Must-read book list for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, categorized by genre and age appropriateness. These books are engaging, age-appropriate, and offer a range of themes and writing styles.
6th Grade Must-Reads
Focus: Foster imagination, introduce new genres, and encourage empathy.
Classics
1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
2. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
3. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Fantasy and Adventure
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
5. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Realistic Fiction
7. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
8. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
9. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Historical Fiction
10. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
11. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
12. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Nonfiction and Biographies
13. Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly
14. I Am Malala (Young Readers’ Edition) by Malala Yousafzai
15. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers’ Edition) by William Kamkwamba
Graphic Novels
16. El Deafo by Cece Bell
17. Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
18. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
7th Grade Must-Reads
Focus: Develop critical thinking, tackle moral dilemmas, and engage with diverse perspectives.
Classics
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. The Giver by Lois Lowry
3. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Fantasy and Adventure
4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
6. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Realistic Fiction
7. Holes by Louis Sachar
8. Front Desk by Kelly Yang
9. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Historical Fiction
10. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
11. Refugee by Alan Gratz
12. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Nonfiction and Biographies
13. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
14. Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal
15. Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Graphic Novels
16. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
17. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
18. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
8th Grade Must-Reads
Focus: Prepare for high school, engage with complex themes, and encourage critical analysis.
Classics
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Fantasy and Science Fiction
4. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
5. His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
6. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Realistic Fiction
7. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
8. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
9. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Historical Fiction
10. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
11. Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
12. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Nonfiction and Biographies
13. I Am Malala (Young Readers’ Edition) by Malala Yousafzai
14. Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly
15. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Graphic Novels
16. Maus by Art Spiegelman
17. March: Book One by John Lewis
18. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
Tips for Incorporating These Books
• Independent Reading: Allow students to choose books based on their interests.
• Group Discussions: Use these books for literature circles to foster collaboration.
• Writing Projects: Assign reflective essays, creative responses, or research projects tied to the books.
• Reading Challenges: Encourage reading across genres to broaden their experience.
This list covers a mix of classics, contemporary works, and diverse voices, ensuring a well-rounded reading experience for middle schoolers.
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