King Philip Middle School’s Summer Reading Program
Read, Write, and Win!
Dear Rising Seventh Graders and Parents/Guardians,
With great enthusiasm, the seventh grade language arts teachers would like to
introduce the KPMS Summer Reading Program. Reading good books over the summer is
one of the best ways to keep yourself engaged in new ideas. In addition, reading helps
you experience other places, other people, and other times, while gaining a deeper
understanding of yourself. With this in mind, please find the attached list of 109 Titles
to Tempt Your Imagination. These titles represent the best in young adult literature.
They are selected for their outstanding literary merit, as well as their popularity and
relevance to the lives of middle school students. To help with your selection, books are
organized by genre; starred titles signify a challenging read. Seventh grade teachers
know that some readers are more sophisticated than others; therefore, we are
requesting that parents/guardians be active participants in helping their son/daughter
choose appropriate titles for summer reading.
Students entering a level one course are required to read two books, from two
different genres on the attached list. Students entering a level two course are
required to read one book from the attached list. An “Active Reader Log” must be
completed for each required book. Please be sure to review the requirements for this log
on the last page of this handout. Also, please note that a parent/guardian must sign
to indicate the completion of each book. When you arrive in September, you will be
asked to complete a project based on a summer reading book of your choice. The project
will allow you to celebrate the book you chose, and you will be able to travel from class to
class to get a sampling of the great books that your peers read over the summer. At the
completion of this project, we are sure you will walk away with a plethora of ideas for
your next pleasure reading adventure.
To inspire reading and challenge our students to set summer reading goals, we are
sponsoring the “Read, Write, and Win Challenge.” As previously mentioned, for each book
you read, you will complete an “Active Reader Log” and obtain a parent signature. In
September, you will turn in your “Active Reader Log(s)” for raffle tickets. (One ticket
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
will be given out for each completed log.) The tickets will then be entered into a drawing
to win Barnes and Noble gift cards. Therefore, the more books you read, the more
tickets you will receive, and the more likely you will win one of the gift cards. We are so
excited to present this challenge to you and for you to read, write, and win!
For your convenience, a copy of this letter, the list of 109 Titles to Tempt Your
Imagination, and the “Active Reader Log” can be found on the KPMS Language Arts
Department Website. We extend our warmest wishes to all of our rising seventh graders
for an amazing summer. We cannot wait to greet you, meet you, and get to know you in
September.
Sincerely,
Seventh Grade Language Arts Teachers
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
109+ Titles to Tempt Your Imagination
Fantasy
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder, a gifted mechanic and a cyborg with a mysterious past, is blamed by her stepmother for
her stepsister's illness while a deadly plague decimates the population of New Beijing, but when
Cinder's life gets intertwined with Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic
struggle.
Cold Cereal by Adam Rex
A boy who may be part changeling, twins involved in a bizarre secret experiment, and a
clurichaun in a red tracksuit try to save the world from an evil cereal company whose ultimate
goal is world domination.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The orphan Bod, short for Nobody, is taken in by the inhabitants of a graveyard as a child of
eighteen months and raised lovingly and carefully to the age of eighteen years by the
community of ghosts and otherworldly creatures.
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
After fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is hit by a taxi and killed, she finds herself in a place that is both like
and unlike Earth, where she must adjust to her new status and figure out how to "live."
Saavy Series by Ingrid Law
Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a
magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible
accident.
The Amulet of Samarkand Series by Jonathan Stroud
Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, becomes caught in a web of magical espionage, murder,
and rebellion, after he summons the djinn Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of
Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Loveland.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
The City of Beasts by Isabel Allende
When fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold accompanies his individualistic grandmother on an
expedition to find a humanoid Beast in the Amazon, he experiences ancient wonders and a
supernatural world as he tries to avert disaster for the Indians.
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
A young man with a mysterious past and a penchant for inventing things leaves the troll who
raised him, meets an unhappy princess he has loved from afar, and discovers a plot against her
and her father.
