Middle Grades Independent Summer List

Middle School Summer Reading List
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Immaculate Conception – St. Joseph Middle School (6 -8 ) Language Arts Classrooms: 2015/16 School Year
Reading over the summer months is shown to improve comprehension and test scores as well as to help
children avoid the summer brain drain. To this end, middle school students are encouraged to read, and read,
and read some more!
All students will be required to read over the summer. This document has been created to help students and
parents choose books which stimulate interest in reading as well as maintain, and possibly extend, students’
comprehension and critical thinking skills.
While all of these books are great reads, parents should choose each book with their children to be sure the
book is right for both child and family.
All middle school students will be required to do two different types of reading this summer. The table below
shows the REQUIRED READING BOOKS for each grade level. Additionally, students will be required to read
INDEPENDENT BOOKS which should be chosen from the attached lists. Students are welcome to read books
not included in the attached lists, but they will not count toward summer reading requirements. Students
should not count books they re-read as summer reading.
Grade
Level
6th
Required Reading
Please be sure to locate these books well before the end
of the summer as they may need to be ordered online.
Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
ISBN: 978-0-399-16259-6
Fiction Book
(F)
1 Book
Nonfiction
Book
(NF)
1 Book
Total # of
Books to
Read
4 Books
Total
AND
Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change
by Garth Sundem
ISBN: 978-1575423500
7th
Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That
Changed a Town
by Warren St. John
ISBN: 978-0385741958
2 Books
1 Book
4 Books
Total
8th
Choose one of the following:
2 Books
1 Book
4 Books
Total
A Midsummer Night’s Dream The Graphic Novel: Original Text
(Shakespeare Range)
by John McDonald (adaptor), William Shakespeare
ISBN: 978-1907127281
OR
Macbeth: Original Text: The Graphic Novel (British English)
by John McDonald (adaptor), William Shakespeare
ISBN: 978-1906332037
After reading each book, students must publish a blog response using correct spelling, punctuation &
grammar. Students were instructed in class before the end of the school year how to properly post to their
respective blogs.
Summer Reading 2015 Blog Instructions for Middle School
URL for rising 6th: grade6summer2015.blogspot.com
URL for rising 7th: grade7summer2015.blogspot.com
URL for rising 8th: grade8summer2015.blogspot.com
* Please note: Blog formatting appears best in Chrome or Safari browsers
RULES for posting/commenting on our blogs:
1. DO NOT write your first or last name anywhere on the blog. Use ONLY your initials.
2. Post only APPROPRIATE titles and content throughout the summer.
3. Try your best not give away any spoilers.
4. Check your grammar, spelling, and sentence structure before publishing.
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Rising 6 Only:
1. Blog responses will be completed in the form of comment replies on our blog. Students do not need to have an account or
e-mail address to respond.
2. For instructions, please visit the blog online and read the earliest blog post from your teacher, published in May 2015.
3. FOUR total blog responses are required:
(a) Fish in a Tree (b) Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change (c) 1 choice fiction (d) 1 choice nonfiction
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Rising 7 / 8 Only:
1. Students should have accepted their e-mail invitation to be an author on our blog. Students will develop their own, original
posts on the blog.
2. For instructions, please visit the blog online and read the earliest blog post from your teacher.
3. FOUR total blog responses are required:
(a) Required reading book (b) choice fiction (c) choice fiction (d) choice nonfiction
Classics
Some books just never get olde!
The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo
Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens
Le Morte D’Arthur, Sir Thomas Mallory
Emma, Jane Austen
The White Company, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow¸ Irving Washington
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
Story of My Life, Hellen Keller
The Red Pony, John Steinbeck
Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
The Horatio Hornblower Series, C.S. Lewis
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
Poems, Robert Frost
Watership Down, Richard Adams
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne
The Time Machine, H.G. Wells
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells
The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane
Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Lord of the Flies, William Golding
Through the Looking-Glass, Lewis Carroll
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain
The Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore Cooper
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
Historical Fiction
A blast from the past!
