Middle School Summer Reading Ideas 2016
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” -George R. R. Martin. It’s time for summer reading again! Included in this list are adventures, mysteries, graphic novels, sci-fi, and more. We hope that at least one of the books on this list will offer you something fun, something engaging, and possibly something challenging to read during the summer holidays. We hope you will discover new worlds and new possibilities. All the books are available in the Towers Library, but try your local public library too for their suggestions. Have a wonderful summer ... and READ; it’s such a great way to relax and discover!
In a world that lies between reality and imagination, a “fanciful, action-packed adventure” awaits (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Come and claim it in this first book of the Five Kingdoms series, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series. Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little better). But when a spooky haunted house turns out to be a portal to something much creepier, Cole finds himself on an adventure on a whole different level. After Cole sees his friends whisked away to some mysterious place underneath the haunted house, he dives in after them—and ends up in The Outskirts.
Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Peppered throughout are useful and amusing vocabulary words as well as wisecracking yet sage life lessons from a beloved librarian. Authentic characters and amusing situations abound, making this story one that will be welcomed by readers of all levels. VERDICT Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike.—Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH --Carol Connor (Reviewed 03/01/2016) (School Library Journal, vol 62, issue 3, p143)
Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the Cirque Du Freak, a wonderfully gothic freak show featuring weird, frightening half human/half animals who interact terrifyingly with the audience. In the midst of the excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognizes that one of the performers— Mr. Crepsley— is a vampire!
They were six normal teenagers linked only by their wealthy parents' annual business meeting until a chance discovery revealed that their parents are the secret criminal society known as the Pride! This group controlled all criminal activity in Los Angeles, ruling the city with an iron fist. and now, with their true natures exposed, they will take any measures necessary to protect their organization! Now on the run from their villainous parents, Nico, Chase, Karolina, Gertrude, Molly and Alex have only each other to rely on.
Twelve-year-old Jackson Opus knows that he is a little different and that people sometimes act odd around him. But when his New York City bus driver suddenly starts driving like a madman and his psychiatrist tries to jump out the window, Jax thinks it's more than a little strange. Turns out, Jax is a hypnotist, a person capable of capturing others' minds and bending them to suggestions. It's not an easy power to master. Fortunately, Jax is taken under the wing of Dr. Elias Mako of the Sentia Institute, where he, along with others with similar powers, learns how to control his ability. But with great power comes great responsibility, and his gift makes him a ripe target for those who want to use him to "bend" others. Can Jax determine who is friend and who is foe in a world in which his own mind can be used against him. (Scholastic).—Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library -Stephanie Whelan (Reviewed September 1, 2013) (School Library Journal, vol 59, issue 9, p145)
Sixth grader Nate is having quite a day – nothing is going his way. He starts the day off in a panic, worrying about a test he did not prepare for, he is served lumpy oatmeal for breakfast, and he has a run-in with his annoying older sister. Things continue to get worse, as he collects detention slips from each teacher for one reason or another. The only redeeming thing about this day is the fortune in his fortune cookie, “Today you will surpass all others.” Nate goes about this day gone wrong, desperate to discover exactly how he will surpass all others, while trying to survive a day in the life of a middle-schooler.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a child soldier at age five, Chikwanine tells his painful yet ultimately uplifting story with help from coauthor Humphreys and artist Dávila. Though there was unrest in his country, Michel lived a happy, carefree existence with his parents and sisters-until one day after school he was abducted by soldiers. He lived in a state of terror and exhaustion while he underwent training, until he was able to escape and return to his family. VERDICT An enlightening, accessible, and, above all, child-friendly introduction to the issue.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal © Copyright 2015.
Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by a man he's never met--a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die...