Ranger’s Apprentice Series by John Flanagan
Contains three novels from John Flanagan's fantasy fiction series that features "The Ruins of
Gorlan," "The Burning Bridge," and "The Icebound Land," that follows fifteen-year-old Will on
his adventures with Rangers, and defending the kingdom of Araluen.
The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
In the city of Ember, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to
run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
Eragon Series by Christopher Paolini
Eragon tries to uphold the oath he made to save Katrina from King Galbatorix, while being
pulled in different directions by the needs of the Varden, elves, and dwarves--all of whom need
his help and strength to overcome the tyranny of the king.
Cosmic by Frank Boyce
Liam is too big for his boots. And his football strip. And his school blazer. But being super-sized heightwise has its advantages: he's the only eleven-year-old to ever ride the G-force defying Cosmic
rollercoaster - or be offered the chance to drive a Porsche. Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boykind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the
job? Sometimes being big isn't all about being a grown-up.
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Jacob and Will Reckless have looked out for each other ever since their father disappeared, but
when Jacob discovers a magical mirror that transports him to a warring world populated by
witches, giants, and ogres, he keeps it to himself until Will follows him one day, with dire
consequences.
The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
Piper McCloud's ability to fly sets her apart from the other kids, so her mother sends her to an
exclusive school for children with exceptional abilities, but even there she does not fit in with
the other students.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Chronicles of Prydian Series by Lloyd Alexander
The setting of the Chronicles is the Land of Prydain, an ancient country
of many small kingdoms, in which enchantment abounds and "evil is
never far". The main character is Taran of Caer Dallben, a sometimes
rash young man who dreams of being a hero, and who strives to be
honorable through his many adventures.
Science Fiction
Interstellar Pig by William Sleator
Barney’s boring seaside vacation suddenly becomes more interesting when the cottage next
door is occupied by three exotic neighbors who are addicted to a game they call "Interstellar
Pig.”
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
In 2194 in Zimbabwe, General Matsika's three children are kidnapped and put to work in a
plastic mine, while three mutant detectives use their special powers to search for them.
Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
The series is centered around the adventures of Maximum "Max" Ride and five other
characters after their escape from the lab facility known as The School. Their group is
labeled the Flock, reminiscent of the fact that each of the main characters are avianhuman hybrids, (they have wings) a result from the Flock's past involvement with The
School.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Meg and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father,
who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Perason
In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and
brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and
suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence.
Larklight by Philip Reeve
Myrtle and Art, living with their father in an old Victorian house that floats in Earth's orbit, are
called upon to save themselves and the universe from elephant-sized white spiders and join
forces with the notorious space pirate Jack Havock.
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (highly recommended for girls)
Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral
palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.
Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield (highly recommended for girls)
Tally is faced with a difficult choice when her new friend Shay decides to risk life on the outside rather
than submit to the forced operation that turns sixteen year old girls into gorgeous beauties, and realizes
that there is a whole new side to the pretty world that she doesn't like.
The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman
Honor, living with her mom and dad on Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea, an environment
controlled by the Earth Mother Corporation in a post-apocalyptic world, becomes more
fearful as she grows older and realizes that her nonconformist parents are putting the entire
family at risk.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children,
Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another
"third" convinces him that the government is wrong.
Mortal Engines Philip Reeve
In the distant future, when cities move about and consume smaller towns, a fifteen-year-old
apprentice is pushed out of London by the man he most admires and must seek answers in
the perilous Out-Country, aided by one girl and the memory of another.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements When fifteen-year-old Bobby wakes up and finds
himself invisible, he and his parents and his new blind friend Alicia try to find out what
caused his condition and how to reverse it.
The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
In a future where humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of
El Patrón, the 142-year-old leader of a corrupt drug empire nestled between Mexico and the
United States.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfield
In an alternate 1914 Europe, fifteen-year-old Austrian Prince Alek, on the run from the
Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the globe using mechanical machinery,
forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn who, disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service, is
learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts.
