7th grade Summer Reading List
Purpose: The following titles are great stories that should make summer more fun, so, if kids start a
book and get about 1/3 of the way through or about 3 chapters, and don’t like it, set it aside and try
something else!
Assignment: This assignment will also help me evaluate your writing skills and see where we need to
begin 7th grade. Read at least two of the following books over the summer. For each book, write a
summary of the plot using only 3rd person. Each essay should be at least 5 sentences and will be turned
in on the first day of school.
a) Sentence #1 - state a fact about your book, the title and the author (do NOT use the
phrase “I read” or anything that refers to yourself). Ex. Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise
Broach intrigues readers with its strong, mysterious plot. Ex. Because of Winn-Dixie by
Kate DiCamillo causes readers to both laugh and cry.
b) Sentences #3-5 - explain the plot in terms of a story arc (see below).
c) Last Sentence - who should read this book (do NOT say “I think”). State the age range,
type of interests, and type of reader who would like this book. If you did not like it,
think about who would. Ex. Travel Team is ideal for middle schoolers who enjoy
basketball and understanding parent-child relationships. Ex. Readers who want to learn
more about the past but need a compelling mystery to keep their attention will find
Moon Over Manifest fascinating.
Story arc: a way of looking at the plot, in which you answer the questions:




Who are the main characters?
What do they want? (Beginning)
What obstacles do they face to getting what they want? (Middle)
How do they overcome these obstacles? (End)
Book Choices:
Look these up on Amazon.com for more detail, and please note the caveats for some books. Not every
book is appropriate for every child or family. “Coming of age” is the theme underlying nearly all of these
stories; it means they’re about kids between about 11-16 having a particular crisis that brings about
some maturity. In no particular order:
Crazy Dangerous, Andrew Klavan. Sam Hopkins learns about Jennifer’s terrifying schizophrenic visions
when they begin to come true. Sam becomes a hero when he stands up to some thugs who hurt
Jennifer, the vulnerable sister of school track star Mark Sales. However, things aren’t all they seem, and
the source of Jennifer’s visions is the heart of the story. Klavan is published by a Christian publisher, but
this one implies Jennifer’s visions are demonic and while that is biblical, I found it scary, too.
Counting by 7s, Holly Sloan. Willow Chance is an oddball genius with a gift for growing things and a
passion for science and math. After losing both of her parents in a car accident, she is adrift in the
world, and this book is about how she puts her life back together. Many students and their parents
passionately adore this book, and it is on many “best book” lists of the last year or two.
Wake Up Missing, Kate Messner. Four kids with traumatic brain injuries go to an elite brain-repair
center in the Florida Everglades to heal. However, soon they learn all is not right at the center, and
adventure ensues. Not a particularly well-written book, but it’s fast-paced and a light summer read.
Wonder, RJ Palacio. Beautifully written but easy to read and meaningful. August Pullman who was born
with a terribly deformed face, and this book is about his first foray into public school. On many “best
book” lists.
Dodger, Terry Practchett. 17 year old Dodger is a “tosher” – someone who rummages in the sewers
below 18th century London looking for treasures. He runs in to Charles Dickens and Henry Mayhew
while saving the life of a runaway young lady. Some dialect needs looking up (words used by people of
the time that we don’t use now), but it’s mostly fast-paced and has an amused tone.
Halo, Zizou Corder. (Nothing to do with the game. Sorry.) Washed ashore as a baby in ancient Greece,
Halo is raised by a family of Centaurs who accept her as one of her own. When she’s captured by men,
she realizes he has to pretend to be a boy in order to join the Spartan army as a healer and find her own
way with her people. This book is hard to find but I have two copies to loan out.
Wolf Brother, Michelle Paver. Torak’s father is dead, killed by a demon-possessed bear, and Torak must
fulfill a promise to go to the Mountain and save all the tribes. He meets companions along the way who
help him, but the most compelling character is Wolf, the cub Torak finds abandoned. Paver reveals how
Wolf feels and explains how they communicate. While the native peoples believe in animism, it’s easy
to spot as a cultural belief and will be not be offensive to most Christian readers.
The Light Beyond the Forest, Rosemary Sutcliff. This book is short, episodic, and expressly Christian with
a Catholic bent. When the mysterious Galahad comes to Camelot, he pulls the sword from the stone,
proving he is the world’s best knight. When the Holy Grail appears, the Knights of the Round table
disperse to find this holy relic. Each chapter is a different knight’s journey, though they are interlinked.
Peter and the Starcatchers, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. I loved this prequel to Peter Pan because
Dave Barry, while not a great writer, is a hilarious writer. Witty and fun.
Boundless, Kenneth Opel. The Boundless, the greatest train ever built, is on its maiden voyage across
the country, and first-class passenger Will Everett is about to embark on the adventure of his life. When
Will ends up in possession of the key to a train car containing priceless treasures, he becomes the target
of sinister figures from his past. Exciting and a good “boy” choice.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Avi. A very exciting historical fiction story of a young woman
who finds adventure and her own heroism aboard a ship in the 1800’s.
Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine. A sassy Ella is given at birth the gift of complete obedience, a
blessing to which she does not kindly take. A fun story of role reversals from typical fairy tales.