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself
entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in
Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the
children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the
invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.
Paperboy by Vince Vawter Little Man throws the meanest fastball in town. But talking is a whole different ball game. He can barely
say a word without stuttering—not even his own name. So when he takes over his best friend’s paper route for the month of July,
he’s not exactly looking forward to interacting with the customers. But it’s the neighborhood junkman, a bully and thief, who stirs up
real trouble in Little Man’s life.
Revolution by Deborah Wiles It's 1964, and Sunny's town is being invaded. Or at least that's what the adults of Greenwood,
Mississippi, are saying. All Sunny knows is that people from up north are coming to help people register to vote. They're calling it
Freedom Summer. Meanwhile, Sunny can't help but feel like her house is being invaded, too. She has a new stepmother, a new
brother, and a new sister crowding her life, giving her little room to breathe. And things get even trickier when Sunny and her
brother are caught sneaking into the local swimming pool -- where they bump into a mystery boy whose life is going to become
tangled up in theirs.
Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy When she is 4 years old, Sylvia and her family are some of the first Jewish people sent to live in the Lodz
ghetto; this is the story of their struggle to survive in harsh conditions during the Holocaust.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak This story takes place during World War II and is narrated by the personification of Death. Leisel
is an orphan who is separated from her mother and brother. After being adopted by the Huberman family and moving to
Mulching, Germany she is embarrassed that she is the only person who cannot read. Her solution is to read a book called The
“Grave Robber’s Handbook” every night with Hans Huberman, her adoptive father. When a new character, Max, comes
knocking on the Huberman’s door, Leisel and her new family must make the tough decision to help him or not. After all, Leisel
and the Huberman’s are German, but Max is Jewish.
Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper When the Ku Klux Klan’s unwelcome reappearance rattles Stella’s segregated southern
town, bravery battles prejudice in this Depression-era story. Sharon Draper is a New York Times bestselling author.
New Found Land by Allan Wolf The adventurous story of Lewis and Clark as told through 14 different voices who experienced the
journey. This is a novel in verse that reads quickly and sheds a unique light on our country’s history.
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Men of Iron by Howard Pyle Myles Falworth seeks to become a knight during the 15 century; this book will teach a reader about
what it takes to enter knighthood.
The Breadwinner by Ellis Because the Taliban rulers of Kabul, Afghanistan, impose strict limitations on women's freedom and
behavior, eleven-year-old Parvana must disguise herself as a boy so that her family can survive after her father's arrest.
My Brother Sam is Dead by James & Christopher Collier All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam's smart and
brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion He soon will have to
make a choice between his brother and his father.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith A girl in the slums tries to find her way with the help of her devoted mother and alcoholic
father.
Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson In 1793 sixteen year-old Matty, who is forced to leave her home to aviod the yellow fever
epidemic in Philadelphia, learns self-reliance and perseverance.
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson This is the engaging sequel to Chains. Curzon, a young boy, narrates his story, revealing what it takes
to survive as a runaway slave during the midst of the Revolutionary War. As Curzon grows up, he navigates hiding, soldiering, and
courage. Meanwhile, Curzon works to maintain his friendship with Isabel, his friend and fellow runaway. This is the second book in a
trilogy by National Book Award Finalist, Laurie Halse Anderson. The third book is the series is not yet released.
For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy by Bradley During World War II, a 13-year-old French girl finds her life changed and in danger
when she becomes a spy for the French Resistance.
Burying the Sun by Whelan While trying to survive the cold and starvation during the WW II siege of Leningrad, fourteen-year-old
Georgi, his family and their neighbors try to keep hope alive by focusing on the beauty in the world.
Uprising by Haddix After 16 years, Bella Livingston finally shares the story of the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory that killed her
two best friends in 1911 and the poor
When My Name was Keoko by Parker Teenage siblings describe the struggles of their Korean family to preserve its culture during
WWII Japanese occupation.