The Search for Wondla by Tony Diterlizzi
Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre
life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others
like her. Features "augmented reality" pages, in which readers with a webcam can access
additional information about Eva Nine's world.
Witch and Wizard series by James Patterson
A sister and brother, along with thousands of young people, have been kidnapped and
either thrown in prison or turned up missing after accusations of witchcraft were made
against them, and the ruling regime will do anything in order to suppress life and liberty,
music and books.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender, who is the result of genetic experimentation, may be the military genius Earth
needs in its war against an alien enemy.
Sports
Night Hoops by Carl Deuker
While trying to prove that he is good enough to play on his high school's varsity basketball
team, Nick must also deal with his parents' divorce and erratic behavior of a troubled
classmate who lives across the street.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John Ritter
The fate of a small California town rests on the outcome of one baseball game, and Tom
Gallagher hopes to lead his team to victory with the secrets of the now disgraced player,
Dante Del Gato.
Home of the Brave by David Klass
Eighteen-year-old Joe, captain of the soccer team, is dismayed when a hotshot player
shows up from Brazil and threatens to take over both the team and the girl whom Joe
hopes to date.
Crackback by John Coy
Miles barely recalls when football was fun after being singled out by a new coach, constantly
criticized by his father, and pressured by his best friend to take performance-enhancing
drugs.
The Prince of Fenway by Juliana Baggott
In the fall of 2004, twelve-year-old Oscar Egg is sent to live with his father in a strange
netherworld under Boston's Fenway Park, where he joins the fairies, pooka, banshee, and
other beings that are trapped there, waiting for someone to break the eighty-six-year-old
curse that has prevented the Boston Red Sox from winning a World Series.
Taking Sides by Gary Soto
Fourteen-year-old Lincoln Mendoza, an aspiring basketball player, must come to terms with
his divided loyalties when he moves from the Hispanic inner city to a white suburban
neighborhood.
Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein (or any book from The Changeup Series)
After winning a basketball reporting contest, eighth graders Stevie and Susan Carol are sent to cover
the Final Four tournament, where they discover that a talented player is being blackmailed into
throwing the final game.
Rash by Peter Hautman
In a future society that has decided it would "rather be safe than free," sixteen-year-old
Bo's anger management problems land him in a tundra jail where he survives with the help
of his running skills and an artificial intelligence program named Bork.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Crash by Jerry Spinelli
Crash Coogan, rising football sensation, and his friend, Mike make a regular practice of
tormenting the school nerd, Penn Webb, but when Mike takes a prank too far, Crash finds
himself locked in a moral dilemma.
True Legend by Mike Lupica
Fifteen-year-old Drew "True" Robinson loves being the best point-guard prospect in high
school basketball, but learns the consequences of fame through a former player, as well as
through the man who expects to be his manager when True reaches the NBA.
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
During the 1950s, young Maggie struggles to will her beloved Brooklyn Dodgers to a victory
in the World Series and wishes that her friend Jim, a soldier in Korea, would answer her
letters.
Mystery and Adventure
The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
Fourteen-year-old Seikei, a tea merchant's son, dreams of being a samurai, and he gets a
chance to prove his worth when, as the only witness to the theft of a priceless ruby
intended for the shogun, he is asked to assist the samurai magistrate in solving the crime.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Sixteen-year-old Jacob, having traveled to a remote island after a family tragedy, discovers an
abandoned orphanage, and, after some investigating, he learns the children who lived there may have
been dangerous and quarantined and may also still be alive.
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
While her father works on the Manhattan Project, eleven-year-old gadget lover and outcast
Dewey Kerrigan lives in Los Alamos Camp, and becomes friends with Suze, another young
girl who is shunned by her peers.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Cold Case by Julia Platt Leonard
When thirteen-year-old Oz Keillor finds a dead body in his family's Santa Fe, New Mexico,
restaurant, he is determined to solve the mystery in which his older brother is implicated,
but which also involves their long-dead father, who was accused of being a spy.
