Middle School Summer Reading List International School of Dakar Summer 2012
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Middle School
Summer Reading List
International School of Dakar
Summer 2012Dear Parents and Students, Included in this summer reading packet are some great suggestions of books for you to read this summer. Feel free to deviate from this list—if you already have your own list of favorite authors, go for it! It’s not as important what you read, but more important that you read! Also included in this booklet are the core novels for each grade level, in case you want to have your own copy or buy the audio version of it. And finally, in the last section of this booklet, you will find some assignments to help you process the reading you’ve done. Your Language Arts teachers expect that you will complete at least one (1) assignment. This will count to your first project grade of the year. You may turn these assignments in on the first day of school. We are asking all sixth graders to read at least three (3) novels over the summer, all incoming seventh graders should read (4) novels and rising eighth graders should aim to read at least five (5) novels. We encourage you, however, to read more than what is required! It is often the case in international schools that students (many of whom are ELL students) make tremendous growth in language arts during the school year, but then regress over the summer months, due to lack of practice. A great way to prevent this from happening is to read. My advice to students this summer—turn off the TV, shut off the computer, put away the video games and settle down with some great books. Mr. Emborsky
Pre‐Purchase Core Reading
Sometimes students like to buy their own copies of the core novels that they will be studying in
class, while others prefer to listen to the book or an audio file. Some ELL (English Language
Learner) students like to pre‐read books they will be reading in order to have a better
understanding of the literature. Below, is a list of the core novels that middle school students
will be reading in the Language Arts classes next year:
Grade 6 Core Novels
L’Engle A Wrinkle in Time
Lowry The Giver
Evslin The Adventures of Ulysses
Paulsen Woodsong
Grade 7 Core Novels
Paulsen Sarny: A Life Remembered
Hansberry A Raisin in the Sun
Hinton The Outsiders
Spinelli Stargirl
Grade 8 Core Novels
Steinbeck Of Mice and Men
Cisneros House on Mango Street
Lee To Kill a Mockingbird
Stratton Chanda’s Secrets
Books set in Africa
Ellis, Deborah , THE HEAVEN SHOP c2004.
Binti and her siblings are orphaned when their father dies of AIDS. Split up and sent to relatives all
over Malawi, they suffer increasing hardship until they are reunited through the influence of their
formidable grandmother.
Henning Mankell: SECRETS IN THE FIRE c2003.
Translation of: Eldens Hemlighet.;Translated from the Swedish. Presents a fact‐based novel that
explores the experiences of Sofia, a young girl from southern Africa who must struggle to rebuild her
life after losing her legs in a land mine explosionSuggestions for new 6th Graders
Ryan: ESPERANZA RISING c2000
Creech: THE WANDERER c2000 adventure
Told through journal writings, Sophie and her historical fiction, diversity During the
cousin, Cody, share the experiences of their Great Depression, Esperanza and her
journey on a sailboat, The Wanderer, from mother are forced from their wealthy
Connecticut to England with six crew home in Mexico to Southern California
members, including her uncles and cousins. where they work in harsh conditions.
Gary Paulsen. HARRIS AND ME, Sent
to live with relatives on their farm Selznick: THE INVENTION OF HUGO
because of his unhappy home life, an CABRET: A NOVEL IN WORDS AND
eleven‐year‐old city boy meets his PICTURES c2007 adventure, mystery
distant cousin Harris and is given an 2008 Caldecott Medal Winner When
introduction to a whole new world. twelve‐year‐old Hugo, an orphan living
Hilarious book! and repairing clocks within the walls of a
Paris train station in 1931, meets a
mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his
undercover life and his biggest secret are
Funke: INKHEART c2003 fantasy A girl
jeopardized.
and her father, a bookbinder who can
“read” fictional characters into real life,
are abducted by one of the characters, Riordan: THE LIGHTNING THIEF
who tries to force them into his service. c2005 fantasy 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
Hesse: MUSIC OF THE DOLPHINS c1996 Poseidon. To save humankind Percy
realistic fiction The thoughts of a young embarks on an adventure to return
girl, who was raised by dolphins from 4 a lightning bolt his father stole from Zeus.
years old after a plane crash, are recorded
by a scientist as she is reintroduced to a
Haddix: AMONG THE HIDDEN c1998
civilized way of life.
science fiction, adventure Luke, twelve
years old and an illegally born third child,
has been in hiding all of his life from the
Holm: PENNY FROM HEAVEN c2006 Population Police who are trying to
historical fiction Newbery honor winner eliminate "shadow children."
