Belmont Middle Schoo l Grades 7 and 8 Summer 2024
REQUIRED READING
Entering seventh and eighth graders are to read one required title and one suggested . Entering seventh
graders have four choices for required reading (see below); all entering eighth graders will read The Giver , by
Lois Lowry. Students must read the novel version by Lois Lowry and may also read the graphic version by P.
Craig Russell as a supplement. Each required text will be used in the fall to begin the school year. Students may
want to purchase their own copies to mark up.
Suggested titles for seventh and eighth graders are listed at the end of this document. The choice of this title
is up to students and parents. Students may use the audio version of a book to enhance their understanding.
SEVENTH GRADE CHOICES FOR REQUIRED READING
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Publisher’s Summary
” Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about
her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules — like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,”
and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.” She’s found her safe space — her swimming pool — where she
feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the pool, she starfishes. Stretches out. Takes up all the room she wants,
instead of living by the fat girl rules society taught her. The pool is also where she can get away from her pushy
mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her
therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who love Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie
might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life — by unapologetically being her own
fabulous self.”
This might be the book for you if you like themes of gaining confidence, family relationships, friendship,
and characters you care about.
Legend by Marie Lu
Publisher’s Summary
“What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its
neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy
being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is
the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
“From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is
murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for
his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover
the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its
secrets.”
This might be the book for you if you like The Hunger Games and other action-packed, sci-fi novels.
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Publisher’s Summary
“ All light in Chattana is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace
and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he
dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the
world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the
poor toil away in darkness. Worst of all, Pong’s prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free.
Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family’s good name.
But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the
truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, Christina Soontornvat’s twist on Victor
Hugo’s Les Misérables is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that explores the difference between law and justice —
and asks whether one child can shine a light in the dark. ”
This might be the book for you if you like compelling fantasy that looks at issues of privilege, protest,
and justice.
Becoming Muhammad Ali by Alexander, Kwame and Patterson, James
Publisher’s Summary
“ Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Kwame Alexander and
James Patterson join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his
childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about
Cassius' family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training
as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation
into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.
Fully authorized by and written in cooperation with the Muhammad Ali estate, and vividly brought to life by
Dawud Anyabwile's dynamic artwork, Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma and youthful
personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time. ”
This might be the book for you if you like humor, sports-related books, and friendship issues.
SUGGESTED READING FOR BOTH GRADES
The following list includes fiction and non-fiction (*) which may appeal to a wide variety of readers. This list is
meant to encourage students to read during summer vacation. Children should consult parents, friends, and
librarians about these and other books when looking for suggestions. This list is distributed to students entering
grades seven and eight in the fall of 2023. This list is also posted on the district’s website and the Belmont Public
Library’s teen page, belmontpubliclibrary.net/teens-at-the-library/ .
Abdel-Fattah, Randa Does My Head Look Big in This?
Adams, Douglas Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Adeyemi, Toni Children of Blood and Bone
Alcott, Louisa May Little Women
Alexander, Kwame
and Patterson, James Becoming Muhammad Ali
Angleberger, Tom The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
Balliett, Blue Chasing Vermeer; Hold Fast
Bieschke, Marke Into the Streets
Bloor, Edward Tangerine
Bradley, James with Ron Powers Flags of Our Fathers: The Story of Iwo Jima *
Braff, Joshua The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green
Callahan, Steven Adrift *
Cartaya, Pablo The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora
Colbert, Brandy The Voting Booth
Colfer, Eoin The Reluctant Assassin (series)
Cooper, Susan Dark Is Rising (series)
Crane, Stephen The Red Badge of Courage
Creech, Sharon Absolutely Normal Chaos , Ruby Holler
Curtis, Christopher Paul Bucking the Sarge
Dickens, Charles Oliver Twist; David Copperfield (adapted versions available)
Dowd, Siobhan London Eye Mystery
Doyle, Arthur Conan Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
DuPrau, Jeanne City of Ember
Ende, Michael The Neverending Story
Farmer, Nancy The Lord of Opium (sequel to House of the Scorpion ),
The Sea of Trolls trilogy
Ferris, Jean Love Among the Walnuts
Gantos, Jack Hole in My Life* , Norvelt series
Hickam, Homer Rocket Boys: A Memoir *
Hobbs, Will Bearstone; Downriver; Far North
Holt, K.A. House Arrest
Holt, Kimberly Willis When Zachary Beaver Came to Town
Houston, Julian New Boy
Hughes, Dean Soldier Boys
Jenn Bigelow, Lisa Drum Roll, Please
Johnson, Angela Toning the Sweep
Johnson, Leah You Should See Me in a Crown
Jones, Diana Wynne Howl's Moving Castle , Dark Lord of Derkholm , Chrestomanci series
Katz, Jon Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet out of Idaho *
Key, Watt Alabama Moon
Kherdian, David The Road Home: The Story of an Armenian Girl *
Konigsburg, E.L. Silent to the Bone
Knowles, Jo See You at Harry’s
Krakauer, Jon Into Thin Air *
Lee, Stacey Outrun the Moon
LeGuin, Ursula The Wizard of Earthsea (series)
Lobel, Anita No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War *
Lord, Cynthia Rules
Maetani, Valynne E. Ink and Ashes
Magoon, Kekla The Rock and the River; How It Went Down
Mah, Adeline Yen Chinese Cinderella: True Story of an Unwanted Daughter *
McCall, Guadalupe Garcia Summer of the Mariposas
McCormick, Patricia Never Fall Down: A Boy Soldier’s Story of Survival
Meyer, Marissa Cinder
Mikaelsen, Ben Tree Girl
Myers, Walter Dean The Greatest: Muhammed Ali*; Bad Boy*
Naidoo, Beverley The Other Side of Truth
Nye, Naomi Shihab Tree is Older than You Are; Habibi
O’Reilly, Bill Hitler's Last Days *
Paolini, Christopher Eragon; Eldest (Inheritance series)
Parks, Rosa Rosa Parks: My Story *
Paterson, Katherine The Same Stuff
Perkins, Lynne Rae Criss Cross
Perkins, Mitali You Bring the Distant Near
Pierce, Tamora Protector of the Small (series)
Philbrick, Rodman Freak the Mighty; The Last Book of the Universe
Pullman, Philip His Dark Materials trilogy; Sally Lockhart trilogy
Reeve, Philip Mortal Engines (series)
Rinaldi, Ann The Fifth of March; Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons
Salisbury, Graham Prisoners of the Empire series
Sanderson, Brandon Steelheart
Senzai, N.H. Shooting Kabul
Sheinkin, Steve Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous
Weapon*
Smith, Betty A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Smith, Roland Edge (sequel to Peak ), Beneath
Sonnenblick, Jordan Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie; Zen and the Art of Faking It
Spinelli, Jerry Crash
Staples, Suzanne Fisher Under the Persimmon Tree
Stone, Nic Clean Getaway
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit
Van Draanen, Wendelin Running Dream
Volponi, Paul The Final Four
Williams, Michael Now Is the Time for Running
Yang, Gene Luen The Shadow Hero
Yolen, Jane Briar Rose; Sword of the Rightful King
This list was compiled by English teachers and reviewed by librarians at Chenery Middle School and Belmont Public Library,
These and other books are available from the school library, the public library, and bookstores.