Thunder from the Sea by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Just when his dreams of being part of a family and having a dog seem to be coming true,
Tom wonders if trouble with neighbors on his new island home and the impending birth of a
new baby will change everything. Set in Newfoundland in 1929.
The Dark Pond by Joseph Bruchac
After he feels a mysterious pull drawing him toward a dark, shadowy pond in the woods,
Armie looks to old Native American tales for guidance about the dangerous monster lurking
in the water.
All the Lovely Bones by Mary Downing Hahn
Travis and his sister Corey decide to boost business at their grandmother's Vermont inn by staging a
few "hauntings" that soon draw tourists from across the country, but when their antics awaken a dark
force, they must find a way to put to rest the ghosts they have disturbed.
Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn
When thirteen-year-old Logan and his family move into a run-down old house in rural Virginia, he
discovers that a woman was murdered there and becomes involved with his neighbor Arthur in a
dangerous investigation to try to uncover the killer.
The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
Cassandra and Max find a missing magician's notebook and start to investigate the fire
which burnt down his house and his mysterious "symphony of smells."
Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg
Thirteen-year-old Branwell loses his power of speech after being wrongly accused of gravely injuring his
baby half-sister, and only his friend Connor is able to reach him and uncover the truth about what
happened.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Trash by Andy Mulligan
A group of fourteen-year-old boys, who make a living picking garbage from the outskirts of
a large city, finds something special and mysterious that brings terrifying consequences.
The Enemy by Charles Higson
A group of young survivors is offered safety from the roaming packs of zombie-like adults
in Buckingham Palace, but, even after they survive their perilous journey through London,
the teens arrive only to find their fight is far from over.
Zach’s Lie by Roland Smith
When Jack Osborne is befriended by his school's custodian and a Basque girl, he begins to
adjust to his family's sudden move to Elko, Nevada, after entering the Witness Security
Program, but the drug cartel against which his father will testify determined to track them
down.
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz (or anything by this author)
After the death of the uncle who had been his guardian, fourteen-year-old Alex Rider is
coerced to continue his uncle's dangerous work for Britain's intelligence agency, MI6.
Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz
Three from Anthony Horowitz that depict the adventures of fourteen-year-old Alex Rider on his
mission to continue his uncle's work for Britain's intelligence agency, MI6, and includes Stormbreaker,
Point Blank, and Skeleton Key.
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
When Ted and Kat's cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye Ferris wheel, the two siblings must
work together--Ted with his brain that is "wired differently" and impatient Kat--to try to solve the
mystery of what happened to Salim.
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Relates the stories of twelve-year-old Ben, who loses his mother and his hearing in a
short time frame and decides to leave his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he
has never known in New York City; and Rose, who lives with her father but feels
compelled to search for what is missing in her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in
pictures.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Sent (or any book in the Missing Series) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Jonah, Katherine, Chip, and Alex find themselves in 1483 at the Tower of London, and
discover that Chip and Alex are Prince Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, imprisoned
by Richard III; but trying to repair history without knowing what is supposed to happen
proves challenging.
Woods Runner (or Guts) by Gary Paulsen
From his 1776 Pennsylvania homestead, thirteen-year-old Samuel, who is a highly-skilled
woodsman, sets out toward New York City to rescue his parents from the band of British
soldiers and Native Americans who kidnapped them after slaughtering most of their
community. Includes historical notes.
Gone Series by Michael Grant (very popular)
In a small town on the coast of California, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears,
setting up a battle between the remaining town residents and the students from a local private school,
as well as those who have "The Power" and are able to perform supernatural feats and those who do
not.
Scat by Carl Hiassen
Nick and Marta are both suspicious when their biology teacher, the feared Mrs. Bunny Starch,
disappears, and try to uncover the truth despite the police and headmaster's insistence that nothing is
wrong.
