch herself. Michelle fell forward onto her knees, and Becky bumped her mouth against Michelle’s shoe.“ Time! ” I called, stopping the game.“ Sis, you all right?” Heather asked Michelle.Michelle didn’t answer. She looked at Becky who was on her knees, staring at the ground. “You okay?” I asked Becky.She started to cry. I didn’t know if she really was hurt or just looking for attention. I sighed and looked away, waiting for her to start screaming her head off. Luke ran over to us. He looked at her, pointed, and cried, “Beck, you’re bleeding! ” I looked up. Blood was trickling out of her mouth. She gasped. I glared at Luke for scaring her. He closed his mouth. Becky opened hers wider.“ Kayla, why are you such a little brat?” asked Michelle, slapping off the grass stuck to her knees. “It was an accident! ” Kayla insisted.“ Yeah right! ” Michelle yelled, “You just wanted to win! It’s just a game! ” Kayla stood there looking guilty. I looked at Becky and noticed that one of her teeth was missing. I looked down, found a piece of white on the ground, and picked it up with my thumb and pointer finger. It was Becky’s tooth.“ Becky, look! ” I said, holding it up, “You lost your first tooth! ”- The Castle Park Kids . Laura Smith
51
Belief is both a marvelous and a terrible thing. Belief makes things real. H.J. Blenkinsop
52
Linc was so amazed at what he saw and heard, “This is sooo cool. I love this place. This looks way better than a day spotting weird people at Walmart. S.W. Lothian
53
Where are we?" Ni asked." This is my work place and the center of Universe as well." Simone said." Do you mean the tower is in the center of Universe?" Ni asked“ I mean that we are both in space and inside the tower at the same time."" Why is it so dark here?" Ni asked." At the beginning, it is always dark." Simone replied, "Then everything comes into existence little by little. Even Light is born out of Darkness. Leora Cika Waldman
54
You belong with us, the lost of the lost, the tribe without a home, a tribe of orphans living our abandoned lives amid toys and trinkets, stuffed monkeys and bears. You’re one of us now–the Tribe of the Teddy Bear.” From Tribe of the Teddy Bear J. Joseph Wright
55
If you always try to measure yourself withmoney... well, it's like counting backwards, the more youkeep on, the less you'll have to show for it. Steven J. Carroll
56
Only worse thing than being cold, and too tired to defend yourself, is to be cold and alone. And I wouldn't ever wish that on nobody. Steven J. Carroll
57
Wait. Is a real, live adult person actually asking me details about the games I play? This is unheard of. Denis Markell
58
The smell of dead fish lingered in the air, and excited flies darted from fish to fish lapping up the decay. S.W. Lothian
59
Etta gave Will a small, knowing smile. "Will, sometimes you have to love people for who they are, not who you want them to be. Deanna Lynn Sletten
60
It seems like the best escape games come from Japan for some reason. It makes me proud. Denis Markell
61
I can’t believe I thought this was going to be boring. This is great! Denis Markell
62
Trust me, there are things in this mountain that will make your jaw bounce off the floor. Jaleigh Johnson
63
Mike couldn’t believe that Mr. Mackey’s secret tragedy was connected to his store, and no one had ever told him.“ Do you think he’d ever take it back?” “ Why would he? His son was never found, and he still blames your dad for it. I think it’s his way of making himself feel better about the accident. He thinks horror movies are evil or something.” “ That’s stupid. Most kids are more scared of him than they are of horror movies, ” Mike said, “He shouldn’t blame my dad.” “ He thinks he’s protecting the kids, ” Tim said, rolling his eyes. “Well, if he is trying to save kids, why is he so mean to us? Everyone’s afraid of him. Even Jack.” “I don’t know. I guess he’s just a cranky old man. Don’t take it personally. He’s had it rough. He has to stand on that playground everyday knowing that just over that fence, his son’s body is down there somewhere.” “Then why doesn’t he teach at another school?” “ I don’t know, bud. Sometimes people just like to torture themselves.” - Saving Hascal's Horrors . Laura Smith
64