In New Jersey during the summer of 1953,
eleven‐year‐old Penny, living with her
mother and maternal grandparents, learns Horowitz: ALEX RIDER ADVENTURES
the truth about her father’s death and SERIES adventure Read about the
about her upbringing after she has a adventures of Alex Rider, a teenage
serious accident. super spy. 1st book: Stormbreaker
(Series does not have to be read in
order)
Paratore: THE WEDDING PLANNER’S
DAUGHTER c2005 humor, romance A
twelve‐year‐old girl, whose mother is a Mikaelson, Ben, TOUCHING SPIRIT
wedding planner, wishes for her mother BEAR c2001 Fifteen‐year‐old Cole,
to marry. trying to avoid prison, agrees to
participate in a sentencing
alternative based on the NativeAmerican Circle Justice, and is sent to a remote
Alaskan Island where an encounter with a huge Spirit
Bear changes his life.
Korman, Gordon, SCHOOLED c2007.
Cap lives in isolation with his
grandmother, a former hippie; but
when she falls from a tree and breaks
her hip, Cap is sent to a foster home
where he has his first experience in a
public school.
Creech: WALK TWO MOONS
c1994.
After her mother leaves home
suddenly, thirteen‐year‐old Sal and
her grandparents take a car trip
retracing her mother's route. Along
the way, Sal recounts the story of
her friend Phoebe, whose mother
also left.
Riordan, Rick , THE LOST HERO
c2010.
Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students
from a school for "bad kids," find
themselves at Camp Half‐Blood,
where they learn that they are
demigods and begin a quest to free
Hera, who has been imprisoned by
Mother Earth herself.
Rowling, J. K., HARRY POTTER
AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
c1998. Rescued from the
outrageous neglect of his aunt
and uncle, a young boy with a
great destiny proves his worth
while attending Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Suggestions for new 7th Graders friendship and the importance of
family.
Anderson: FEVER, 1793 c2000
Wilson Rawls. WHERE THE RED FERN
historical fiction In 1793 sixteen year‐
GROWS. Classic. A young boy living in
old Matty, who is forced to leave her
the Ozarks achieves his heart's desire
home to avoid the yellow fever
when he becomes the owner of two
epidemic in Philadelphia, learns self‐
redbone hounds and teaches them to
reliance and perseverance.
be champion hunters.
Avi: CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD Hiaasen: HOOT c2002 mystery,
c2004 historical fiction Crispin is a poor, environmental issue Roy, a middle
motherless child who finds that there is a school boy who is the target of a school
price on his head. When the only person bully, gets involved in a mysterious case
who can tell him who he really is dies, he of vandalism and a barefoot boy’s
is left to fend for himself. He does make commitment to save burrowing owls
a friend of a strange fellow who protects him living on a construction site.
teaches him skills to make his way in the lonely
world of 14th century England. Funke: THE THIEF LORD c2001
adventure, fantasy The threat of being
Bradley: FOR FREEDOM: THE STORY OF separated causes two orphaned
A FRENCH SPY c2003 historical fiction brothers to run away to Venice where
During World War II, a 13‐year‐old French they join a group of fugitive children
girl finds her life changed and in danger and a gentle undercover detective.
when she becomes a spy for the French
Resistance.
Colfer: AIRMAN c2008 adventure, Gary L. Blackwood. THE
survival, fantasy After being branded a SHAKESPEARE
traitor, imprisoned, and forced to work STEALER. A young orphan boy is
in the diamond mines under horrible ordered by his master to infiltrate
conditions, Conor Broekhart Shakespeare's acting troupe in
encounters many adventures while order to steal the script of
planning a prison escape in a flying "Hamlet," but he discovers instead
machine that he must build. the meaning of friendship and
loyalty
DuPrau: THE CITY OF EMBER c2003
fantasy Twelve‐year‐old Lina lives in
the 241 year‐old ruined, underground
city of Ember where she and a friend Christopher Paul Curtis. THE
embark on a harrowing journey to find WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM
a way out of the city and save their — 1963. The ordinary interactions
people before it is too late. and everyday routines of the
Watsons, an African‐American
Jerry Spinelli. CRASH, Seventh‐ family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically
grader John "Crash" Coogan has changed after they go to visit Grandma in
always been comfortable with his Alabama in the summer of 1963
tough, aggressive behavior, until his
relationship with an unusual Quaker
boy and his grandfather's stroke Sachar: HOLES c1998 adventure
make him consider the meaning of Stanley Yelnats finds true friendship, a
treasure and a new beginning at CampGreenwood, a correctional camp in Texas for
juveniles, where he is sent for a crime he did not
commit.