Historical Fiction
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to
go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh
circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.
The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
Seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood, stuck in Mrs. Baker's classroom during the 1967 school year while his
classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, learns much of value about the world in which he
lives from the study of the plays of William Shakespeare.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli
After being taken by German soldiers from a local movie theater along with other Italian boys including
his Jewish friend, Roberto is forced to work in Germany, escapes into the Ukrainian winter, before
desperately trying to make his way back home to Venice.
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle (also a great mystery)
Years afterwards, Ruben Hart tells the story of how, in 1929 Newport, Rhode Island, his family and his
best friend's family were caught up in the violent competition among groups trying to control the local
rum-smuggling trade.
Daniel Half Human by Janet Taylor Lisle
In 1933, best friends Daniel and Armin admire Hitler, but as anti-Semitism buoys Hitler to
power, Daniel learns he is half Jewish, threatening the friendship even as life in their beloved
Hamburg, Germany, is becoming nightmarish. Also details Daniel and Armin's reunion in
1945 in interspersed chapters.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called "Out-With" in 1942,
Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire
fence.
The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle
In 1942, Robert and his cousin Elliot uncover long-hidden family secrets while staying in
their grandparents' Rhode Island town, where they also become involved with a German
artist who is suspected of being a spy.
One Crazy Summer by Anita Williams-Garcia
In the summer of 1968, after traveling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a
month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger
sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and
printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black
Panther summer camp.
On the Blue Comet by Rosemary Wells (also a fantasy and great historical characters and
most amusing)
When the Depression hits in Cairo, Illinois, and Oscar Ogilvie's father must sell their home and
vast model train set-up to look for work in California, eleven-year-old Oscar is left with his
dour aunt, where he befriends a mysterious drifter, witnesses a stunning bank robbery, and is
suddenly catapulted onto a train that takes him to a different time and place.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
The summer that Hattie turns twelve, she meets the childlike uncle she never knew and
becomes friends with a girl who works at the carnival that comes to Hattie's small town.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris
train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toy seller and his goddaughter, his undercover life
and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
Chains by Laura Halse Anderson
After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the
rebels during the Revolutionary War.
Forge by Laura Halse Anderson
Curzon, having matured from boy to man over the course of the winter with the army at
Valley Forge, worries that someone will learn he is a runaway slave passing for free, and
tries to figure out the meaning of his friendship with Isabel.
Wolf Brother Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Series (Book 1) by Michelle Paver
Twelve-year-old Tarak and his guide, a wolf cub, set out on a dangerous journey to fulfill
an oath the boy made to his dying father--to travel to the Mountain of the World Spirit
seeking a way to destroy a demon-possessed bear that threatens all the clans.
Realistic Fiction
The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm
Tired of being bullied and picked on, three seventh-grade outcasts join forces, and using
scientific methods and the power of the Internet, begin to create a new atmosphere at
Parkland Middle School.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Bystander by James Preller
Thirteen-year-old Eric discovers there are consequences to not standing by and watching as
the bully at his new school hurts people, but although school officials are aware of the
problem, Eric may be the one with a solution.
The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erksine
Mike, a fourteen-year-old boy with a math learning disability, is sent to rural Pennsylvania for
the summer to work on an engineering project, and while his plans to impress his
mathematician father fall flat when Mike discovers the project has nothing to do with
engineering, he learns much more valuable lessons while working with his eccentric, elderly
aunt, a homeless man, and a punk rock girl as part of a town wide effort to adopt a
Romanian orphan.
The Candymaker by Wendy Mass
Four gifted twelve-year-olds, including Logan, the candymaker's son, are set to be
contestants in the Confectionary Association's national competition to determine the nation's
tastiest sweet, but nobody anticipates that a friendship will form between them.
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
A middle school boy's life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts attending his
Catholic school while receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Belly spends the summer she turns sixteen at the beach just like every other summer of her
life, but this time things are very different as she finds herself falling for a boy she has
known since childhood.
Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
A quirky and utterly logical seventh-grade girl named Emma-Jean Lazarus discovers some
interesting results when she gets involved in the messy everyday problems of her peers.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Fourmile by Watt Key
A mysterious stranger arrives at a boy's rundown Alabama farm home, just as a dangerous
situation is unfolding for the twelve-year-old and his widowed mother"--Provided by
publisher.
Crunch by Leslie Connor (very humorous)
The oldest Mariss brother, fourteen-year-old Dewey, attempts to be the "embodiment of
responsibility" as he juggles the management of the family's bicycle repair business while
sharing the household and farm duties with his siblings after a sudden energy crisis strands
their parents far from home.
The Paperboy by Vince Vawter
When an eleven-year-old boy takes over a friend's newspaper route in July, 1959, in
Memphis, his debilitating stutter makes for a memorable month.
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
Twelve-year-old Addie tries to cope with her mother's erratic behavior and being separated
from her beloved stepfather and half-sisters when she and her mother go to live in a small
trailer by the railroad tracks on the outskirts of Schenectady, New York.
Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her
great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father.
Hidden Talents by David Lubar
Thirteen-year-old Martin, a new student at an alternative school for misfits and problem
students, falls in with a group of boys with psychic powers and discovers something
surprising about himself.
All Alone in the Universe by Lynne Rae Perkins
Debbie is dismayed when her best friend Maureen starts spending time with ordinary, boring Glenna.
The Misfits by James Howe
Four students who do not fit in at their small-town middle school decide to create a third
party for the student council elections to represent all students who have ever been called
names.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
Ally, Bree, and Jack meet at Moon Shadow, an isolated campground, to watch a total
eclipse of the sun; but soon they begin to learn a great deal about themselves, each other,
and the universe.
Schooled by Gordon Korman (perfect Grade 7 choice)
Cap lives in isolation with his grandmother, a former hippie; but when she falls from a tree and breaks
her hip, Cap is sent to a foster home where he has his first experience in a public school.
Lemonade Mouth by Peter Hughes
A disparate group of high school students thrown together in detention form a band to play
at a school talent show and end up competing with a wildly popular local rock band.
My Almost Epic Summer by Adele Griffin
Stuck babysitting during the summer while her friends take glamorous vacations, fourteenyear-old Irene learns some lessons about life after meeting a beautiful, yet troubled, girl.
Hoot by Carl Hiassan
Chomp or any book by Carl Hiassan
Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy's attempt
to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O’Rourke Dowell
Because living with "modern-hippy" parents on a goat farm means fourteen-year-old Janie
Gorman cannot have a normal high school life, she tries joining Jam Band, making friends
with Monster, and spending time with elderly former civil rights workers.
Humor
The Amazing Adventures of John Smith Jr. AKA Houdini by Peter Johnson
Thirteen-year-old John "Houdini" Smith tries to write a book about what is happening in his
life, from his parents' worries about money and his brother in Iraq, to his new
understandings of people while he and his friends rake lawns in their East Side Providence,
Rhode Island neighborhood.
I Represent Sean Rosen by Jeff Baron (for Diary of Whimpy Kids fans)
With the help of his "manager," a thirteen-year-old boy sells a movie idea to a major
Hollywood studio
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Dead End in Norvelt or anything else by Jack Gantos
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the
summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly
neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted
promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and
countless bloody noses.
Crazy Weekend by Gary Soto
After their photograph of a robbery is published in the newspaper, Hector and Mando find
themselves pursued by two goofy thieves.
How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen
When thirteen-year-old, bowling-obsessed Lamar Washington finds out that his idol is
coming to town, he finds himself involved in some unsavory activities as he tries to change
his image to impress people.
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Seventeen-year-old Vince's life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of
a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the
daughter of an FBI agent.