The River Between Us by Richard Peck During the Civil War, two mysterious young ladies travel from New Orleans to Illinois and are
taken in by a family. As the story unfolds so does the mystery of their lives.
A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials by Rinaldi In 1706, the town of Salem is in an uproar due to the Salem
witch trials. The story is told from the perspective of Susanna English, who is caught between her desire to join the malicious group of
girls who are spreading the mischief and her fear of what they are doing.
The Shakespeare Stealer by Blackwood Widge, a likeable orphan, finds himself in the middle of an adventure to steal and copy the
play HAMLET from Shakespeare. He soon discovers that life in the Globe Theatre is much better than the other places he has
apprenticed.
Stealing Freedom by Carbone This story is based on the true experiences of a young slave girl who escapes to Canada on the
Underground Railroad.
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Cushman Lucy isn’t happy when her mother moves the family from New England to California for the
Gold Rush.
Why I Fight by J. Adams Oaks For five years, Wyatt travels the country with his drifter Uncle Spade, first as a companion, then as a
money-making bare-fisted fighter, until realizing Spade doesn't exactly have Wyatt's best interests at heart.
Realistic Fiction
Life as we know it…
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory;
she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is extremely bright, but most people have a terribly
difficult time seeing past her disability. Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander 12-year old Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more
than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of
family and brotherhood. Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes
at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family. Winner of the 2015 Newbery
Medal.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan Clay Johnson loses his web-designer job and begins working the night shift in a
bookstore with only a few customers. This marvelous mashup blends mystery, adventure, and romance into a literary and
technological tale.
Wonder Show written by Hannah Barnaby Stories come easily to motherless Portia, and a good thing, too. They sustain her when her
father leaves her and when her aunt abandons her to the ghastly McGreavey Home for Wayward Girls. When she escapes, they win
her a place with Mosco’s Traveling Wonder Show, where she hopes to find her father again somehow, where “freak,” “normal” and
“family” mean something altogether different—and where Portia begins to take charge of her own story.
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech Thirteen year-old Zinny finds a path wandering in the woods that rest behind her family’s home.
Zinny is intrigued by this path might be the answer to many important questions.
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She
doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama
Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show
a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to
help them both survive the storm.
Trash Andy Mulligan In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking
through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city. One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and
very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That
decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead
of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve
the mystery and right a terrible wrong.
Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick When eighth-grader San Lee moves to a new town and a new school for the
umpteenth time, he doesn't try to make new friends or be a loner or play cool. Instead he sits back and devises a plan to be totally
different. When he accidentally answers too many questions in World History on Zen (only because he just had Ancient Religions two
schools ago) all heads turn and San has his answer: he's a Zen Master. And just when he thinks everyone (including the cute girl he
can't stop thinking about) is on to him, everyone believes him . . . in a major Zen way.
Close to Famous by Joan Bauer After moving to a new town, Foster bakes for the local diner and takes reading lessons with a retired
movie star. Before she can realize her dream of having a cooking show on tv, Foster must face her past and all the memories that
come with it.
Wonderstruck Brian Selznick Having lost his mother and his hearing in a very short time, twelve-year-old Ben leaves his Minnesota
home in 1977 to meet the father he never knew in New York City. There he meets Rose, who is also longing for something missing
from her life.
The Secret Within, Golding Carly’s domineering father has a painful family secret that causes Carly to face danger and seek freedom
at night.
Music of the Dolphins, Karen Hesse The thoughts of a young girl, who was raised by dolphins from 4 years old after a plane crash, are
recorded by a scientist as she is reintroduced to a civilized way of life.
Hush, Woodson A twelve-year-old African American girl encounters many challenges when her family enters the Witness Protection
Program.
Red Kayak, Cummings After a young boy is killed in a kayaking accident, Brady struggles with whether he should divulge the prank
that caused the accident or keep silent to protect the pranksters.
Stargirl, Jerry Spinnelli A sixteen-year-old eccentric high school girl and her boyfriend discover the ill effects of her unconventional
behavior.