Steve just wants to save his baby brother— but what will he lose in the bargain? For some kids summer is a sun-soaked
season of fun. But for Steve, it’s just another season of worries. Worries about his sick newborn baby brother who is fighting to survive. For some kids summer is a sun-soaked season of fun. But for Steve, it’s just another season of worries. Worries about his sick newborn baby brother who is fighting to survive, worries about his parents who are struggling to cope, even worries about the wasp’s nest looming ominously from the eaves. So when a mysterious wasp queen invades his dreams, offering to “fix” the baby, Steve thinks his prayers have been answered. All he has to do is say “Yes.” But “yes” is a powerful word. It is also a dangerous one. And once it is uttered, can it be taken back?
Ben has a problem. When he sleeps he dreams, and when he dreams, they're all nightmares! But he can also jump into other people's dreams. So when his friends start falling victim to an evil dream-monster that prevents them from waking, Ben knows he has to help them. Easier said than done when dreams can shift and the monster knows his way around the ever-changing landscape of the mind! With help from a talking rabbit-companion who has a mysterious past, Ben might just be able to defeat the monster and save his friends . . . if he can figure out how to use the power within him against his enemies.
Quiet but bright Portia has just moved to a new neighborhood with her mom. Adjusting to life without a father is hard enough, but school is boring and her classmates are standoffish -- and even Portia's mom is sort of distant. But things start to get better when Portia mounts a midnight excursion into the woods behind her house where she discovers a shy and sweet purple monster. Life with Jellaby is exciting, but Portia's purple friend has secrets of his own...
Tory is a Canadian writer and artist based in Toronto. Her graphic novel Mirror Mind recounts her experiences growing up with dyslexia. She is now a graduate from the University of Toronto with an Honors BA in archeology and Near Eastern studies, and is working on her next book. Tory has since become an advocate for dyslexia awareness, and she has appeared on CBC Radio's Metro Morning, Ontario Morning, and Canada AM, alongside a feature story by the Toronto Star. She has spoken at several events including Word on the Street and Right to Read, as well as at the University of Toronto and a variety of public schools around the city.
Book 7 is the latest release in the popular fantasy series “The Unwanteds.” If you love Harry Potter or Hunger Games, this series is something you should look into! Head mage Alexander Stowe and his friends successfully fended off the latest threat to their magical world of Artimâe with the help of a surprise ally. But old enemies have secretly been plotting against them. Now Alex must lead his people in a final epic battle, one they can't hope to win alone.
This WWII story traces the unlikely friendship between a country girl and a shell-shocked veteran. Most people in Wolf Hollow , Pa., don't know what to make of Toby and his habit of circling the hills with "three long guns slung across his back." But he has always been kind to Annabelle, now 12, and he comes to her rescue when a bully torments her. After Toby is accused of a crime he didn't commit, Annabelle knows she has to take action, but her attempt to hide him from authorities spurs a chain of events that could lead to disaster. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Apr.) --Staff (Reviewed 03/14/2016) (Publishers Weekly, vol 263, issue 11, p)
Last year, Wyatt Palmer was the hero of middle school, having foiled a plot against the president of the United States. But now he and his friends are in Coral Cove High School-home of the Fighting Conchs-and Wyatt is no longer a hero: He's just another undersized freshman, hoping to fit in, or at least not be unpopular. Things start to go wrong when Matt Diaz, who is Wyatt's best friend but also unfortunately an idiot, decides to bring his pet ferret, Frank, to school. Through an unfortunate series of events Frank ends up in the hands of the Bevin brothers, who are the most popular boys at Coral Cove High, but are also, as Matt soon discovers, the nastiest. When Wyatt and Matt try to get Frank back, they concoct a plan to attend a party for the cool clique at the Bevin's waterfront mansion and stumble onto the Bevin family's dark and deadly secret. That's when Wyatt learns that some things are worse than being unpopular in high school. MUCH worse. How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favor. But Apollo has many enemies-gods, monsters, and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go . . . an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp HalfBlood.
(First of seven book in series) Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot—and two ordinary children on a mission. After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals. Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.
