entering GRADE 8 Book Lists

The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - In order to inherit vast wealth and an eccentric estate from a rich man she has never met, Avery must agree to one condition: move in and solve a puzzling mystery  (mystery).

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card - Young Ender Wiggin may just be the military genius the Earth needs in a desperate battle against an alien race (science fiction).

Legend, by Marie Lu - In a distant future, wanted criminal Day just wants to save and protect his family. Brilliant and rich June, destined for a successful military career, vows to hunt him down and kill him until she discovers things are not always what they seem to be  (dystopian). 

A Dangerous Idea: the Scopes trial, the original fight over science in schools,  by Debbie Levy - "One hundred years ago a small-town science teacher ignited a nation-wide debate over what students should learn in school - and who should decide." A gripping retelling of a legal battle still relevant today  (nonfiction). 

Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus - Stranded on a remote island, fourteen year old Manjiro dreams of becoming a samurai. Instead he learns new customs and laws as he is rescued by an American whaler and becomes the first Japanese person to set foot in the United States  (historical fiction).

The Sky Was My Blanket, by Uri Shulevitz - A gripping and true story of a young Polish exile fighting to survive in war-torn Europe. Born during WWI, Yehiel leaves home seeking adventure, an act that would save his life (biography, WWII).

Beowulf, by Gareth Hinds - A retelling of the tale of a Norse warrior-hero tasked with killing the monster Grendel and his mother (graphic novel). 

Give Me a Sign, by Anna Sortino - Lilah, who wears a hearing aid, returns to her childhood summer camp as a counselor hoping to help others and improve her ASL. But finding romance was something she did not expect (realistic fiction). 

Impossible Escape: a true story of survival and heroism in Nazi Europe, by Steve Sheinkin - The accounts of two Jewish teenagers from Slovakia and their efforts to survive the Holocaust - one in a concentration camp; the other hiding in Budapest (nonfiction). 

How to Stay Invisible, by Maggie Rudd - What do you do when you come home from school, find your rented trailer locked and your unreliable parents gone? Raymond does what he does best; keeps his head down and tries to stay invisible, going to school during the day and living in the woods with his dog at night (realistic fiction).

Strong As Fire, Fierce As Flames, by Supriya Kelkar -  "In 1857 India, 12-year-old Meera escapes a life she has no say in only to end up a servant to a British general in the East India Company. When a rebellion against British colonizers spreads, she must choose between relative safety in a British household or standing up for herself and her people" (historical fiction). 

It Wasn't Me, by Dana Alison Levy - When Theo’s photography project is vandalized, the five students nearby all claim it wasn’t them. So Theo’s favorite teacher suggests they all spend vacation week together and get to the truth"-- Publisher  (realistic fiction). 

Mexikid, by Pedro Martin - A memoir about growing up in a big "somewhat American" and "somewhat Mexican" family, and an epic road trip to Mexico to bring their abuelito back to their home in America (graphic novel).