2015-2016 Oregon Battle of the Books
Grades 6-8 Annotated Booklist
Prepared by Sonja Somerville Teen Services Librarian Salem Public Library
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins (2010)
Realistic Fiction
680L, 272 pages
Two Burmese boys, one forced into the Burmese Army and one fighting on the side of Karenni
insurgents in the country’s civil war, meet in the jungle and are forced to choose between dying
or trusting one another.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan (2012)
Realistic Fiction
770L, 384 pages
A quirky cast of characters comes to the aid of 12-year-old genius and outcast Willow Chance
after her parents are killed in a car accident, but it quickly becomes unclear who is taking care
of who.
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (1990)
Fantasy
830L, 240 pages
Having become weary of life trapped in a palace, headstrong Cimorene leaves to live among the
dragons and becomes involved in fighting to protect their kingdom from dastardly wizards.
Famous Last Words by Katie Alender (2014)
Mystery/Thriller
660L, 320 pages
New Hollywood resident Willa is having disturbing visions—of things like a body floating in her
swimming pool. Slowly, it begins to seem like there is a connection with a creepy serial killer
who is recreating famous movie scenes.
The Great Trouble by Deborah Hopkinson (2013)
Historical Fiction
660L, 256 pages
The mystery is cholera and how it is spreading through London in 1854. Eel is an orphan who,
with his best friend Florrie, joins Dr. John Snow in an effort save lives by proving the disease is
spread through water, not poisonous air as many believe.
Jinx by Sage Blackwood (2013)
Fantasy
HL620L, 368 pages
Abandoned by his stepparents in the decidedly dangerous forest of Urwald and rescued by the
possibly evil, but excellent pumpkin pie-baking wizard Simon, Jinx sets out on a daring quest to
find the answers about what’s really going on.
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Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (2012)
Fantasy
670L, 496 pages
Sophie has always been able to read minds. At age 12, she discovers she is not human after all,
but hidden away among humans to protect secrets buried deep in her memory. Building a new
life among the elves, she discovers that some would kill for the secrets she keeps.
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead (2012)
Realistic Fiction
670L, 192 pages
Georges is not happy about leaving his house for apartment life as a seventh grader. His parents
are distracted. He is being picked on at school. Then, he meets Safer, a 12-year-old coffee
drinking loner who recruits Georges into his efforts to spy on the mysterious Mr. X in the
apartment upstairs.
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans (2011)
Science Fiction
HL500L, 338 pages
In an unwise and unguarded moment, 14-year-old Michael Vey–a picked-on kid with Tourette’s
syndrome–reveals his secret electric powers. The discovery that cheerleader Taylor has similar
powers sends them looking for answers–and into the arms of a powerful group intent on
twisting their abilities to evil purposes.
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (2013)
Historical Fiction
790L, 320 pages
Uprooted from Kansas and sent to boarding school in Maine, Jack Baker is drawn into the orbit
of the strange and imaginative Early Auden. Together, they go on a quest on the Appalachian
Trail searching for a legendary black bear and encounter pirates, buried secrets, and a unique
story based on the number pi.
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez (2009)
Realistic Fiction
890L, 336 pages
When Tyler’s father is injured in a farm accident, his family hires migrant Mexican workers to
try to save their farm from foreclosure. After he befriends Mari, the oldest of the family’s three
daughters, Tyler begins to realize what it means to them to be undocumented.
The Roar by Emma Clayton (2008)
Dystopian Fiction
910L, 496 pages
Ellie has been taught to believe that the concrete wall and high-voltage razor wire that
surrounds her world was built to protect people from plague-ridden animals. Mika has been
taught that his twin sister, Ellie, was killed years ago. Both are beginning to realize they live in a
world of lies. Both are preparing to act.
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Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz (2001)
Action Adventure
670L, 224 pages
Alex’s uncle/guardian has died under suspicious circumstances. Alex first learns that his uncle
was a top-secret operative with the Britain’s intelligence agency, M16. Then, forces within the
agency manipulate Alex into taking over his uncle’s work and facing extreme danger.
Strike Three, You’re Dead by Josh Berk (2013)
Sports Mystery
590L, 272 pages
Die-hard baseball fan, but tragically bad baseball player Lenny Norbeck is about to get his big
break. He wins a contest that will allow him to announce one inning for the Phillies, but before
he can get started, a player drops dead. Lenny and his friends suspect foul play and set out to
investigate.
What We Found in the Sofa and How It Saved the World by Henry Clark (2013)
Humor 730L, 356 pages
The discovery of a rare zucchini-colored crayon between the cushions of a sofa pulls River,
Freak, and Fiona into an evil plot to conquer the world. It is up to this trio of 12-year-olds to
save Earth from an invasion of interstellar storm troopers.
Written in Stone by Rosanne Parry (2013)
Historical Fiction
810L, 198 pages
Pearl loves the traditions of her Pacific Northwest Indian tribe and dreams of hunting whales in
an eight-man canoe like her father. But an accident and the introduction of steam-powered
whaling ships drive the whales from their waters. The Makah and Pearl must struggle to survive
and fight to hold onto their culture.
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