Homecoming, Cynthia Voigt Abandoned first by their father, and then also by their mother in a shopping mall parking lot, four
children begin an epic journey on foot following Route 1 from Bridgeport down into Maryland in search of a home.
All the Broken Pieces, Anne E. Burg 12-year-old Matt struggles to cope with his memories of family left behind in war-torn Vietnam
with the help of his adoptive parents, his music teacher, and his baseball coach.
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, John Grisham A kid with loads of courtroom knowledge tries to save the day.
Flipped, Wendelin Van Draanen A fun story of friendship that flips back and forth between a male and female perspective.
That Girl Lucy Moon, Amy Timberlake A Middle School girl who promotes animal rights launches a campaign to fight against
corruption in her hometown.
Action & Adventure & Mystery
Holy cannoli, Batman! Did you just read that?
Trapped by Michael Northrop The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those
in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive. . . .Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are
among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for
them. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a
devastating decision. . . .
The Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite de Angeli Twin Vikings shipwreck on the Scottish coast and seek to avenge the death of their
father in this thrilling Newbery Honor Book
The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle This story takes place during the Hundred Years’ War (1366-1367) in England, France,
and Spain. Alleyne is intelligent and skilled but also sheltered. He leaves the Catholic abbey where he was raised to see the world,
where he finds his brother, pirates, and battle.
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen Four boys are tasked with training to impersonate and ultimately replace a young prince in their
land. Full of suspense, trickery and tons of adventure as the boys battle to claim the false princehood, this is an exciting read not to
be missed.
The Last Thing I Remember, Klavan High school student Charlie West awakens bloody and bruised in a concrete bunker, only to
discover that he has lost a year of his life and remembers nothing about escaping from prison after being convicted of murdering his
former best friend, or why he is being pursued by both the law and a group of terrorists trying to bring down the government of the
United States.
The Cherub Series, Robert Muchamore James is recruited into CHERUB, a secret division of MI5 which consists of teenage spies. He
successfully completes his training and goes on his first mission.*series*
Jimmy Coates: Assassin?, Joe Craig While escaping from the strange men that are after him in London,Jimmy discovers he possesses
many unusual talents for an eleven-year-old boy. *series*
Hatchet, Gary Paulsen After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive with
only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce. *series*
Soldier Boys, Dean Hughes Two boys, one German and one American, are eager to join their respective armies during World War II,
and their paths cross at the Battle of the Bulge. Pay attention to the wartime propaganda on both sides!
The Wanderer, Sharon Creech Told through journal writings, Sophie and her cousin, Cody, share the experiences of their journey on a
sailboat, The Wanderer, from Connecticut to England with six crew members, including her uncles and cousins.
Code Orange, Caroline B. Cooney While conducting research for a biology class paper on infectious diseases, Mitty finds an envelope
containing 100-year-old smallpox scabs and fears that he has infected himself and all of New York City, and attracted the attention of
terrorists who want to use the disease as a weapon.
Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery, John Feistein Sports writer John Feinstein weaves a tale of mystery as a middle school student
discovers a plan to throw the NCAA Final Four games.
Bat 6, Virginia Euwer Wolff Bat 6 is the softball game played every year by the sixth-grade-girls of two schools. It’s 1949, with the
effects of World War II still active. Find out what happens at the big game through the eyes of the 21 players at the game.
Undercurrents, Roberts Fourteen-year-old Nikki has trouble accepting her new stepmother Crystal, and the problem grows worse
when they visit the Northern California house where Crystal lived as a child and experienced some horrible event that she is trying to
keep secret.
Cryptic Hunters, Smith Adventurous and orphaned twins, Grace and Marty, are sent to live with their mysterious uncle who is an
authority on cryptids. They find themselves being dropped from a plane in the Congolese jungle, where they discover truths about
themselves and their family.
Airborn, Oppel A cabin boy and wealthy young girl on luxury airship team-up to search for mysterious creatures that a dying
balloonist claimed he saw.