Don’t tell Mom, but I think my little emergency last night was a sign. And I was thinking of you when it happened. So, I’m worried that this is a prediction about you. Do you have something big planned? Something dangerous that you’re going to do?” Mike looked away. He didn’t want to lie to her but he also couldn’t tell her his plan. “Well, whatever it is, don’t do it, okay? You’re going to get the feeling soon too. I know it, ” she yawned, “It feels like it’s a long way off, but I’ve never had this strong a reaction before. And now that I’m stuck in bed, I can’t help you…or stop you. So please, whatever you’re doing, let it go, okay? Especially if it’s about the shop. Just let me handle it.” “ I’ll be careful, ” he said. “Huh?” she yawned again. He didn’t answer. Her eyelids grew heavy until they closed all the way. Mike lifted the sheet that was turned down from the bed and draped it over her. Then, he left the room, closing the door behind him. - Saving Hascal's Horrors. Laura Smith
65
He let go of the rope one hand at a time and latched onto Lisa’s hands. Her fingernails dug into his wrists, but her grip was strong after a summer of lifting girls into the air. It was a tug of war battle between his friends and Shawn’s ghost. The wind died down as Shawn gathered all of his energy to pull on Mike. Even though he was terrified of what was happening, Mike knew that Shawn wasn’t trying to hurt him. After all these years, he was still trying to find a way out. Shawn wanted to go home too, and he saw the hope of being rescued falling away. “Shawn! Please! Let me go! ” Mike called over the dying wind, “I’ll get you help! We’ll get you out! Just please! Let me go! ” - Saving Hascal's Horrors . Laura Smith
66
They were being poisoned. M.L. LeGette
67
Toad must have been very accustomed to traveling this way, balanced on the back rails of a rushing buggy, but Melena was not. She gripped the sides and white-knuckled the rails with her knapsack sandwiched between her knees. Hazel was clamped onto the roof, grinning like an alligator in the sun. And Toad lounged like a cat. M.L. LeGette
68
Don’t worry yourself. It is better that you are cautious and safe than to be accepting and sorry. Trust must be earned. I hope I have now earned yours. S.W. Lothian
69
We must remember that the mortals prefer plant-life for food, for next time.” The other statue nodded in agreement and replied. “Yes. Every day we learn new things Donkor. These mortals have some funny ways don’t they?” - Quest Two: The Cursed Nile S.W. Lothian
70
Spooky Twisties:All things Spooky, here begin They lay and wait, in books within. They sometimes pass, in open space. Then leave and go, without a trace. Some appear on the spot. Some we know, others not. Sometimes we are afraid to say, “leave us now”, or beg to stay. At times they leave a sign beyond, A gentle breeze, or note from song. Be not afraid, to read story’s close. For in the dark, your spirit goes. Terri Bertha
71
Suddenly, she heard a loud bang, a thump and a scream that caused her to jump from the bed. The hair on the back of her neck stood straight up and her body became one big goosebump. Evangeline Duran Fuentes
72
If there's one thing Robert had learned in three weeks at Lovecraft Middle School, it's that nothing was impossible. Charles Gilman
73
...and now over to our foriegn allegory correspondant, Barv Tweezman." ~The Shielding of Mortimer Townes Montgomery Thompson
74
Uh, she said maybe your eyes matched the Fog like a synchronous magnetic field?” “I don’t even know what language that is. Joel N. Ross
75
If teams had to name themselves honestly, they’d all be the Pimple-Faced Teenagers. Eric Berlin
76
To my faithful readers, because a book is like a pie–the only thing more satisfying than cooking up the story is knowing that somebody might be out there eating it up with a spoon. Sarah Weeks
77
Polly had a gift for baking pies, and she poured her heart and soul into every one she made. Sarah Weeks
78
Being a humble person, she gave her pie shop a humble name– P I E. Sarah Weeks
79
Alice wondered if her mother was aware that she wasn’t the only one in town who’d come down with a bad case of Blueberry Fever. Sarah Weeks
80
Winston and his sister walked for a time in silence, each in an invisible, vibrating pocket of excitement. Eric Berlin
81
He felt weighted down by guilt and regret for what might have been his last words to all of them. Karen Ann Wirtz
82
I'm not sure what he's saying , but by the way he's checking you out, it looks like you're gonna need a restraining order soon." ~ Treena Mui Sharon Ledwith
83
It was the first time her eyes had really met mine and to be honest I think there was more warmth between the lamb chops in the freezer." Daniel meeting Felicity in Cousin Felicity and the Eels of Misty Point. Kaal Kaczmarek
84
Animales depend on us to take care of them. Angela Cervantes
85
Such a nice ring… Dead Furry Friends Animal Shelter…so warm and comforting. Angela Cervantes
86