Weeks: SO B. IT c2005 contemporary
realistic fiction, diversity Heidi
searches to discover the background
of her mentally disabled mother.
Michael Scott. THE ALCHEMYST.
Fifteen‐year‐old twins, Sophie and
Josh, find themselves caught up in the
deadly struggle between rival
alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John
Dee, over the possession of an ancient
book that holds the secret formulas
for alchemy and everlasting life.
Colfer, Eoin THE LOST COLONY
When demons begin appearing on
Earth unpredictably, Artemis and his
friends face a new foe ‐‐ a twelve‐
year‐old girl whose intellect just might
match Artemis's own ‐‐ as they try to
prevent catastrophe.
Laurie Halse Anderson: CHAINS c2010.
"Seeds of America." After being sold to
a cruel couple in New York City, a slave
named Isabel spies for the rebels
during the Revolutionary War.Suggestions for new 8th Graders finds a mysterious stone from which a dragon
hatches.
Catherine Jinks. EVIL GENIUS.
Child prodigy Cadel Piggot, an
antisocial computer hacker, discovers
his true identity when he enrolls as a Avi. NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, A ninth‐
first‐year student at an advanced grader's suspension for humming "The
crime academy. Star‐Spangled Banner" during homeroom
becomes a national news story, and
Forbes: JOHNNY TREMAIN c1943 leads to him and his teacher both leaving
historical fiction, classic Johnny the school.
Tremain is drawn into the Revolutionary
War and becomes a patriot fighting to
free the colonies from England. Along
the way he learns about life and about Park: WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO
himself. c2002 historical fiction Teenage siblings
describe the struggles of their Korean
Oppel: AIRBORN c2004 mystery A family to preserve its culture during WWII
cabin boy and wealthy young girl on Japanese occupation.
luxury airship team‐up to search for
mysterious creatures that a dying
balloonist claimed he saw. Sonnenblick: AFTER EVER AFTER
c2010.Although Jeff and Tad,
encouraged by a new friend,
Lindsey, make a deal to help one
Suzanne Collins: HUNGER GAMES another overcome aftereffects of
c2010. their cancer treatments in
preparation for eighth‐grade
graduation, Jeff still craves advice
Sixteen‐year‐old Katniss Everdeen
from his older brother Stephen, who is studying
accidentally becomes a contender drums in Africa. (Sequel to DRUMS, GIRLS AND
in the annual Hunger Games, a DANGEROUS PIE.)
grave competition hosted by the
Capitol where young boys and girls are pitted against Spinelli: STARGIRL c2000 contemporary
one another in a televised fight to the death realistic fiction A sixteen‐year‐old
eccentric high school girl and her
Nye: HABIBI, realistic fiction c1999. boyfriend discover the ill effects of her
When fourteen‐year‐old Liyanne unconventional behavior.
Abboud, her younger brother, and
her parents move from St. Louis to
a new home between Jerusalem
and the Palestinian village where
her father was born, they face
many changes and must deal with Stevenson: DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
the tensions between Jews and classic The classic story about a
Palestinians. respected doctor who creates a drug
that transforms him into a murderous
Paolini: ERAGON c2003 fantasy criminal.
Eragon’s life is changed into a world of
suspense, survival and magic after heBoyne: THE BOY IN STRIPED
PAJAMAS c2006. Bored and lonely
after his family moves from Berlin to
a place called "Out‐With" in 1942,
Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer,
befriends a boy in striped pajamas
who lives behind a wire fence.
Farmer: THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION
c2002 science fiction In the future,
clones are looked down upon by
humans. However, Matt, a clone of a
powerful leader, experiences special
privileges.