Double Identity, Haddix Bethany becomes curious about her past when her parents unexpectedly disappear after leaving her with an
aunt who she did not know existed. As the story unravels, the conclusion uncovers a shocking secret.
Fantasy & Sci-Fi
A long, long time ago, in a book far, far away…
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster A tollbooth suddenly appears in Milo’s room. Things on the other side of the tollbooth door
are mysteriously different and he decides to take the risk to explore.
Eragon by Chrstopher Paolini Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider
is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a
dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
Pure by Juliana Baggott In a world destroyed by nuclear detonations, only a privileged few have remained pure. Two teens from
different sides of the Dome unite to search for answers to troubling questions about their origins.
Seraphina written by Rachel Hartman When the death of a royal prince threatens the fragile peace between humans and dragons in
Goredd, court musician Seraphina is drawn into the murder investigation. But even as she aids Prince Lucian in his mission to uncover
the murderer, Seraphina conceals a dangerous secret of her own—her half-human, half-dragon heritage.
The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman Earth Mother is always watching... And one brave girl is about to find out why.
Reckless by Cornelia Funke Jacob Reckless travels through a mirror into a dark, magical world as an escape. When his brother Will
follows him into the mirror world, Jacob finds himself in a race against time to save his brother from a horrible fate
The Dark is Rising Sequence (Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark Is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King;and Silver on the Tree) Susan
Cooper The Dark Is Rising Sequence chronicles the adventures of Will Stanton, the last of the immortal Old Ones, as he acquires the
Things of Power for the Light in its climactic battle with the Dark.
Inkheart, Cornelia Funke A girl and her father, a bookbinder who can “read” fictional characters into real life, are abducted by one of
the characters, who tries to force them into his service.
Airman, Eoin Colfer After being branded a traitor, imprisoned, and forced to work in the diamond mines under horrible conditions,
Conor Broekhart encounters many adventures while planning a prison escape in a flying machine that he must build
The City of Ember, DuPrau Twelve-year-old Lina lives in the 241 year-old ruined, underground city of Ember where she and a friend
embark on a harrowing journey to find a way out of the city and save their people before it is too late.
The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan Percy learns that he has special powers after he makes his pre-algebra teacher disappear. Further
investigation reveals that he is the son of Greek god Poseidon. To save humankind Percy embarks on an adventure to return a
lightning bolt his father stole from Zeus. *first in series*
The House of the Scorpion, Nancy Farmer In the future, clones are looked down upon by humans. However, Matt, a clone of a
powerful leader, experiences special privileges.
The Looking Glass Wars, Frank Beddor When she is cast out of Wonderland by her evil aunt Redd, young Alyss Heart finds herself
living in Victorian Oxford as Alice Liddell and struggles to keep memories of her kingdom intact until she can return and claim her
rightful throne. *first in series*
Everlost, Neal Shusterman When Nick and Allie are killed in a car crash, they end up in Everlost, or limbo for lost souls, where,
although Nick is satisfied, Allie will stop at nothing--even skinjacking--to break free.
Dealing with Dragons, Patricia Wrede Bored with traditional palace life where she is supposed to be doing needlepoint and dancing
instead of cooking and swordfighting, Princess Cimorene goes off to live with a group of dragons and soon becomes involved with
fighting against some disreputable wizards. *series*
Epic, Conor Kostick Gamers will LOVE this one! On New Earth, a world in which your status is based on your performance in a global
video role-playing game, fourteen-year-old Erik persuades his friends to aid him in some unusual gambits in order to save Erik's
father from exile and safeguard the futures of each of their families.
Life as We Knew It, Susan Beth Pfeffer Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive
after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
Star Crossed, Elizabeth C. Bunce Escaping the city, Digger, a thief, ends up in a remote castle full of nobles and becomes involved in
political intrigue in a country where magic has been forbidden.
Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt Ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles upon the Tuck family, who happen to have access to special
spring water that offers both a lifetime worth of blessings but is also somewhat of a curse.
