Something about the fall feels cozy to me. I want to curl up on the couch with a cozy cardigan, a fluffy blanket, a warm mug of tea, and read a good book. Bonus points if it is a rainy day or near a place where you can see the changing of the leaves and all their glorious colors.
As a writer of middle grade fiction I thought it would be fun to share some amazing books for this age group (I also cannot wait for the day I can share my writing with you all). More often than naught I find myself reaching for middle grade stories in the fall. A lot of middle grade stories have this nostalgic and cozy feel that can often be hard to find in other books.
Something I love about middle grade books is that you can also turn any of these into a family read aloud! These cozy books I would recommend to independent readers and family read alouds.
These stories are well loved and safe to read for your family!
10 Cozy Fall Middle Grade & Read Aloud Novels
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis — This is THE autumn Narnia books. You do want to read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe + Prince Caspian + The Voyage of the Dawn Treader before reading this book. Content: There is magic and an evil enchantress in this story.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle — If you were to choose one book to read on a rainy day, this is the one I would recommend. The story opens on a cold, stormy night when a strange visitor comes to Meg’s home and sets off a series of events that will change Meg and her family’s lives.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George — This is one of my family’s favorite read aloud books of all time. We’ve read through it twice. That is how good it is. This is perfect for young boys who are adventurous and want to explore the outdoors. Content: hunting.
The Different World by B.W. Luby — The fall aesthetic and ambiance in this book are unmatched. I adored reading about the Foxlings who protect children from evil in the world. Byron is also a musician and has composed music that goes along with the story that you can listen to on Spotify or YouTube. Content: The vile ones might be scary to some younger or more sensitive readers.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart — This story follows four extraordinary children who go on a secret mission for the eccentric and odd Mr. Benedict. If you love games, mysteries, and stories about found family and unlikely friendships, then you will love this story.
Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin — This is perhaps the coziest book I own. Snow and Rose follow two sisters who move to a tiny cottage by the enchanted woods after their father goes missing and their mother is clouded in grief. With some of the most lovely illustrations, Snow and Rose is a fairytale retelling and one of my favorites.
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo — This story follows the lives of a small but Mighty Mouse, a rat who longs for light, a sad girl who wishes to be a princess, and the beautiful and loving Princess Pea in this story where rats and soup are illegal and an unlikely hero must save the day. Bonus points if you read this book AND have cozy soup. Content: There are some deaths in this story, lying, and the rats are mean and vile.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingles Wilder — This book was one of the first books my mom read aloud to my sister and I growing up. I still remember setting up for tea time, drinking warm tea in floral mugs, wrapped in quilts and cozy blankets, and drawing as our mom read us this story.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott — This is one of my favorite novels. I love following the story of the four March girls and watching them live life and grow up. It is on the longer side but trust me the story is worth it. Also, you could read the novel as it was first published as two parts with the first half being Little Women and the second part being Good Wives. Content: A beloved character dies, and you follow the family through their grief in the second part of the book.
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket — This is the least cozy and happy book of the bunch. It is, as the title says, a bad beginning to a series that is most unfortunate indeed. This series follows the Baudelaire children who, upon finding that their parents are dead, become orphans and are placed under the guardianship of the awful Count Olaf, who wants to steal their fortune and places them and others in mortal danger. This is not a happy book, but it is a story I think most suitable to be read in the autumn…especially if it is a very dreary day. Content: the story follows three children whos parents die in a tragic fire and the awful Count Olaf who will stop at nothing to steal their fortune including trying to marry 14-year-old Violet (spoiler: the children stop him before he can). Olaf is mean and slaps a child and makes them do horrible chores and then punishes them for not doing exactly what he likes. Olaf also lies. And there is a strange person who no one knows whether they are a woman or a man they just are.
Full list of cozy rainy day books: https://bookshop.org/lists/rainy-day-reads-moriyah-cordova/edit
I hope you and your family find something cozy to read! What cozy books do you love to read in the fall?