Summer Reading for Readers Going into Sixth Grade
Students are requested to read this summer, choosing from these books or any others.
Georgia Byng: Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism or Molly Moon Stops the World
Two great books about orphan Molly who takes on the world by becoming a hypnotist. The fantasy is mixed with humor and adventure. Don't look in her eyes or you'll be hooked. If you enjoyed Matilda by Roald Dahl, you'll love this.
Betsy Byars: Dead Letters (and others in the series)
Herculeah Jones and her best friend, Meat, set out to crack the case of the mysterious note which she finds in the lining of a second hand coat. Other authors of good mysteries: E.W. Hildick, Carolyn Keene, Joan Lowery Nixon, Phyllis Naylor, Ellen Raskin, Donald Sobol, and Vivian Vane Velde.
Bruce Coville: Jeremy Thatcher: Dragon Hatcher
Jeremy unknowingly buys a dragon's egg and his world changes. Mr.Coville will be visiting the middle school in February, 2006. Get a jump on his wacky science fiction such as My Teacher is an Alien.
Christopher Paul Curtis: Bud, Not Buddy
2000 Newbery winner, humor and historical fiction. Bud is a smart kid on a search for his father during the Great Depression. For those who did not read it in class.
Karen Cushman: Catherine, Called Birdy
Birdy is 13 and that means that her father thinks she is old enough to be married to a man of HIS choice. Her story is told in diary form with great humor. If you enjoy this one, go on to The Midwife's Apprentice and Matilda Bone.
Cornelia Funke: Inkheart
A fantasy adventure with a great deal of suspense about Meggie and her father and their quest to rescue Meggie's mother who is trapped in another world.
Eva Ibbotson: The Secret of Platform 13
The King and Queen's son has been kidnapped and taken through the time tunnel to the world of humans. A hag, a wizard, a fey and an ogre are sent to rescue the prince. This is a great book for those waiting for the new Harry Potter.
Gail Carson Levine: Ella Enchanted
A humorous retelling of the Cinderella story with the added glitch of a heroine forced by a fairy to always do what people tell her to do. Other Levine titles to enjoy: Princess Sonora, Dave at Night, The Wish.
JK Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Be the first to read this new book.
Summer Reading for Readers Going into Seventh Grade
Students are requested to read this summer, choosing from these books or any others.
Caroline Cooney:The Terrorist
An American family living in London find themselves the victims of a cold-blooded terrorist. Cooney is a prolific writer of realistic fiction, try any of hers.
Bruce Coville: Shakespeare retellings
2005-06 will be a Shakespeare festival year in seventh grade. Mr. Coville will be our visiting author in February, 2006. Read his retellings in picture and understandable story form of Midsummer Night'sDream,Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and the Tempest.
Nancy Farmer: A Girl Named Disaster
Fleeing an impending marriage to a cruel man with three wives, Nhamo searches for her father. Newbery honor book of 1997.
Cornelia Funke: The Thief Lord
Prosper and Bo are on the run in Venice, Italy. There they meet the mysterious Thief Lord and the adventure begins.
Margaret Peterson Haddix: Among the Hidden.
If you enjoyed Running Out of Time, then explore the future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children. Luke, a hidden third child, meets another "third" who convinces him that the government is wrong. There are a number of sequels to read each one building on the excitement.
Anthony Horowitx: Alex Rider series
There are six in the adventure series beginning with Storm Breakers about Alex Rider, a teenage James Bond type detective.
Walter Dean Myers: At Her Majesty's Request
True story of an African princess who was saved by Queen Victoria.
Joan Lowery Nixon (or any of her mysteries): Search for the Shadowman
While working on a genealogy project, Andy becomes determined to solve a mystery surrounding a distant relative accused of stealing a family fortune.
JK Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Be the first to read this new book.
J.R.R.R. Tolkein: The Hobbit
If you saw the movie, The Lord of the Rings, this is the prequel. A classic fantasy for all to enjoy in the world of hobbits, elves, and fairies.
William Sleator: Rewind
After being killed in a car accident, Peter gets a chance to live his life again and avoid the crash. Read any of his science fiction but save Interstellar Pig for the school year.
Vivian Vane Velde: Never Trust a Dead Man.
Mystery, humor, and fantasy mix in this adventure about a boy who must work with his worst enemy to find a murderer and clear his name.
Summer Reading for Readers Going into Eighth Grade
Students are requested to read this summer, choosing from these books or any others.
Joan Bauer: Twonk
A.J. meets up with the real Cupid who offers assistance in finding true love. Sometimes you have to read a book that's just enjoyable. Try these authors for fun: Ellen Conford, Caroline Cooney, Sharon Creech, or Lois Lowry.
Miriam Brenaman: Evvy's Civil War
Evvy, a 14 year old living during the American Civil War, is torn by the social injustice she sees in Virginia, as well as the restricted life of a girl growing up in the South. Since you have just studied the Civil War, enjoy.
Eve Bunting: Blackwater
Sometimes a lie is harder than the truth.
Sharon Draper:Double Dutch
Three eighth grade friends cope with a missing father, a class bully, and a secret too embarrassing to share.
Bruce Coville: Song of the Wanderer
Having jumped into Luster, the land of unicorns, Cara makes a journey to bring back her grandmother, the Wanderer, in order to release the Queeen of the unicorns. Mr.Coville will be our visiting author in February, 2006. Read this or any of his other fantasy science fiction titles.
Gillian Cross: Phoning a Dead Man
When her fiancee is killed in an explosion in Russia, Annie insists on going there to investigate. Accompianied by her finance's sister, Annie finds herself involved with the Russian Mafia, a dead body that isn't there, and a cell phone number that can solve the mystery.
Nancy Farmer: The Ear, the Eye and the Arm
Science fiction and mystery, an unusual detective team must locate and recover three kidnapped children in Africa of the 21st century.
JK Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Be the first to read this new book.
Jerry Spinelli: Crash
Crash transforms from a smug jock to an empathetic young man.
Mildred Taylor: The Land
First in a wonderful series about Cassie Logan and her family living in the South before and just after slavery. You will read the sequel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry in school next year.
J.R.R.R. Tolkein: The Hobbit
If you saw the movie, The Lord of the Rings, this is the prequel. A classic fantasy for all to enjoy in the world of hobbits, elves, and fairies.