Alma had been falling in love with a crazy terrier that thought “stay” mean to take off like a rocket. Gaby knew he’d already taken off with Alma’s heart. Angela Cervantes
87
Danger is the snack food of a true sleuth. Mac Barnett
88
As chief, I will represent my people in many different ways and might never know which particular action is destined to matter more than another, thus, all my actions should be considered potentially important and worthy of my best effort. Jennifer FrickRuppert
89
And, to be true, an enemy's lair is an enemy's lair, no matter how comfortable or fancy it might appear. Steven J. Carroll
90
Lardo was getting on in years, and his big belly tended to slow him down a bit. Sarah Weeks
91
Lush, detailed, total-immersion storytelling.— Kirkus Review Sharon Lovejoy
92
(Running out of Night). ..is a story that respects this pivotal era of American history, a story that reveals the pain, the courage, and the hope that eventually changed the world.— Middle Shelf : Cool Reads for Kids magazine Sharon Lovejoy
93
Rarely do page-turners written for middle-school kids also ignite excitement in adults. (A notable exception is the series of Harry Potter books.) Fewer still explore the secret sorrows of children's lives in the mid-1800s, whether enslaved or free. Running Out of Night, a debut novel from Californian Sharon Lovejoy, a veteran author-illustrator known nationally for her prizewinning nonfiction books on gardening and nature, gives you both.— Op Ed News . Sharon Lovejoy
94
An Underground Railroad story with a distinctive flavor. —Booklist Sharon Lovejoy
95
A gripping historical novel. ..  heart-stopping, heart-racing and eventually heart-easing.— Library Voice Sharon Lovejoy
96
This book would be a great addition to a classroom library, especially considering its emphases on timeless and critical topics like discrimination and prejudice. —examiner.com, National Book Examiner Sharon Lovejoy
97
Very different from other middle grade of YA stories I've read about slaves running during the 1800s. — Wandering Librarian Sharon Lovejoy
98
The rural, mid-19th-century dialect, coupled with the author's interest in ethnobotany, roots the story deeply in the houses, forests, gardens, and even streambeds of antebellum Virginia. —School Library Journal Sharon Lovejoy
99
Did I ever tell you that we used to keep our horses where your house is?”“ Yeah, ” I mumbled. She continued her story, “My brothers used to get up early every morning and go across the street, well, there wasn’t a street there yet. It was just a dirt road, and they used to get up and clean the stables and feed the horses every morning. I would go over there once they had finished and give the horses a brush, even though none of those horses were mine. I had always wanted my own horse, but I never got one. When my father got older, he got rid of the horses and sold the land, all but this yard here." She spread her hand over the yard as she said this." I grew up and got married and had to move away. My husband and I lived in an apartment above a bread store. And it was so cramped, let me tell you. There was nowhere to move around and no yard to take care of. It was terrible. I’m not saying I wanted my husband to die. I’d never have wished that in a million years. But I was so relieved to come home after two years, and I've lived here ever since." I had stopped raking, turned and looked at her." I know why you don’t want to leave this street, " she said, "You’ve been in that house your whole life, just like me. And no matter where you go it’s not going to seem like home. But just like me, you’re going to come back. You have to remind yourself of that. And I did hate being away from home, but it was the most memorable time in my life, being away. It was an adventure as much as it was scary. But when I came home, I learned to get out more. I went to beauty school and got a job at the salon and took trips with friends. I like to get away from the house so that I can come back and still appreciate it. And you will too after you come back.” I nodded at Violet. What she was saying made sense.“ I’ll go, ” I said, “Tell them I’ll go.”- The Stable House . Laura Smith
100
I didn’t see Danny come in or run towards me. He was just suddenly there, pulling me up by my arm so hard that I gasped. I felt his grip on my skin long after he let go. We ran down the steps where Mom met us, coughing. She was followed by a thick black cloud of smoke. I had never felt smoke that hot in my life. I tasted ash when I breathed in.“ Go! Get out! ” she choked, waving us towards the front door. We ran out into the night in our pajamas.“ Run to Violet’s! ” Mom called behind us.- The Stable House . Laura Smith