A list of intriguing 7th and 8th grade books that are clean, challenging reads for your middle school and junior high kids but will also capture their interest and invigorate their thinking.
By junior high, most kids either love reading or they kind of hate it (cringe!). If you have a book-avoider in the house, it may be that they just haven’t yet found the right story that speaks to their heart and personal circumstances. Everyone loves a good story, and your kid is no different. It takes some keying in to their personality, struggles, and interests to find just the right book to tempt them to read. Another sure fire way to tempt reluctant readers of 7th and 8th grade books is to off them an enticing book series that will keep them coming back for more.
On the other hand, if you have a book lover, you might be wondering what in the world your kid should read next? This list of 7th and 8th grade books will offer up some tantalizing choices that may push them to explore new genres and wrestle with unfamiliar concepts.
What is the Average 7th Grade Reading Level?
The average 7th grader is reading at level Z on Fountas and Pinnell reading levels – the very top of the chart! That translates into DRA levels 70-80 and a Lexile of 1000. In other words, 7th and 8th grade books now have a similar structure and vocabulary to adult literature. Sentences may be long and complex with up to 30 words at a time. Books at this level employ multiple literary devices with layers of understanding and complexity.
7th and 8th grade books challenge readers to confront moral and ethical dilemmas through character interaction and life circumstances. At times, they can deal with difficult, even upsetting themes such as disease, racism, disaster, war, and government tyranny. Coming-of-age stories that follow characters out of childhood into adulthood are also common themes in 7th and 8th grade books. Confronting these troubling ideas in literature can lay the foundation for junior high students to understand how to overcome challenges in their own lives. Good literature sparks integrity and moral strength.
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Middle School Reading List – 7th & 8th Grade Books
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #1 – Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret
This powerful memoir recounts 12-year old Peggy’s true-life story as she wakes one morning completely paralyzed due to polio. Terrified and isolated, Peg undergoes a year of life-saving treatment alongside of other polio victims. This is an upbeat, heartwarming story of healing, grit, determination, and perseverance.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #2 – Son by Lois Lowry
When Claire’s son is stolen from her by a corrupt, utopian government, she is determined to get him back at all costs. In this heart-wrenching story, readers return to the chilling setting of The Giver and escape once again to learn the true meaning of good and evil. The 4th in the series of The Giver, this novel also makes a dynamic independent read.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #3 – The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
In a world of wizards, dwarfs, and trolls, Bilbo is small hobbit who embarks on a grand quest. Amidst his adventures and crusade to destroy the mighty dragon, Bilbo finds a magical ring, rendering him invisible. This modern classic is the prequel to the timeless The Lord of the Rings and one of the best 7th and 8th grade books.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #4 – Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This famous memoir records the true feelings and observations of 13-year-old Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl hiding from Nazi authorities in 1942 with her family in a secret annex. Chronicling her daily life, hunger, boredom, and continual fear of discovery with a surprising sense of humor, this book is a classic must-read for junior high readers.
Important note: new material was recently found and added to Anne’s memoir, so the content may now be different than you remember.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #5 – Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Nat Bowditch is the true story of a mathematical genius and nautical whiz. Mastering the difficult art of sailing in the 1700s in the days of tall-masted ships and revolution in America, he goes on to write the ground-breaking nautical work of his era, The American Practical Navigator. His story from childhood to adulthood is at once adventurous and inspiring. A wonderful 7th and 8th grade book!
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #6 – Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
This heart-wrenching saga is a coming-of-age story following young Jethro from ages 9 to 14 during the turbulent Civil War era. Watching his older brothers and cousin go off to fight in the war, he is pulled into the conflict between North and South. Soon, his father falls ill and Jethro must take over the work on their Illinois farm and care for his mother and sister. This story is an impactful exploration of the Civil War years and its effect on society.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #7 – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is the beloved classic of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Set in the 19th century, the girls grow from childhood to young womanhood. Left behind when their father goes off to war, the girls and their mother feel duty bound to settle into domestic life but equally pulled by personal ambitions. Exploring themes of poverty, hospitality, family, and ambition, this timeless story is an absolute must-read and one of the best 7th and 8th grade books you can choose!
