Getting your kids to swap their controllers for a good book can be a real challenge, especially when the latest video game is calling their name. But what if you could turn their favorite gaming adventures into reading material? Enter video game books for middle schoolers—a brilliant way to merge the excitement of gaming with the benefits of reading. These books capture the action, characters, and stories that your kids already love, making reading not just a chore, but a new way to experience their favorite games. Whether your child is a reluctant reader or just needs a nudge toward more books, these video game books for middle schoolers might just be the power-up they need!

Wild Rescuers

Age: 8-12

Summary: From StacyPlays, creator of the mega-popular YouTube series Dogcraft, comes a thrilling illustrated novel about a girl raised by a pack of wolves and her quest to protect their shared forest home. The first in a new Minecraft-inspired fantasy adventure series!

Stacy was raised by wolves. She’s never needed humans to survive and, from what she sees of humans, they’re dangerous and unpredictable. For as long as she can remember, Stacy’s pack of six powerful, playful wolves—Addison, Basil, Everest, Noah, Tucker and Wink—have been her only family.

Together, Stacy’s pack patrols the forest to keep other animals safe, relying on her wits and each wolf’s unique abilities to accomplish risky rescue missions. But as the forest changes and new dangers begin lurking, are Stacy and the wolves prepared for the perils that await them?

DanTDM: Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal

Age: 8-12

Summary: From the mind of one of the most popular YouTubers of all time, DanTDM, comes a graphic novel adventure that reimagines the Minecraft-style worlds and characters he’s created like you’ve never seen them before.

After a day of experiments, Trayaurus and DanTDM are about to call it a night when a strange-looking crystal plummets to earth, breaking into five pieces that scatter far and wide. DanTDM and Trayaurus recover one of the shards and quickly realize they are in possession of an object more powerful than anything they’ve ever known.

Word reaches DanTDM and Trayaurus that other pieces of crystal have been recovered—a group of pigs have harnessed the crystals’ power to enable them to talk. But they’re not alone—Dan and Trayaurus’s archenemy, Denton, has also found a shard and manipulated its power for evil. He has created a cloning machine and is producing a terrifying marauding army intent on hunting down the remaining crystals in his effort to become all-powerful.

It’s down to DanTDM and Trayaurus to stop him. Will they prevail, or will the forces of evil be too great for them to overcome?

Homerooms and Hall Passes

Age: 8-12

Summary: In the mystical realm of Bríandalör, every day the brave and the bold delve into hidden temples or forgotten dungeons, battling vile monsters and evil wizards to loot their treasure hoards for sweet, sweet magic items.

But in their free time, our heroes—Thromdurr the mighty barbarian, Devis the shifty thief, Vela the noble paladin, Sorrowshade the Gloom Elf assassin, and Albiorix the (good!) wizard—need to relax and unwind.

That’s why they meet up once a week to play Homerooms & Hall Passes: a role-playing game where they assume the characters of average American eighth graders.

But when the five young adventurers are magically transported into their H&H game by an ancient curse, they must band together to survive their toughest challenge yet: middle school.

Who knew that battling ogres would be easier than passing algebra or navigating the cafeteria social scene? They must use what they’ve learned from playing Homerooms & Hall Passes to figure out how to save their game world (which might actually be real…).

FGTeeV Presents: Into the Game!

Age: 8-12

Summary: The FGTeeV family gamers have played hundreds of games together. Which is why Moomy decides to make a new game called My Pet Fish. Just one problem: the game is SUPER boring. And one other problem: Moomy and Duddy accidentally got sucked into it—and now they’re trapped!

It’s up to the kids, Lexi, Mike, Chase, and Shawn, to jump into the gaming console and rescue their parents. But first, they have to battle their way through their favorite games until they find the one their parents are stuck in. Can the kids take on a vicious pack of vampire prairie dogs, flying doody diapers, some spooky ghouls, and one incredibly dull fish before Moomy and Duddy are bored to death

Conclusion

Video game books for middle schoolers are a fantastic way to ignite a love for reading in your young gamers. By bringing the excitement of their favorite digital adventures into the world of books, you’re helping them discover that reading can be just as thrilling as any game. So, the next time you’re looking to encourage some screen-free time, consider a book that lets your child relive their favorite games—this time, in print. With these fun and engaging reads, you might just find that getting your kids to read is easier than completing the final level of their favorite game!

Just like GameTruck parties, video game books are the cool new thing! Readers are bound to find a book for gamers like themselves, and don’t be afraid to pick one of these up for yourself too! Happy reading! 

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