The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Stewart. Four very special children are chosen to go on a
challenge: carry out a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could
complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very
Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
Travel Team, Mike Lupica. A sports and family drama about travel basketball; great for anyone ever cut
from a team. Lupica is a sports writer, so he gets the details of games just right, but includes enough
personal drama to make a compelling story. Heat is another of Lupica’s books that is also excellent,
about baseball and identity.
Listening for Lions, Gloria Whelan. A girl’s missionary parents die in Africa; her life growing up in
England and working toward her dream of returning to Africa.
Moon Over Manifest, Clare Vanderpool. 2010 Newberry Award winner. Historical fiction switching
between the lives of well-drawn, interesting characters in the same small town in 1914 and in 1936.
Abilene Tucker is sent by her train-hopping father to his hometown of Manifest, KS, where she learns
the town’s secrets and about her father’s heretofore unknown history. Uplifting, well-crafted plot, very
well-written.
Shakespeare’s Secret, Elise Broach . A mystery about kids unearthing secrets about a necklace and their
own lives, and includes a few historical details about Shakespeare.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Jacqueline Kelly. A 2010 Newberry Honor recipient. While a minor part
of this book, except for the title and pre-chapter quotations, this is nevertheless an interesting
introduction to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution which will be discussed and debunked in science
class in 7th grade. The story is a coming-of-age tale about a Texas girl in 1899 who longs to become a
scientist despite her family’s insistence she become a proper Southern lady. Darwin’s theory is not
promoted, though the value of scientific reasoning plays a role in the plot; the story’s main theme is
how difficult it was to be a girl who enjoyed science.
Before We Were Free, Julia Alvarez. A girl grows up while her family resists oppression in South America.
Will help readers understand why so many Latin people want to come to America.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies, Mick Cochrane. Sports fiction about baseball and girls participating in
sports. A good one for boys and girls who enjoy sports. Cochrane is a writer for SI, so he has an
excellent feel for making sports exciting.
Letters From Rifka, Karen Hesse. Immigrants coming to America, a young girl growing up as her family
attempts to come to America; well-written and short, and will help students appreciate how wonderful
this country is.
Nick of Time, Ted Bell. Young adult title from a well-known author of adult thrillers. The first in a series
is about a boy who travels in time, defeats Nazis, assists Lord Nelson on the high seas, and saves his
sister’s life. Exciting, plus many excellent vocabulary words.
The Book of Three, Lloyd Alexander. The first in the award-winning series (any of which can be read for
this assignment). Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper loses his pig, Hen Wen, just when it becomes clear that
she knows the future and can help fight against evil, so he begins a heroic quest to find the pig. Taran is
joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued
princess; Fflewddur Fflam, the hyperbole-prone bard; the ever-faithful Gurgi; and the curmudgeonly
Doli--all of whom have become involved in an epic struggle between good and evil that shapes the fate
of the legendary land of Prydain. Very well-written and engaging.
Maximum Ride (series; #1 is The Angel Experiment), James Patterson -- series of books about mutant
children and teens who are on a quest to save the world. A lot of fist-fighting: hitting, punching, bonecracking fights. The kids can fly, a coolness factor which overrides the sometimes thin writing.
Peak, Roland Smith. 14 year old Peak is arrested for climbing a skyscraper in New York City. Taken to
Mt. Everest by his absentee father, Josh, he is challenged to become the youngest person ever to
summit.
The Lightening Thief, Rick Riordan. (Students may write about any title in the series.) We will study
myths in 7th grade because knowledge of Greek and Roman gods is essential to understanding much
Western literature, word origin and poetry. Knowing about these false gods is also a great way to
increase students’ appreciation for the one true God, and we will also study how Christian authors use
myths as a jumping-off point for their own stories. This series is an excellent introduction to these
myths.
Stormbreaker, Anthony Horowitz. The first in a fun series that is like James Bond, but perfectly clean
and fun for young people. The characters are two-dimensional, and the stories predictable, but kids
love these books.
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, John Grisham. I prefer Grisham’s The Testament for Junior Highers, but
this is an easier read about a boy who helps the helpless with the lawyer skills he picks up from his
parents.
Guys Read: Funny Business, edited by John Scizeca. (NOT Guys Write for Guys Read, which is very
different.) Funny short stories by (mostly) male writers who are boys’ favorites. Some are quite
excellent. For the writing assignment, students should analyze the whole book and then, for the story
arc, pick their favorite story.
Books Most Kids Have Read They Should Read Again: * You may only choose ONE book from this
special category of books that are read far too early by most students. They will delight you and be
meaningful in entirely new ways now that you’re older.
Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo. On my personal all-time favorite book list. The movie is sweet
and recommended, but not nearly as satisfying or detailed as the book. Students may also read The
Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane or The Tale of Desperaux, both amazing, beautifully-written books.
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle
A Little Princess, Francis Hodgson Burnett
Any of the Narnia books, CS Lewis
Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry
The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin
Matilda, Roald Dahl.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred Taylor
CLASSICS – These are delightful and challenging. A very good option is to listen to these on CD (family
road trips?), even for strong readers.
Watership Down, Richard Adams
Anne of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling
The Secret Garden or A Little Princess, Francis Hodgson Burnett
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien
Caddie Woodlawn, Carol Ryrie Brinks
Pollyanna, Eleanor Porter
Around the World in 80 Days, Jules Verne