Nonfiction/Memoir/Autobiography
Just the facts.
The Port Chicago 50 by Steve Sheinkin On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago,
California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men in their bunks, and shattering windows
up to a mile away. On August 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were
addressed. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution. This is a fascinating
story of the prejudice that faced black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park The New York Times bestseller recounts two stories of eleven-year old children in Sudan, one
in 1985 and the other in 2008. One of these children is a “lost boy of Sudan” who had to face fierce hardships as a refugee traveling
across his country on foot, with nothing on his back.
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson This book by critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson weaves together
the voices and stories of real Titanic survivors and witnesses to the disaster -- from the stewardess Violet Jessop to Captain Arthur
Rostron of the Carpathia, who came to the rescue of the sinking ship. Packed with heart stopping action, devastating drama,
fascinating historical details, loads of archival photographs on almost every page, and quotes from primary sources, this gripping
story, which follows the Titanic and its passengers from the ship's celebrated launch at Belfast to her cataclysmic icy end, is
fascinating.
An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy 1793, Philadelphia. The
nation's capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease, cause unknown . . .Author Jim
Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever and the toll it took on the city's residents, relating the epidemic to the major
social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. First-hand accounts are included. The search
for the fever's causes and cure, not found for more than a century afterward, provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this riveting true
story of a city under siege.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each
place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants
of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her
voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed
with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become. A newer memoir in verse that won multiple awards.
The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb A thrilling spy mission, a moving Holocaust story, and a first-class work of narrative nonfiction. In
1945, at the end of World War II, Adolf Eichmann, the head of operations for the Nazis' Final Solution, walked into the mountains of
Germany and vanished from view. Sixteen years later, an elite team of spies captured him at a bus stop in Argentina and smuggled
him to Israel, resulting in one of the century's most important trials -- one that cemented the Holocaust in the public imagination.
Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific by Mary Cronk Farrell In the early
1940s, young women enlisted for peacetime duty as U.S. Army nurses. But when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 blasted
the United States into World War II, 101 American Army and Navy nurses serving in the Philippines were suddenly treating wounded
and dying soldiers while bombs exploded all around them. The women served in jerry-rigged jungle hospitals on the Bataan Peninsula
and in underground tunnels on Corregidor Island. Later, when most of them were captured by the Japanese as prisoners of war, they
suffered disease and near-starvation for three years. Pure Grit is a story of sisterhood and suffering, of tragedy and betrayal, of death
and life. The women cared for one another, maintained discipline, and honored their vocation to nurse anyone in need—all 101
coming home alive.
Go: Kidds Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd A stunning introduction to the ways in which a designer communicates his or her
ideas to the world. It’s written and designed just for those curious kids, not to mention their savvy parents, who want to learn the
secret of how to make things dynamic and interesting.
El Deafo by Cece Bell Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while
wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir,
author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very
powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid.
The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman A look into the complex and rarely discussed subject of World War I. The
tangled relationships and alliances of many nations, the introduction of modern weaponry, and top-level military decisions that
resulted in thousands upon thousands of casualties all contributed to the "great war," which people hoped and believed would be the
only conflict of its kind.
The Great Fire by Jim Murphy The great Chicago fire has long been the stuff of folklore and legend. Murphy sets the record straight
through carefully selected documents, personal accounts, photographs, and illustrations. Beginning on that warm Sunday evening,
October 8, 1871, in the O'Leary barn, Murphy traces the fire through its three horror-filled days as, fed by lusty prairie winds, cinders
from a Saturday night blaze, and structures (even streets and sidewalks) built almost entirely of wood, it consumed block after block
of homes, businesses, and bodies, eventually leaving 100,000 people homeless.
My Life with the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall In the 1960’s, in her mid-twenties, Jane Goodall left England to study chimpanzees in
the forests of Africa. She braves the African wildlife in order research, know, and understand a group of intelligent, loving
chimpanzees.
Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross Richard Ross' riveting photographs give voices to incarcerated youth in juvenile detention centers
across America.
Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, written by Steve Sheinkin In this suspenseful
combination of science and history, Sheinkin masterfully exposes the international race to develop an atomic weapon and bring an
end to World War II. This true-life spy thriller features an international cast of characters and will keep readers on the edge of their
seats. Period photographs of key players and an abundance of primary sources bring this well-researched story to life. Sheinkin gives
readers insight into what happened with all of the major players after the end of the war. A thought-provoking epilogue on the long
term implications of atomic weaponry reminds readers that the results of scientific inquiry have long term implications for everyone.
Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different, a biography by Karen Blumenthal Equally reviled and revered--often by the same
people--Steve Jobs, the man who operated from his own "reality distortion field," was an extraordinary "tweaker" who transcended
the visionary to perfect the simple and transform the world as we know it. Skillfully crafted and meticulously researched,
Blumenthal’s accessible biography presents an intimate and fully dimensional portrait of a complex American icon and the multiple
trajectories of influence on our technological paradigms that define his enduring legacy.
Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95, written by Phillip Hoose Moonbird is a fascinating look at the life of rufa
red knots in general and B95, one long-lived and tough little bird in particular, and the worldwide efforts to understand and save this
subspecies of bird from extinction. Through maps, photos, and descriptions of his journey, the reader will fly with B95 from near the
bottom of the world to the top and back again.
Bad Boy: A Memoir, Walter Dean Myers As a boy, Walter Dean Myers was quick-tempered and physically strong, always ready for a
fight. He also read voraciously-he would check out books from the library and carry them home, hidden in brown paper bags in order
to avoid other boys' teasing. He aspired to be a writer. But growing up in a poor family in Harlem, his hope for a successful future
diminished as he came to realize fully the class and racial struggles that surrounded him. He began to doubt himself and the values
that he had always relied on, attending high school less and less, turning to the streets and his books for comfort.
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery Steve Sheinkin Treating history as mystery,
Sheinkin takes readers through means, motive, and opportunity as he outlines Arnold’s path towards treason. This well researched
(with liberal use of primary sources) cradle to grave biography emphasizes the political, social, and military issues within the Colonial
army and how Arnold ambitiously maneuvered his own career through grit and determination.
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) Sue Macy With the invention of
the bicycle, women began by riding sidesaddle but quickly switched to riding astride sleek two-wheelers as they left their restraining
corsets and petticoats in the dust with bloomers their preferred bicycling outfit. Many women quickly adopted this new mode of
transportation. As the period photographs, colorful advertisements, sidebars, and primary source material proclaim, bicycles
empowered women to seek the freedom they’d long been denied.
Hana’s Suitcase: A True Story, Levine A biography of a Czech girl who died in the Holocaust, told in alternating chapters with an
account of how the curator of a Japanese Holocaust center learned about her life after Hana's suitcase was sent to her.
Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth, Giblin Through a review of their family and an
examination of their political ideologies, a biography presents a look at two who stood on opposing sides during the Civil War and
how one, John Wilkes Booth, became the infamous assassin of President Abraham Lincoln
The Code Book: How to Make it, Break it, Hack it, Crack it, Simon Singh Describes a history of code-making, from Ancient Egypt to
Mary, Queen of Scots, to present day. There are also hints and details given about cracking codes.
Tigers in Red Weather: A Quest for the Last Wild Tigers, Ruth Padel Searching for the roots and reasons for the near extinction of
tigers is more complicated than the author ever imagines as she travels the Asian continent.
Growing Up in Slavery: Stories of Young Slaves as Told by Themselves, Yuval Taylor Ten slaves tell their stories in this collection that
covers the range of the slave experience.
Basketball’s Greatest Stars, Michael Grange A history of the NBA , illustrated through the profiles of its top players, past and present.
Also includes histories of the several franchises and 3 essays on the game.
