Quincy Public Schools Summer Reading

Suggested Reading List for
Grades 7 and 8

Students are encouraged to read anything at their reading level. The lists are only suggestions and examples. Many of the books may be out being enjoyed by another reader but don't panic--simply place a hold or choose another book.

Many of the books on these lists can be checked out of the library in Quincy and many of them are also owned by other South Shore libraries in the Old Colony Library Network. If the book you want is checked out, you can place a hold on it either at the library or online. Click on the blue underlined titles to check availability in the library catalog.

The following titles and authors are suggestions only. Feel free to substitute any books of your choice.

Award Winners

Criss Cross - Perkins, L.
Kira-Kira - Kadohata, C.
Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow - Bartoletti, S.
Maritcha - Bolden, T.

Fantasy

Charlie Bone (series) - Nimmo, Jenny
Eragon - Paolini, C.
Artemis Fowl (series) - Colfer, E.
City of Ember - DuPrau, J.
Redwall (series) - Jacques, Brian
Circle of Magic (series) - Pierce, Tamora
The Thief - Turner, M.
Wizards of the Game - Lubar, D.
The Sword in the Stone - White, T.H.
Inkspell - Funke, C.
The Thief Lord - Funke, C.
Harry Potter (series) - Rowling, J.K.

Historical Fiction

Game of Silence - Erdrich, L.
The Birchbark House - Erdrich, L.
Fathom Five - Westall, R.
At the Sign of the Star - Sturtevant, K.
Stealing Freedom - Carbone, E.
River Between Us - Peck, R.
Al Capone Does My Shirts - Choldenko, G.
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Wolf Brother - Paver, M.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead - Avi

Mystery

The Name of the Game was Murder - Nixon, J.
Unfrightened Dark - Holland, I.
Alex Rider (series) - Horowitz, Anthony
Skeleton Man - Bruchac, J.

Poetry

Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by 20th Century American Art - Greenberg
19 Varieties of Gazelle - Nye, N.
The Space Between Our Footsteps - Nye, N.
Rolling in the Aisles - Lansky. B.

Biography

Myth Maker: J.R.R. Tolkien - Neimark, A.
Ben Franklin's Almanac - Fleming, C.
The Ordeal of Olive Oatman - Rau, M.
The Voice that Challenged a Nation - Freedman, R.
Bad Boy - Myers, W.

Non-Fiction

Tales from the Red Sox Dugout - Prime, J.
Rick and Lanie's Excellent Kitchen Adventures - Bayless, R.
Remember: The Journey to School Integration - Morrison, T.
Bone Detectives - Jackson, D.
Calligraphy for Kids - Winters, E.
The Good, The Bad and the Slimy - Latta, S.

Realistic Fiction

Becoming Naomi Leon - Ryan, P.
Multiple Choice - Tashjian, J.
A Time for Dancing - Hurwin, D.
The Long Season of Rain - Kim, H.
Flipped - Van Draanen, W.
Princess Diaries - Cabot, M.
Olive's Ocean - Henkes, K.
Surviving the Applewhites - Tolan, S.
Homeless Bird - Whelan, G.
The Gospel According to Larry - Tashjian, J.
Never Mind! - Avi
Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day Paulsen, G.
Under the Persimmon Tree - Staples, S.
The Killing Sea - Lewis, R.

Science Fiction

Zoe Rising - Conrad, P.
The Duplicate - Sleator, W.
Marco's Millions - Sleator, W.
Enchantress from the Stars - Engdahl, S.
Maximum Ride - Patterson, J.

Short Stories

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul - Canfield, D.
Losing is Not an Option - Wallace, R.

Sports

Wrestling Sturbridge - Wallace, R.
Whale Talk - Chutcher, C.
Choosing Up Sides - Ritter, J.
Travel Team - Lupica, M.
Heat - Lupica, M.
Night Hoops - Deuker, C.