The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman
Gecko, Arjay, and Terence, all in trouble with the law, must find a way to keep their halfway house open
in order to stay out of juvenile detention.
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
A boy recounts his annual summer trips to rural Illinois with his sister during the Great
Depression to visit their larger-than-life grandmother.
Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar
While navigating his first year of high school and awaiting the birth of his new baby
brother, Scott loses old friends and gains some unlikely new ones as he hones his skills as
a writer.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanan
In alternating chapters, two teenagers describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and
their families have changed over the years.
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko (also realistic seventh grade fiction)
Kirsten and Walk, seventh-graders at an elite private school, describe how race, wealth, weight, and
other issues shape their relationships as they and other misfits stand up to a mean but influential
classmate.
Squashed by Joan Bauer
As sixteen-year-old Ellie pursues her two goals--growing the biggest pumpkin in Iowa and
losing twenty pounds herself--she strengthens her relationship with her father and meets a
young man with interests similar to her own.
For animal lovers…
The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John
After a fire kills her parents, eleven-year-old Martine must leave England to live with her
grandmother on a wildlife game reserve in South Africa, where she befriends a mythical
white giraffe.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (a popular and heartfelt classic)
A young boy living in the Ozarks achieves his heart's desire when he becomes the owner of two redbone
hounds and teaches them to be champion hunters.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Enzo, the dog of professional race car driver Denny Swift, recalls the memories of his life
and shares his insight into the human condition that he learned from observing his owner.
Thunder From the Sea by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Just when his dreams of being part of a family and having a dog seem to be coming true,
Tom wonders if trouble with neighbors on his new island home and the impending birth of a
new baby will change everything. Set in Newfoundland in 1929.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo (Newbery winner 2014)
A girl named Flora and a squirrel named Ulysses, whose life was saved by Flora after he
was involved in an incident with a vacuum cleaner, team up to use Ulysses' superpowers
to conquer villains and protect the weak.
Get Inspired with Nonfiction
Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by
Steve Sheinkin
Examines the history of the atomic bomb, discussing the discovery of the behavior of
uranium when placed next to radioactive material, the race to build a bomb, and the
impact of the weapon on societies around the world.
Left for Dead by Peter Nelson
Recalls the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis at the end of World War II, the Navy coverup and unfair court martial of the ship's captain, and how a young boy helped the survivors
set the record straight fifty-five years later.
Marching for Freedom by Elizabeth Partridge
Recounts the three months of protest that took place before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s landmark
march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery to promote equal rights and help African-Americans
earn the right to vote.
Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker
Provides an account of the disaster that occurred on December 6, 1917, when two ships
carrying munitions and relief supplies to Europe collided, causing an explosion that
leveled the towns of Halifax and Dartmouth and resulted in the deaths of nearly two
thousand people.
We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Children’s March by Cynthia Levinson
Discusses the 1963 Birmingham Children's March in Birmingham, Alabama.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Janis Joplin: Rising Up Singing by Ann Angel
A biography of rock musician Janis Joplin, with photographs and anecdotes from those who
knew her, covering her work to improve as a singer, struggle against authority, and love for
her mother.
Sir Charlie Chaplin: The Funniest Man in the World by Sid Fleishman
Chronicles the life and accomplishments of Charlie Chaplin, describing the silent film star
and director's impoverished childhood in London and his rise to fame in Hollywood and
within the film industry.
The Good, the Bad and the Barbie: A Doll’s History and her Impact on Us by
Tanya Lee Stone
Explores how Barbie has influenced generations of girls, discussing criticisms of the doll,
her role in fashion, and her surprising popularity during her first fifty years.
Susan Butcher and the Iditarod Trail by Ellen Dolan
Describes the annual dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, and the life of the woman
who was the first person to win it for three consecutive years.
In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You by Shari Grydon
Examines the culture of beauty and its effects on young people, looks at how perceptions of beauty
have changed over time, and offers advice on how to sift through the messages that glorify beauty
and learn to put them in perspective.
Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-Li Jiang
The author tells about the happy life she led in China up until she was twelve-years-old
when her family became a target of the Cultural Revolution, and discusses the choice she
had to make between denouncing her father and breaking with her family, or refusing to
speak against him and losing her future in the Communist Party.
The Greatest: Muhammed Ali by Walter Dean Myers
An illustrated biography of boxing great Muhammad Ali that addresses his politics, his fight
against Parkinson's disease, and boxing's dangers.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Through my Eyes by Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges recounts the story of her involvement, as a six-year old, in the integration
of her school in New Orleans in 1960.
Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books by Gary Paulsen
The author relates incidents in his life and how they inspired parts of his books about the character,
Brian Robeson
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Describes seven habits teenagers can cultivate to help them improve their self-images, build friendships,
resist peer pressure, achieve goals, get along with parents, and make other positive changes in their
lives.
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson
Recounts the twelve-day pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth, covering the chase
through Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, with a discussion of Abraham Lincoln as a
father, husband, and friend that examines the impact of his death on those close to him.
The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb
Presents the history of the group of spies, Holocaust survivors, and lawyers who pursued
Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi war criminal, for fifteen years in order to bring him to justice for his
leadership role in the killing of thousands of Jews during World War II.
Titanic: Voices From the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
Draws on stories from survivors and archival photographs to describe the history of the
"Titanic" from its launch to its sinking.
Lincoln’s Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin
An account of how counterfeiter Benjamin Boyd's gang stole the body of Abraham Lincoln
and demanded Boyd's release from jail and two hundred thousand dollars as ransom and
the efforts of the Secret Service to recover the remains.
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Active Reader Log
“Sign Post” – As an active reader, you should always be looking for the “signs” that suggest theme,
conflict, character development, symbolism, flashbacks, and other key literary elements.
Directions: During or after reading, please fill in ALL of the boxes on the following pages. Each page is
asking you to focus on a different “sign post” using your novel. Fill in the boxes using clearly written
bullet points with corresponding page numbers.
Sign Post #1 - Contrasts & Contradictions
Text Clue: Sometimes characters act unexpectedly, or the reader is surprised by an unusual event or
statement. Track any contrasts in the log below
Where in the text does a character do
something unexpected?
What inference can you make about why the
character would act this way?
Character Name:___________________
Where in the text does an unexpected event or
statement show up?
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
What inference can you make about why this
event or statement occurred?
Sign Post #2 - “Aha!” Moment
Text Clue: The character realizes or starts to realize something important
What is an “Aha!” moment in the text?
What inference can you make about what the
character will do or think now?
What is an “Aha!” moment in the text?
What inference can you make about what the
character will do or think now?
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Sign Post #3 - Tough Questions
Text Clue: Characters ask tough questions that reveal concerns about the book’s conflict.
What is the character’s tough question?
What does the question make you wonder
about? What does it tell you about the
character?
Character Name:___________________
What is a different character’s tough question?
Character Name:___________________
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
What does the question make you wonder
about? What does it tell you about the
character?
Sign Post #4 - Words of the Wiser
Text Clue: A wiser, more experienced character offers a life lesson.
What was the lesson/advice?
What inference can you make about why this
advice/lesson is important?
What was a different piece of advice?
What inference can you make about why this
advice/lesson is important?
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Sign Post #5 - Again & Again
Text Clue: The author keeps repeating the same image, phrase, reference, or object for a certain reason
or purpose
What is one image, phrase, reference, or object
that is being repeated again and again?
Why do you think the author keeps bringing up
this idea?
What is another image, phrase, reference, or
object that is being repeated again and again?
Why do you think the author keeps bringing up
this idea?
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015
Sign Post #6 - Memory Moment
Text Clue: The author interrupts the flow of the story by letting a character remember something
What did the character remember?
Why might this memory be important?
What was another memory that a character
remembered?
Why might this memory be important?
Summary Note from Follett Software Company 2015