Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Dear Marymount Student,
Summer vacation is here! I hope you enjoy the freedom of
summer, but don’t forget to feed your brain. Summer is a special
time to read the books you have always wanted to read. It’s also
a time to explore new genres, experience different worlds and
examine unfamiliar situations.
Summer Reading Requirement – 3 Books
The well-loved books on the 7th grade list are chosen for
literary merit and readability. Following the title of each book,
you will notice one, two or three stars. One-star books are easy
to read and relatively short. Two-star books are longer or
contain more advanced vocabulary. Three-star books, the most
challenging, include older classics and more mature themes.
All students will read Miracle’s Boys by Jacqeuline Woodson.
Lafayette is in the 7th grade. When an accident claims the lives
of his parents, his oldest brother, Ty’ree, agrees to raise his
younger siblings. When the middle brother brings trouble into
the home, Lafayette wonders if they’d be better off without him.
(Coretta Scott King Award, 2001)
Students will read 2 additional books over the summer, and
both selections should come from the Marymount 7th Grade
Reading List. Please pick books you have not already read.
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Summer Reading – Notes
For each book, prepare about one page (or less) of notes. Your
notes for any one book should be no more than one page in length.
You will use these notes in September for an in-class writing
assignment. Remember, the notes must be your own ideas and not
printed information from the Internet. Please bring your notes
to the first day of English class.
Please follow this outline when writing your notes:
- Book title
- Book author
- List of significant characters, with a phrase or two to
identify each character.
- Copy 2 significant passages from the book. It is not
necessary to describe or comment on the passages, but
remember to include the page number.
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Classic and Award-Winning Books
Alcott, Louisa May
Little Women ***
A well-loved story based on the author's family life and what it was like to grow up
in a household of four girls, each with a unique personality. Jo, the narrator, is the
Tom Boy of the family, and her narration charm readers of all ages. (1868)
Armstrong, William
Sounder **
A memorable tale about a well-loved dog named Sounder and his master, who is
driven to steal for his hungry wife and children.
(1969; Newbery Medal 1970)
George, Jean Craighead
Julie of the Wolves **
When her life in her Eskimo village becomes dangerous, Miyax runs away, only to
find herself lost in the Alaskan wilderness. Miyax tries to survive by copying the
ways of a pack of wolves. (1972; Newbery Medal 1973)
Canales, Viola
The Tequila Worm **
Sofia grows up in the barrio, where she learns the art of story telling, friendship,
and tradition. When Sofia accepts a scholarship to a private school, she must learn
to live her own life story in two different worlds. (Pura Belpre Award, 2006)
London, Jack
Call of the Wild **
This is the story of Buck, a dog who was stolen and forced into a life of hardship
and bitter cold in Alaska. Bucks learns to toughen up and face the harsh realities
of the Wild, but will the experience change him forever? (1903)
Paterson, Katherine
Jacob Have I Loved **
Ever since Sara was born, her twin sister was the pretty one, the talented one, the
better sister. For once in her life, Sara wants to be special, but she must discover
who she is and how to live outside her sister’s shadow. (Newbery Medal 1981)
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Rawlings, Marjorie
The Yearling **
Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1939, this novel takes place in the
backwoods Florida and narrates the special relationship between a boy and his tame
fawn, a classic work of American literature.
Rawls, Wilson
Where the Red Fern Grows **
This classic story follows the adventures of a boy and his beloved dogs in the Ozark
mountains. Billy trains his coonhound pups to hunt the evasive raccoon, eventually
winning a coveted gold cup. (1961)
Sachar, Louis
Holes *
Stanley is sent to a detention camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first
real friend. He also finds a treasure and a new sense of himself. (1998; Newbery
Medal 1999)
Verne, Jules
Around the World in 80 Days ***
Phileas Fogg sets out to win a bet that he can travel around the world in 80 days.
On his adventurous journey, Phileas encounters colorful characters and outwits a
persistent detective. (1873)
Venkatraman, Padma
Island’s End *
In 2004, the tribespeople of the Andaman Islands survived a devastating tsunami.
How? Enter the story of Uido, a teenage girl whose connection with nature singles
her out to become the spiritual leader of her tribe. (2011)
Adams, Richard
Watership Down ***
A band of rabbits escapes persecution to create a just society. Their courage and
loyalty inspire readers of all ages! But there’s another level: this adventurous story
can be seen as an allegory about the dangers of human civilization. (1972)
Allende, Isabel
City of Beasts ***
15 year-old Alexander joins his grandmother on a National Geographic research
assignment deep in the Amazon. But when Alexander is kidnapped by a remote
tribe in the jungle, he must learn to survive as the natives do, or perish. (2002)
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Asimov, Isaac
Fantastic Voyage **
A miniaturized submarine carrying a team of doctors travels through the
bloodstream of a brilliant scientist. Their goal? Help save the life of the most
gifted doctor on earth, before it’s too late. (1966)
Barron, T.A.
The Lost Years of Merlin *
A young boy who has no identity or memory of his past washes ashore on the coast
of Wales. He must find his true name after a series of fantastic adventures. (Best
Books for Young Adults 1997)
McKillip, Patricia
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld **
In the magical land of Eldwold, Sybel is a young girl with uncommon powers. She is
able to summon any number of magical animals, and with this power, she must travel
the land to face war and sorcery. (World Fantasy Award, 1975)
Tolkien, J.R.R.
