MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS (ages 10–13)
S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge
This is a reading challenge unlike any that have ventured before. Not just because there are
cool bonuses
but because these
books
are secret worlds that will launch your future in ways you never imagined. Let’s explore some great reads!
Sign up to get information about the Reading Challenge.
Your Mission
Base Goal
Read for a total of
180 minutes.
Earn 5 virtual tickets and a reward package
(packages can vary).
Bonus Goals
Read an additional
45 minutes.
Earn 3 tickets.
Tickets
Submit tickets to any of the bonuses found in your Beanstack account.
Final day to submit virtual tickets is October 25, 2025.
Bonuses to Win
Middle Grade Bonuses
Be rewarded for your S.T.E.A.M. reading adventure with digital badges, virtual tickets, a certificate of completion and a package of goodies (reward packages can vary). For those who want a greater chance to win bonuses, earn extra tickets by continuing to explore secret worlds hidden inside books!
(Bonuses can only be redeemed through Beanstack and the last day to submit virtual tickets is October 25, 2025. Bonus winners will receive an email notifying them of how to collect their bonus.)
S.T.E.A.M. Reading List
Middle Grade Books
Most of the books listed below can be found at your local library. Happy book hunting!
Download the 2025 Middle Grade Recommended Reading List PDF.
The 2025 Middle Grade Recommended Reading List
Download the
2025 Middle Grade Recommended Reading List PDF.
25 Scratch 3 Games for Kids: A Playful Guide to Coding by Max Wainewright
A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga
Animal-Inspired Robots by Robin Koontz
Apollo 8: The Mission That Changed Everything by Martin W. Sandler
Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? series by Nick Hunter
Capturing Carbon with Fake Trees by Cecilia Pinto McCarthy
Competition Robots by Lisa Idzikowski
Deep-Sea Creatures: Adapting to the Abyss by Mike Lawrence
Dinosaur Secrets Revealed!: How High-Tech Tools Spark Discoveries by Sandra Markle
Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon's Shadow by Ilima Loomis
Eco Action: Ending the Energy Crisis by Robyn Hardyman
EngiNerds by Jarrett Lerner
From Farmworker to Astronaut: My Path to the Stars / De campesino a astronauta: Mi viaje a las estrellas by Jose M. Hernandez
Fun Experiments with Light: Periscopes, Kaleidoscopes, and More by Rob Ives
Genius Physicist: Albert Einstein by Katie Marsico
Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea by Patricia Newman
Green Promises: Girls Who Loved the Earth by Jeannine Atkins
Hunting a Hacker: Using Science to Crack Cybercrime by Sarah Eason
Maple's Formula for Victory by Kate Mcmillan
My Life in 2055 series by Carrie Lewis
Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad series by Valerie Tripp
Maglev trains by Louise Spilsbury
Nature's Ninja: Animals with Spectacular Skills by Rebecca L. Johnson
Pop-Up Planetarium by Lynn Brunelle
Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Revenge of the EngiNerds by Jarrett Lerner
Robotics by Louise Spilsbury
Science on Shackleton's Expedition by Tammy Enz
Siglo XX: Carrera hacia la Luna by Stephanie Paris
Surprise the Enemy: Make Your Own Traps and Triggers by Rob Ives
The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World by Dylan Thuras, Jennifer Swanson
The Boy Who Touched the Stars / El niño que alcanzó las estrellas by José M. Hernández
The Doomsday Vault by Thomas Wheeler
The EngiNerds Strike Back by Jarrett Lerner
The Genius of Amazon: How Jeff Bezos and Online Shopping Changed the World by Margaret J. Goldstein
The Problem with Plastic: Know Your Facts, Take Action, Save the Oceans by Ruth Owen
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict
The Six: Young Readers Edition: The Untold Story of America's First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush
Video Games: A Graphic History by Sean Tulien
Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason
Guardians of the Middle Grade Books
Bonus Drawing Winners
Congratulations, Bonus Drawing winners!
Check your email for your personal invitation to the Splashdown Celebration and get ready to celebrate as you claim your bonus in style.
Andrew F
Westmont Elementary (Anaheim)
Coding lessons
Blue B
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
Fun Zone Arcade game card
Caleb L
Serrano Intermediate
Bazic Products backpack
David M
Heritage Oak Private Education
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
David S
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
Sky Zone guest pass
Eliana C
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
Sky Zone pass
Elina P
Running Springs Elementary
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
Enily A
Serrano Intermediate
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
Ethan D
Heritage Oak Private Education
Zoom call with Patricia Newman
Evan C
Canyon Rim Elementary
Zoom call with Patricia Newman
Gabriel V
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
Jackaroni and cheese D
Serrano Intermediate
Sandisk tour
Jared M
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
Sky Zone guest pass
Jayden J
Woodbury Elementary (Irvine)
Bytes & Bots gift certificate
Josiah L
Homeschool
Sandisk tour
Julia R
Sequoia Elementary
Sandisk tour
Katya A
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
30-Sec Dance Button
Larisa S
Romanian Readers
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
Logan T
Falcon Academy of Science and Technology
Ferris Wheel tickets
Lucas M
Serrano Intermediate
Sky Zone guest pass
Lukas F
Serrano Intermediate
Mini Mod™ Launch Set
Maddox R
Serrano Intermediate
Coding lessons
Madelyn M
VanDamme Academy
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
Mario A
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
30-Sec Dance Button
Mirisch R R
Brywood Elementary
Club for the Future bundle
Nicolas E
Don Juan Avila Middle
30-Sec Dance Button
Olivia M
Sycamore Junior High
Irvine Lanes giftcard
Owen G
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Zoom call with Elio Morillo
Raveena D
Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills
Sandisk tour
Rinal J
Heritage Oak Private Education
Sandisk tour
Ritsika T
Beacon Park
30-Sec Dance Button
Sahas Y
Brywood Elementary
Sandisk tour
Samuel M
Costa Mesa High
Sandisk tour
Sana M
Esencia
Zoom call with Patricia Newman
Santiago G
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
$20 Amazon giftcard
Sarah K
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
30-Sec Dance Button
Saul V
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
30-Sec Dance Button
Sean C
La Paz Intermediate
Zoom call with Patricia Newman
Solange M
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
Bazic Products backpack
Sophia H
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School
Andrea Brown book bundle
Tifanny K
Glenknoll Elementary
Zoom call with Patricia Newman
Tiff M
Melrose Elementary
Focus Dance Lessons
Wyatt G
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Zoom call with Patricia Newman