To Be Young in America: Growing up with the Country, 1776-1940, Sheila Cole In this captivating look back at the last 2 centuries,
readers are treated to an often neglected perspective of American history: a child’s view on what life was really like for young
Americans.
th
Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon, James Sullivan Beginning with the appearance of front-buckled denim pants in 19
century America, Sullivan untangles the legends surrounding the origin of jeans and traces their adoption as work clothing in the
West.
Yes She Can!: Women Sports Pioneers, Glenn Stout Profiles 5 female athletes through history that overcame adversity and
discrimination to become prominent players in their sports.
No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War, Lobel Anita Lobel, a Polish Jew and an illustrator of children’s books, writes of her experiences
during World War II and in Sweden after the war.
Warriors Don’t Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock’s Central High, Beals Melba Patillo Beals, one of the nine
students who integrated Central High in 1957, shares the horrific experiences she and the others encountered and how they were
able to survive.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Covey Hints and strategies for success in life, communicated through engaging stories,
cartoons and quotations.
Swimming to Antartica, Cox Follow the story of Lynne Cox as she deals with achieving her dreams of conquering some of the roughest
waters in the world. The story shows that even young people can accomplish great things.
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens & Hitler’s Olympics, Schaap This book uncovers the history of one of sports greatest track
and field stars, Jesse Owens. It traces the racial struggles he faced in America and the dramatic contests in 1936 at the Olympics in
Nazi Berlin.
The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum, Candace Fleming The AMAZING and
THRILLING life of the GREAT P.T. Barnum is laid bare in this STUPENDOUS biography. Come one, come all and learn about this truly
AMERICAN icon.
The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe, Theodore Gray The 118 elements of the periodic table are
photographed and described with humor, style and authority.
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, Jonathan Hennessey, Learn about the US Constitution by reading this
illustrated version of one of our greatest historical documents and the process it took to make it a reality.
Charles and Emma: The Darwin’s Leap of Faith, Deborah Heiligman This lively biography of Charles Darwin focuses on the family life
of one of the world’s most famous scientists, including the impact differing religious beliefs had on the family’s relationships.
Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting, Jim Murphy Bored and miserable after months in the trenches along Europe’s Western
Front during WWI, German and Allied soldiers brought fighting to a halt to celebrate Christmas together in 1914.
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, James L. Swanson Much more than just Lincoln’s killing went on that night of the Ford Theater assassination,
this book will inform and entertain you with the gory details.
Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland, Sally M. Walker This book offers an incredible look at how
ancient bones can reveal the details about the daily lives of colonial Americans.
The Dark Game: Tru Spy Stories, Paul Janeczko This compilation of different spies carries readers from the Revolutionary War through
the infamous Cold War era. Delve into stories about the Choctaw Code Talkers of WWI, Soviet moles, Mata Hari and more as you
uncover just how they changed the course of history.
Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement, Rick Bowers In 1958, the
state of Mississippi began an undercover operation, The Sovereignty Commission, to spy on and potentially squelch the Civil Rights
movement. Bowers' expose of this unknown organization reveals the extent to which some were willing to go to see segregation
remain the law of the state.
Within Reach: My Everest Story, Mark Pfetzer, At age 16, Mark Pfetzer accomplished his dream, but it was no easy feat. This
courageous young man inspired the world when he became the youngest climber to reach the top of Mount Everest. He tells his story
in this first-person narrative, revealing the obstacles and glory of success. Mark's inspiring perseverence is only heightened when he
recounts bearing witness to the unfortunate loss of eight other climbers' lives due to a severe and sudden storm. This story will inspire
athletes and readers of all types, as they experience through words the reality of what it takes to reach the top.
Gusty Girls: Young Women Who Dare, Tina Schwager, This is a collection of success stories from twenty-five young women who share
their successes of triumph through non-traditional careers and unique hobbies. Their adventures include skydiving, mountain
climbing, building homes, and more! Their stories demonstrate tenacity, responsibility, and the importance of keeping a positive
attitude.