The Hobbit ***
In the prelude to The Lord of the Rings series, Bilbo Baggins is drawn from his
quaint home to wondrous adventures involving elves, dwarves, goblins and dragons in
the magic lands beyond the Misty Mountains. (1937)
Farmer, Nancy
The House of the Scorpion **
Matteo lives in the home of El Patron, the powerful leader of a country called
Opium. Matteo is given special privileges, but he must uncover the mystery of his
existence before he is used for evil purposes. (Newberry Honor, 2002)
Gaimon, Neil
The Graveyard Book **
This imaginative story takes place in a graveyard, where a boy is raised by a lovable
society of ghosts! There are plenty adventures for such a boy, especially if he is
hunted by a madman. (Newberry Award, 2009)
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Realistic Fiction
Lupica, Mike
The Big Field **
Hutch is a gifted baseball player, which is no surprise. His father played
professional. When Hutch is "demoted" to second base, he shows everyone what a
team player he is. But can he survive betrayal? (New York Times Bestseller, 2008)
Bloor, Edward
Tangerine **
Twelve-year-old Paul‘s family revolves around his football-hero brother, and fails to
notice Paul as he fights for the right to play soccer after his bad eyesight
disqualified him. (1997)
Creech, Sharon
Walk Two Moons **
Salamanca's mother has left without explanation, and 13-year-old Sal is traveling
across the country with her kind, fun-loving grandparents, following the route her
mother took. (1994; Newbery Medal 1995)
Haddon, Mark
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time ***
This story is told by a mathematically gifted boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, a
condition related to autism that makes it almost impossible for him to understand
or express emotions. (2003; Best Books for Young Adults 2004)
Paulsen, Gary
Hatchet **
When the pilot of a small plane has a heart attack, Brian has to crash land in the
wilderness. The novel chronicles Brian's mistakes, setbacks, and small triumphs as
he manages to survive alone in the wilderness. (1987; Newbery Honor Book)
Peck, Richard
A Year Down Yonder *
Mary Alice moves to rural Illinois with her rough and gruff grandmother. Soon, she
becomes Grandma's partner in crime, helping to carry out schemes to benefit
friends and avenge enemies. (2000; Newbery Medal 2001)
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Historical Fiction
Hesse, Karen
Out of the Dust *
Through a spare, poetic narrative, 14 year-old Billie Jo paints a picture of the Dust
Bowl. She recalls the experiences that she and her family face in Oklahoma during
the 1930s. (Newbery Medal, 1998)
Forbes, Esther
Johnny Tremain **
With Boston ready for revolution, Johnny rises to the challenge, but he learns that
freedom can be dangerous when he becomes a courier for the secret Sons of
Liberty just before the Revolutionary War. (Newbery Medal, 1944)
Avi
Crispin: The Cross of Lead *
Crispin is a poor boy who learns there is a price on his head. When the only person
who knows his identity dies, he is left to fend for himself in the lonely world of
14th century England. (2002; Newbery Medal 2003)
Cushman, Karen
The Midwife’s Apprentice *
In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered
midwife, and in spite of obstacles and hardship, the girl eventually gains the three
things she most wants. (1995; Newbery Award 1996)
Hunt, Irene
No Promises in the Wind **
In 1932, America was in the depths of a depression. At 15, Josh sets out to make
his way in a country of angry, frightened people. This is the story of a young man's
struggle to find a life for himself in the turbulent 1930s. (1970)
Larson, Kirby
Hattie Big Sky **
In 1918, 16-year-old Hattie Brooks leaves Iowa and travels to a Montana homestead
she inherits from her uncle. In the beautiful but harsh setting, she has less than a
year to fence and cultivate the land in order to keep it. (Newbery Honor, 2006)
Marymount Middle School
7th Grade Summer Reading
Mystery/Suspense
Christie, Agatha
And Then There Were None **
Ten people, each with something to hide and something to fear, are invited to a
lonely mansion on Indian Island by a mysterioushost. Surprisingly, the host fails to
appear, and one by one, the guests begin to die. (1939)
Coonie, Caroline
The Face on the Milk Carton **
Janie's life is turned upside down when she notices the picture of a missing girl on
the back of a milk carton. The girl looks just like Janie as a child! Is it possible?
Could she be the face on the milk carton? (IRA-CBC Children’s Choice, 1992)
Hiasson, Carl
Hoot **
Roy, a middle school boy who is the target of a school bully, gets involved in a
mysterious case of vandalism and a barefoot boy’s commitment to save burrowing
owls living on a construction site. (Newbery Honor, 2002)
Hoobler, Dorothy
The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn **
Seikei longs to be a samurai, although he knows this is an inherited honor he can
never attain. On a stopover at an inn, Seikei witnesses a crime. His bravery earns
him the respect of a judge who hires Seikei to solve the mystery. (2005)
Peck, Richard
Dreamland Lake **
Flip and Brian have been best friends since grade school, but everything changes in
the spring of seventh grade. That's when they find a man lying dead in the leaves.
What happens next will change the course of their friendship forever. (1974)
Raskin, Ellen
The Westing Game **
The mysterious death of eccentric millionaire, Sam Westing, brings together an
unlikely assortment of heirs, who must uncover the circumstances of his death
before claiming their inheritance. (Newbery Medal 1979)