Walter Dean Myers SLAM, Sixteen‐
year‐old "Slam" Harris is counting
on his noteworthy basketball talents
to get him out of the inner city and
give him a chance to succeed in life,
but his coach sees things differently.
Tolkien, J.R.R.:LORD OF THE RINGS
TRILOGY c1954 fantasy, classic This
trilogy includes The Fellowship of the
Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of
the King. It is the story of how the dark
power of Sauron is destroyed.Suggestions for new 9th Graders England finds his true identity through his
misadventures.
Adams: THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO
THE GALAXY c1980 humor, science
fiction After narrowly escaping Earth’s
destruction, Arthur Dent travels the
galaxy with the help of tour guide Ford
Dumas: THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
c1846 historical fiction, classic This classic
Prefect, on a quest to save the universe. adventure novel involves a daring prison
escape, a risky search for buried treasure
Anaya: BLESS ME, ULTIMA c1972
diversity, fiction A healer helps Antonio and a quest for revenge.
when he comes to live with his family in
New Mexico.
Johnson: THE FIRST PART LAST c2003
Alexie, Sherman THE ABSOLUTELY teenage, African American fiction The
TRUE DIARY OF A PART‐TIME INDIAN birth of Bobby’s baby girl brings life
Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his changes to his carefree teenage life.
troubled school on the Spokane Indian
Reservation to attend an all‐white farm
town school where the only other
Indian is the school mascot. Krakauer: INTO THIN AIR: A PERSONAL
ACCOUNT OF THE MOUNT EVEREST
DISASTER c1998 nonfiction, survival In
March 1996, a group of people joined an
Anderson, Laurie Halse: SPEAK c1999 expedition to climb Mount Everest. This
emotional problems Melinda begins group included journalist Jon Krakauer
high school as a social outcast after a and lead climber Rob Hall. Despite the
traumatic experience in the summer. expertise of the climbers, the expedition
met with disaster. Krakauer
analyzes why.
Covey: THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE TEENS c1998 nonfiction
Hints and strategies for success in life, McKinley: BEAUTY: A RETELLING OF
communicated through engaging THE STORY OF BEAUTY AND THE
stories, cartoons and quotations. BEAST c1978 romance, folklore fiction
While the beautiful heroine is being
held captive in the castle of the
frightening beast, her love for the
beast releases him from the spell that
Dessen: THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER
transformed him.
c2004 grief, fiction The summer after
her father dies holds unexpected
changes that help Marcy face her grief. Nolan: DANCING ON THE EDGE c2007
fiction. Miracle, raised by her psychic
grandmother, Gigi, searches for her
identity and dancing becomes the only
thing that makes Miracle feel like a whole
Dickens: OLIVER TWIST c1867 person. After being committed to the
classic An orphan in Victorian psychiatric ward of a hospital, Miraclemust face the truth about her past.
Peck: THE TEACHER'S FUNERAL c2004
teenage guys’ fiction In rural Indiana in
1904, fifteen‐year‐old Russell’s dream
of quitting school and joining a wheat
threshing crew is disrupted when his
older sister takes over teaching at his
one room schoolhouse after mean old
Myr Arbuckle, "hauls off and dies."
Cormier, Robert THE CHOCOLATE
WAR. A high school freshman discovers
the devastating consequences of
refusing to join in the school's annual
fund raising drive and arousing the
wrath of the school bullies.
Doctorow, Cory LITTLE BROTHER.
After being interrogated for days by
the Department of Homeland
Security in the aftermath of a major
terrorist attack on San Francisco,
California, seventeen‐year‐old
Marcus, released into what is now a
police state, decides to use his
expertise in computer hacking to set
things right.
Stephanie Tolan. SURVIVING THE
APPLEWHITES. Jake, a budding juvenile
delinquent, is sent for home schooling
to the arty and eccentric Applewhite
family's Creative Academy, where he
discovers talents and interests he never
knew he had.
Myers: MONSTER c1999. While
on trial as an accomplice to a
murder, sixteen‐year‐old Steve
Harmon records his experiences in
prison and in the courtroom in the
form of a film script as he tries to
come to terms with the course his
life has taken.You can also read
