If you haven't heard of Jason Reynolds, he’s basically the G.O.A.T. of writing for kids who think they hate reading. He doesn't write "down" to them, and he doesn't use that weird, sanitized "adult-trying-to-sound-like-a-teen" voice that makes everyone cringe.

The Track series follows four kids—Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu—who are all chosen for an elite track team called the Defenders. They all come from wildly different backgrounds, but they’re all "running" from something in their personal lives. Each book is told from a different character's perspective, covering the same season from four different angles. It’s like a literary version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but with fewer capes and more 400-meter sprints.

Middle school is a weird time where kids are trying to figure out if they’re still "little kids" or if they’re becoming adults. Most media for this age group is either too babyish or way too mature. Reynolds hits the sweet spot.

Kids love these books because they feel lived-in. When Ghost talks about eating sunflower seeds or Patina describes the stress of "mothering" her own sister, kids recognize those feelings. It’s fast-paced, the chapters are short (huge win for the TikTok attention span), and the stakes feel incredibly high, even if they’re just about a track meet or a neighborhood confrontation.

Learn more about why Jason Reynolds is so popular with reluctant readers

While you could technically read these out of order, you really shouldn't. The character arcs overlap, and the emotional payoff in the final book, Lu, won't hit nearly as hard if you haven't seen the growth from book one.

Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw is the heart of the series. He’s a kid with a lot of "scream" inside him. His backstory is heavy—his father is in prison after a violent incident involving a gun—and Ghost has been running ever since. He joins the track team on a whim, wearing high-top sneakers he cut the tops off of to make them look like running shoes. It’s a story about trauma, mentorship (shoutout to Coach Otis), and finding a place to belong when the world feels unsafe.

Patty is the "mom" of the group, but not by choice. Her father is dead, and her mother has lost her legs to diabetes. Patty and her sister live with their aunt and uncle, and Patty feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. She runs the 800m because it’s the hardest race, and she’s used to doing the hard work. This book is a masterclass in exploring "glass child" syndrome and the pressure we put on eldest daughters.

Sunny is the character who surprised me the most. He’s wealthy, he’s kind, and he’s a "legacy" runner—his mom was a champion. But his mom died giving birth to him, and his dad is obsessed with Sunny winning to honor her memory. The twist? Sunny doesn't even want to run. He wants to dance. It’s a beautiful look at grief, father-son dynamics, and the courage it takes to tell your parents who you actually are.

Lu is the "golden boy" with albinism who has to confront his own ego and some pretty heavy family secrets. He’s the captain, but he has to learn what leadership actually looks like when things go wrong. It ties all the loose ends from the previous three books together and finishes with a track meet that will actually have you holding your breath.

Recommended Ages: 10-14 (Grades 5-8)

This is the quintessential middle school series. While the reading level is accessible for a 4th grader, the themes are definitely "big kid" themes.

Content to be aware of:

If your kid is on the younger side (8-10), you might want to start them with Stuntboy, in the Meantime, which is also by Reynolds but much more whimsical and visual.

Check out our guide on the best books for 11-year-olds

Here’s the no-BS take: your kid is likely spending a lot of time in digital spaces that are optimized for engagement but low on empathy. YouTube shorts and Instagram reels are designed to keep them scrolling, not thinking.

The Track series is the opposite. It forces them to step into the shoes of someone who doesn't look like them, or live like them, or have the same advantages they do. It builds "empathy muscles" that are often neglected in the digital age.

Also, if you have a "reluctant reader"—the kid who would rather play Fortnite until their eyes bleed than pick up a book—this is your secret weapon. Reynolds writes with a rhythm and a slang that feels authentic. It doesn't feel like "homework." It feels like a conversation.

If your kid is reading these, don't just ask "did you like it?" That’s a conversation killer. Try these instead:

Ask our chatbot for discussion questions for the Track series

The Track series is a 10/10 recommendation. It’s rare to find a series that is both critically acclaimed (award-winning) and actually "cool" to kids. If you’re looking to balance out the "brain rot" of modern digital consumption with something that has soul, grit, and a lot of heart, buy the box set.

Even if your kid isn't an athlete, they’ll find themselves in these pages. Because at the end of the day, we’re all running toward something.

See more book recommendations for middle schoolers