Part of the “I Survived” series by Lauren Tarshis. A story based on the shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916. Chet Roscoe, 10, moves in with his uncle while his father looks for work in California. He works in his uncle's diner and meets some local boys with whom he becomes friends. A story hits the papers about a shark attack about 10 miles away and their little town dismisses it as a fake, but a local fisherman begs to differ. The boys play a series of pranks on one another, but when Chet comes face to face with the shark in the river, the friends refuse to believe him, until they see it themselves. Each book in this fast-paced, exciting historical fiction series tells the story of a young person living during a dangerous time period.
Following a series of murders, an apothecary’s apprentice must solve puzzles and decipher codes in pursuit of a secret that could destroy the world in this “spectacular debut” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). “Tell no one what I’ve given you.” Until he got that cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way. But when a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.
"Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined together with Shin Hayata of the Science Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters called Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows, a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero--a new kind of Ultraman... Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor" to him and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again.”—Back cover
It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger. "Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract." A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. To tell more would rob the reader of the enjoyment of Miss L'Engle's unusual book. A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem. Twelve-year-old genius Artemis Fowl decides to reinvigorate his family fortunes by kidnapping a fairy and demanding its gold. Having obtained and decoded the Book, a tome containing all of the fairies' secrets, Artemis captures an elf named Holly Short and holds her captive at his family mansion in Ireland. However, he hasn't reckoned on the resources and cunning of the LEPrecon Unit, an elite branch of the fairy police force, whose members will stop at nothing to rescue Captain Short. It seems that the wicked ways of the Mud People (humans) have driven most of the magical creatures underground, where a gritty, urban fairy civilization is flourishing. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories; these fairies are armed and dangerous. Artemis thinks he has them right where he wants them but then they stop playing by the rules.
T-- lives in a precarious world with very few friends, abused by a trio of bullies he calls Joined at the Hip, and his main refuge is the camera which he uses to capture the unique way he sees the world--but when he photographs the boys attacking a homeless woman the images could lead to even more trouble, especially when the bullies threaten to hurt his only friend, Sean, if he tries to use the pictures against them.
Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: "You have a choice one million dollars or a clue." Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 Clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents. This is the first installment of 11 action packed books, written by popular authors including Gordon Korman,
CHERUB agents are highly trained, extremely talented--and all under the age of seventeen. For official purposes, these agents do not exist. They are sent out on missions to spy on terrorists, hack into crucial documents, and gather intel on global threats--all without gadgets or weapons. It is an exceptionally dangerous job, but these agents have one crucial advantage: adults never suspect that teens are spying on them. James is the latest CHERUB recruit. He's a bit of a troublemaker, but he's also brilliant. And CHERUB needs him. James has no idea what to expect, but he's out of options. Before he can start in the field he must first survive one hundred grueling days of basic training, where even the toughest recruits don't make it to the end....
Winner Iof the Joe Shuster Comics for Kids Award. As an acrobat in a traveling circus, 14-yearold orphan Dessa Redd flies through the air with ease. Still, she is weighed down by troubling memories. But when her ragtag circus troupe pulls into the city of Kingsbridge, Dessa feels a tickle of hope. Maybe here in the royal city she will finally find her twin brother --- or the mysterious man who snatched him away when they were just children. Meanwhile, Topper, the circus juggler, recruits Dessa and the circus strongman, Fisk, for the job of robbing the royal treasury. Hungry and desperate, both agree, setting off a series of adventures that will take the three thieves from one end of the world to the other in search of Dessa's long-lost brother.
Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild. At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox. Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .
A cat sneaks into a small Palestinian house on the West Bank that has been commandeered by two Israeli soldiers. The house seems empty, until the cat realizes that a little boy is hiding beneath the floorboards. Should she help him? After all, she’s just a cat. Or is she? She was once a regular North American girl, but that was before she died and came back to life as a cat. When the little boy is discovered, the soldiers don’t know what to do with him. It is not long before his teacher and classmates come looking for him, and the house is suddenly surrounded by Palestinian villagers throwing rocks, and the sound of Israeli tanks approaching. As the soldiers begin to panic and disaster seems certain, the cat knows that it is up to her to diffuse the situation. But what can a cat do? What can any one creature do? Nominated for the Red Maple Award!
