Summer 2008 Reading Requirements - Rising 7th Grade Students pg. 2

Summer 2008 Reading Requirements - Rising 8th Grade Students pg. 2

This is required for all students, even late transfers.  Time extensions can be granted with parent request.  Just email me to arrange.  blakely@etsu.edu 

Miss Blakely's Summer Book Picks for MS Students...just suggestions for those having trouble picking on their own.

Team Moon, by Catherine Thimmesh.  "I loved the subtitle of this nonfiction story, How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon," says a librarian.  Packed with photos and unusual facts, this book won the 2007 Robert F. Sibert award for informational texts. (Nonfiction)

Rules, by Cynthia Lord.  The little brother in this charming debut novel has autism, but anyone who's ever wished for a "normal" family will relate to 12-year-old Catherine's struggles.  The Newbery honoree deals with friendship, disabilities, and roles for life. (Realistic Fiction)

Eggs, by Jerry Spinelli.  The newest biblio-therapy from the author of Stargirl and Maniac Magee pairs up two kids who've been through more than their years would indicate: 9-year-old David, whose mother was killed in an accident, and 13-year-old Primrose, who has never met her father. (Realistic Fiction)

A True and Faithful Narrative, by Katherine Sturtevant.  Meg, a 16-year-old girl in the 17th century, wants nothing more than to be a writer.  She's also torn between her father's apprentice and best friend's brother; who's been kidnapped by pirates.  This is a love story that muses about creativity and freedom. (Historical Fiction)

The Rules of Survival, by Nancy Werlin.  It doesn't get more real than Werlin's National Book Award finalist, the story of a boy and his two sisters living at the mercy of their abusive mother.  Told in letters from the boy to his younger sister, it's a tale of triumph as much as sorrow.  Kleenex required! (Realistic Fiction/Letters)

River Secrets, by Shannon Hale.  "A trip to Bayern is the perfect vacation," proclaims a librarian who'll be sharing Hale's magical world with her patrons this summer.  If, after reading this tale of heroism and war, you are craving more, check out Hale's The Goose Girl and Enna Burning.  (Fantasy)

American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang.  A National Book Award finalist and winner of the 2007 Printz award, Yan'ge graphic novel gets at the essence of being on the fringe.  The three interweaving stories move fast and keep one hooked.  (Graphic Novel)

Does My Head Look Big in This?, by Randa Abdel-Fattah.  Amal is your average 16-year-old chasing after the cutest boy in school.  Except that she's chosen to wear the hijab, or veil.  Amal must contend with that that means today. (Realistic Fiction)

Up Close: Robert F. Kennedy, by Marc Aronson.  What makes this new RFK bio stand out from the rest?  Concise language and analogies that teens will understand make this one a good read.  It's part of a brand-new biography series, and written by an author of award-winning nonfiction for young adults.  (Nonfiction/Biography)

Loving Will Shakespeare, by Carolyn Meyer.  Meyer gives us a glimpse of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife, in her latest piece of historical fiction.  (Historical Fiction)

Middle School Reading Log (Books 1-25) Super Reader

Middle School Reading Log (Books 26-50) Stellar Reader

Middle School Reading Log (Books 51-75)Sensational Reader

Middle School Reading Log (Books 76-100) Stupendous Reader

Holt Online Learning Subscription Instructions

URL address:  http://my.hrw.com

Passwords are sent home by the second week of school in a letter to parents.  They were reissued the second week in October to students!