Entering 7th
All students entering 7th grade are required to read at least two books over the summer. The first is Soul Surfer (click on the title for the Amazon link), by Bethany Hamilton (see below for assignment).
The second book can be a book of your choice from the lists below. You can request permission to read a book not on these lists by sending your request to Mr. Van Ness at svanness@timothychristian.org. Choose one of the response options listed on the tab at the top of the page. Please submit your assignments to the 7th Grade Summer Reading Team on Microsoft Teams.
NOTE: Submitting work written by any type of artificial intelligence software is considered plagiarism, and will result in a 0 for the assignment.
If you are brand new to TCS for the fall, please print out your assignments and bring them to school by the due date.
Soul Surfer: A Letter to Bethany Hamilton
In the novel Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton tells us her story. Now, we are going to respond! You are to write a 400-word minimum letter to Bethany, containing the following:
A little bit about yourself
How you reacted to her story
Your favorite part of the book
How her experience has impacted you
This assignment must be typed!
Your work will be graded on:
Spelling and Grammar
Sincerity (whether or not you take the prompt seriously)
Accuracy (whether or not the things you say about the book are correct)
NOTE: You do NOT have to complete a Reading Response for Soul Surfer. This is the only required assignment for the novel.
Fiction
Artemis Fowl
by Eoin ColferPrince Caspian
by C.S. LewisGhost
by Jason ReynoldsFablehaven
by Brandon MullThe People of Sparks
by Jeanne DuPrauThings Not Seen
by Andrew ClementsThe Thief Lord
by Cornelia FunkeFever, 1793
by Laurie Halse AndersonThe Supernaturalist
by Eoin ColferThe Lightning Thief
by Rick RiordanThe Hobbit
by J.R.R. TolkienHalf Moon Investigations
by Eoin ColferRedwall
by Brian JaquesCatherine Called Birdy
by Karen CushmanCastaways of the Flying Dutchman
by Brian JaquesPeter and the Starcatchers
by Dave Barry and Ridley PearsonAnne of Green Gables
by Lucy Maud MontgomerySisters of the Lost Marsh
by Lucy StrangeDisclaimer: While each book has been chosen because of its distinct merit and reputation, TCS does not necessarily endorse all the content or themes contained in the summer reading novels; however, we expect students to think critically and biblically about their reading experiences. As always, we encourage parents to remain aware of and familiar with the texts their children are reading. It would also be a great experience for parent(s) and child to read some novels together.
Inspirational
Meant For Everyone:
Case for Grace for Kids
by Lee StrobelDo Hard Things
by Alex & Brett HarrisLiked: Whose Approval are You Living For?
by Kari KampakisPhilanthroparties: A Party-Planning Guide for Kids Who Want to Give Back
by Lulu CeronePower of a Praying Teen
by Stormie OmartianQuiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverted Kids
by Susan Cain7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
by Sean Covey#struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World
by Craig GroeschelTeen's Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World
by Jonathan McKeeVisual Theology
by Tim Challies and Josh ByersMeant For Boys:
A Young Man After God's Own Heart: Turn Your Life into an Extreme Adventure
by Jim GeorgeGod Guy: Becoming the Man You're Meant to Be
by Michael DiMarcoGuy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket: 101 Real-World Tips for Teenage Guys
by Jonathan McKeeMeant For Girls:
A Young Woman After God's Own Heart
by Elizabeth GeorgeGod Girl: Becoming the Woman You're Meant to Be
by Hayley DiMarcoLies Young Women Believe
by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth & Dannah GreshPerfectly Unique: Praising God from Head to Foot
by Annie F. DownsSmart Girl's Guide to God, Guys, and the Galaxy: Save the Drama! and 100 Other Practical Tips for Teens
by Susie Shellenberger and Kristin WeberNon-Fiction
Adoniram Judson: Bound for Burma
by Janet and Geoff BengeBomb: The Race to Build - and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
by Steve SheinkinBones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History's Mysteries
by Elizabeth MacLeodCharles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
by Deborah HeiligmanClaudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
by Phillip Hoose50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet
by Dennis Denenberg & Lorraine RoscoeElizabeth Elliot: Joyful Surrender
by Janet and Geoff BengeGeorge Washington Carver: From Slave to Scientist
by Janet and Geoff BengeGifted Hands
by Ben CarsonGirl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time
by Tanya Lee StoneHand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America
by Andrea & Brian PinkneyHidden Figures (Young Readers' Edition)
by Ann PetryHigher, Steeper, Faster: The Daredevils Who Conquered the Skies
by Lawrence GoldstoneHitler Youth or Kids on Strike!
both by Susan C. BartolettiI Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
(Young Readers Edition) by Malala YousafzaiI Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives
by Caitlin Alifrenka and Martin GandaIf Stones Could Speak: Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge
by Marc AronsonJust Mercy (adjusted for young adults) A True Story of the Fight for Justice
by Bryan StevensonKids of Kabul: Living Bravely through a Never-Ending War
by Deborah EllisPortraits of Hispanic American Heroes
by Juan Felipe HerreraReal Kids, Real Stories, Real Character: Choices that Matter Around the World
by Garth SundemTallchief: America's Prima Ballerina
by Maria Tallchief with Rosemary WellsTrapped!
by Marc AronsonWe Were There Too!: Young People in U.S. History
by Phillip HooseWho Was First?: Discovering the Americas
by Russell Freedman