Incoming Middle School Summer Reading Assignment Choices

Summer is a wonderful time to look for new books and read new titles! All middle school students are encouraged to read at least two books during the summer break. Students can choose any book from the lists below. Students who turn these assignments in during the month of September will receive extra credit as part of their English/Language Arts grade.

Summer Reading Assignment: Option One

Choice One: Letter to My Teacher

For this task, students will compose a letter to their teacher describing the book. This letter should include

the following components:

✔	Introduction to the book: title and author

✔	Summary: a brief description describing the characters, plot and resolution ✔	Personal opinion: a paragraph detailing personal thoughts about the book
o	Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not? o	Would you recommend it to a friend?

Summer Reading Assignment: Option Two

Choice Two: Double-Sided Journal Entry

For this task, students will complete a double-sided journal entry. Double-sided journal

entries are a great way to journal as you read!

Please recreate the table on the next slide on a separate sheet of paper.

Summer Reading Assignment: Option Two

Page Number & Quotation (A minimum of ﬁve quotes)
	Thoughts or Reﬂections
(A minimum of ﬁve reﬂection notes)
	
The page number and quotation should be placed in the left column.
	Explanation or thoughts about the quote should be placed in the right column.
	
Example:
"I sat between my mama and daddy, holding their hands. My daddy said in a little while we'd be someplace we'd love. ” p. 30
	Example:
This quote shows how excited the family is to be moving to a new house.

Incoming Fifth Grade Summer Reading List

Title
	Author
	Awards
	
Raymie Nightingale
	K. DiCamillo
	ALSC Summer Reading Recommendation
	
The Last Kids of Earth - (Graphic Novel)
	M. Brallier
	ALSC Summer Reading Recommendation
	
Tall Story
	C. Gourlay
	NYPL 5th Grade Recommendation
	
Maniac McGee
	J. Spinelli
	Newberry Medal
	
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
	J. Latham
	Newberry Medal
	
Fable Comics
	C. Duﬀy
	ALSC Summer Reading Recommendation
	
Touching Spirit Bear
	B. Mikaelsen
	Napra Nautilus Award
	
Where the Red Fern Grows
	W. Rawls
	Newbery Medal
	
The Egypt Game
	Z. Snyder
	Newbery Honor
	
Hoot
	C. Hiaasen
	Newbery Honor
	
Miracle's Boys
	J. Woodson
	Coretta Scott King Award
	
Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph
	R. Orgill
	ALSC Summer Reading Recommendation
	
The Greatest: Muhammad Ali
	W. D. Myers
	ALA Nonﬁction
	
We've Got A Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March
	C. Levinson
	ALA Nonﬁction
	
Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America
	J. Murphy
	ALA Nonﬁction

Incoming Sixth Grade Summer Reading List

Title
	Author
	Awards
	
The Apple Tart of Hope
	Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
	People Best Children's Book of 2016
	
The Lie Tree
	Frances Hardinge
	Costa Book of the Year
	
Salt to the Sea
	Ruta Sepetys
	Fiction SLJ 's Best Books of 2016
	
The Serpent King
	Jeﬀ Zetner
	William C. Morris Winner
	
The Nameless City
	Faith Erin Hicks
	Notable 100 Best Books for Kids
	
Oyster War
	Ben Towle
	Eisner Nominated Comic
	
Born with Erika and Gianni
	Lorna Shultz Nicolson
	2017 Red Maple Fiction Award Finalist
	
Under the Dusty Moon
	Suzanne Sutherland
	Junior Library Guild Selection

Flying Lessons and Other Stories
	
Ellen Oh
	
ALSC Summer Rdg Recommendation 2017
	
One and Only Ivan
	Katherine Applegate
	Newbery Award 2013
	
The Tale of Despereaux
	Kate DiCamillo
	Newbery Award 2004
	
Number the Stars
	Lois Lowry
	Newbery Award 1990
	
The Red Pyramid
	Rick Riordan
	2011 Red House Children's Book Award
	
Garvey's Choice
	Nikki Grimes
	ALSC Recommendation 2017

Incoming Seventh Grade Summer Reading List

Title
	Author
	Awards
	
Hope Was Here
	Joan Bauer
	Young Reader's Choice Award
	
Full Cicada Moon
	Marilyn Hilton
	Young Reader's Choice Award
	
The Crossover
	Kwame Alexander
	YALSA Award
	
Fish in a Tree
	Lynda Mullaly Hunt
	ALA Awards Grades 4-7
	
Hatchet
	Gary Paulsen
	Newbery Medal
	
Adam & Thomas
	Aharon Appelfeld
	ALA Awards Grades 4-7
	
George
	Alex Gino
	ALA Awards Grades 4-7
	
Roller Girl
	Victoria Jamieson
	ALA Awards Grades 4-7
	
The War That Saved My Life
	Kimberly Bradley
	ALA Awards Grades 4-7
	
Gone Crazy in Alabama
	Rita Williams-Garcia
	ALA Awards Grades 4-7
	
When You Reach Me
	Rebecca Stead
	Newbery Medal
	
The One and Only Ivan
	Katherine Applegate
	Newbery Medal
	
Walk Two Moons
	Sharon Creech
	Newbery Medal
	
Copper Sun
	Sharon Draper
	Coretta Scott King Award

Incoming Eighth Grade Summer Reading List

Title
	Author
	Awards
	
The Wednesday Wars
	Gary Schmidt
	ALA Best Fiction Awards
	
See You at Harry's
	Jo Knowles
	ALA Best Fiction Awards
	
Awkward
	Svetlana Chmakova
	ALA Best Graphic Novel
	
The Book Thief
	Markus Zusak
	2006 The School Library Journal
	
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
	Mark Haddon
	Guardian Children's Fiction Prize
	
Under the Persimmon Tree
	Suzanne Fisher Staples
	2006 ALA
	
Double Dutch
	Sharon Draper
	Pam Allyn List
	
The Wave
	Todd Strasser
	ALA Award
	
The Graveyard Book
	Neil Gaiman
	Newbery Medal
	
The Crossover
	Kwame Alexander
	Coretta Scott King Awards
	
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
	Phillip Hoose
	John Newbery Medal
	
The President Has Been Shot! John F. Kennedy
	James L . Swanson
	YALSA Nonﬁction - 2014
	
Popular!
	Maya Van Wagenen
	YALSA Nonﬁction - 2015