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #8 – Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
This powerful historical fiction novel details the life of Johnny, a 14-year old silversmith apprentice during the colonial era and the Revolutionary War. After a tragic injury, he is forced to abandon his trade and look for new work where he runs into such impactful personalities as John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Masterfully written, this 7th & 8th grade book is a must-read for students interested in the Revolutionary War era.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #9 – Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
This unique Newbery Award winner is written entirely in poetry that tells the story of troubled Billie Jo. Reeling from her mother’s death and her father’s silence, she struggles with wounded hands and a scarred heart. She fears she will never play piano again and never heal from the tragedies of her life. Meanwhile, their Oklahoma farm faces the famous 1930s dustbowl and Billie Jo wonders how they will ever come out of the dust again.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #10 – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Tom is the traditional, mischievous, fun-loving boy who skips school and engages in all sorts of pranks just to rustle up some adventure. Set in the 1840s along the Mississippi river, this orphan boy exemplifies the joys of boyhood in this timeless classic that all kids should read.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #11 – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Written by the same acclaimed author as Tom Sawyer, his friend Huck Finn is the freedom-loving son of the town drunk. In an attempt to escape the constraints of society, Huck floats away on a raft down the Mississippi, picking up a runaway slave escaping the injustices of a cruel system pre-Civil War. With original dialect and astounding adventure, this classic story explores the concepts of freedom and friendship.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #12 – Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
In this classic sequel to the famous Anne of Green Gables, Anne grows from a spunky child into a determined young lady. She discovers the joys and trials of being Avonlea’s one-room schoolmarm and aids Marilla as they take in two challenging orphans. Struggling between her loyalty to her home and her personal ambitions, she relies on her creativity, grit, and big heart to overcome trials of daily life.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #13 – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Set in 1866, a ship is sent out upon the mighty ocean to investigate sightings of a formidable giant sea creature. When the creature attacks, some of the sailors are thrown overboard only to discover that the creature is a submarine captained by the elusive Captain Nemo. A classic science-ficiton tale of adventures under the sea, this gripping story has entertained readers for generations.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #14 – My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
This Newbery Honor Book is a riveting historical fiction novel chronicling the Meeker family as they are torn apart by the American Revolution. Young Tim is filled with awe when his older brother Sam joins the rebels despite their father’s loyalty to the British. Exploring the many complexities of the Revolutionary War, this book considers themes of family loyalty, the violence of war, and the pain of loss.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #15 – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her beloved sister in a life-or-death battle televised on live TV, a punishment from the tyrannical government controlling all their lives. Unknowingly, Katniss becomes the symbol of a movement of rebellion and hope. A moving, fast-paced dystopian novel that will captivate readers.
Read: Binge-worthy Book Series for Middle Schoolers
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #16 – The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Young Henry Fleming itches to go to war but there confronts his greatest terror, leading him to run away from the battle. Redefining the meaning of a hero facing the horror and the glory of battle during the Civil War, readers walk step-in-step with Henry through his emotional journey of cowardice and bravery. This intimate look at the psychological impact of war will stay with readers long after the last page has closed.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #17 – Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Published in 1852, this incendiary story portraying the lives of slaves and masters quickly had a major impact on the American debate about human rights leading up to the Civil War. Featuring a dynamic and heroic slave, Tom saves the life of little Eva and is then purchased by her father and later resold. A profound and moving anti-slavery novel, this is a top pick for 7th and 8th grade books.
>>>7th & 8th Grade Books #18 – Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie
You’re probably already familiar with the Peter Pan story and his beloved sidekick Tinkerbell, but the original story was written for older children, just the age of the famous Peter and Wendy, on the cusp of young adulthood. This classic coming-of-age story is filled with imagination, adventure, epic battles, and heart-warming moments. Filled with rich vocabulary and imagery, it makes a perfect choice for 7th & 8th grade books.
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