Cameron and his mom have been on the run for five years. His father is hunting them. At least, that’s what Cameron has been told. When they settle in an isolated farmhouse, Cameron starts to see and hear things that aren’t possible. Soon he’s questioning everything he thought he knew – including his own sanity. What’s hiding in the night? Buried in the past? Cameron must uncover the dark secrets before they tear him apart. Nominated for the Red Maple Award!
One is a fifteen—year—old boy with an uncanny ability to recite every bone in the skeletal system whenever he gets anxious — and that happens a lot. The meaning of "appropriate behaviour" mystifies him: he doesn't understand most people and they certainly don't understand him. The other is a graduating senior with the world at her feet. Joining the Best Buddies club at her school and pairing up with a boy with Aspergers/autism is the perfect addition to her med school applications. Plus, the president of the club is a rather attractive, if mysterious, added bonus. Told in the alternating voices of Harrison and Anna, Fragile Bones is the story of two teens whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. . Nominated for the Red Maple Award!
Set in both the wilds and slums of Kenya, a powerful story about a brother and sister's brave journey to find a place to call home. 13-year-old Muchoki and his younger sister, Jata, can barely recognize what's become of their lives. Only weeks ago they lived in a bustling Kenyan village, going to school, playing soccer with friends, and helping at their parents' store. But sudden political violence has killed their father and destroyed their home. Now, Muchoki, Jata, and their ailing mother live in a tent in an overcrowded refugee camp. By day, they try to fend off hunger and boredom. By night, their fears about the future are harder to keep at bay. Driven by both hope and desperation, Muchoki and Jata set off on what seems like an impossible journey: to walk hundreds of kilometers to find their last remaining family.
2015 Governor General's Literary Award Winner!! Caroline Pignat's new historical novel recreates the world of a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858. Through the different points of view of slaves, their masters and a visiting bird-watcher the world of the plantation comes to life in this verse novel. Phoebe belongs to Master Duncan and works in the plantation kitchen. She sees how the other slaves are treated -- the beatings and whippings, the disappearances. She hasn't seen her mother since Master Duncan sold her ten years ago. The stories about life in Canada can't be true, can they? How does a man survive without the master there taking care of everything?
Web comics: Internet connection required.
by Ryan North - Canadian Author!
This comic uses the same 6 panel layout but the dialogue changes every time!
http://www.qwantz.com/archive.php
http://www.awkwardzombie.com/
by Charles Christopher - Canadian author! Karl Kerschl is a Canadian comic book artist who's drawn Superman, Flash, and Teen Titans. He also won an Eisner Award for his strip about the Bigfoot-esque Charles Christopher, a mute fur-covered man-creature who lives in a forest of talking animals.
Four or five times a month, Awkward Zombie presents a gag strip that typically focuses on some aspect of gaming's past or present, be it a joke about Super Smash Bros. 4, Zelda, or Red Dead Redemption. Cartoonist Katie Tiedrich also occasionally sneaks in a penciled 24-hour comic created on the fly as well. Charles has a lot of adventures, whether he wants them or not, as do all the animals; there are several storylines running concurrently in the strip, so it's possible to go weeks without seeing your favorite plot. Except they'll all be favorites, for Kerschl's art is stunning, no matter what creature he is drawing. He updates it infrequently, so take the time to go back to the beginning in 2007 and read them all
http://abominable.cc/
By Tom Sidell http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/
The comic tells the story of Antimony Carver, a young girl who has just started attending a strange and mysterious boarding school called Gunnerkrigg Court. The school has a strong focus on the sciences–a need to explain things–but also a tacit acknowledgement that science may be unable to explain everything. There’s a certain air of magic about the place, which Antimony uncovers by coming face to face with the supernatural and the mythological as she and her friend Kat stumble about the enigmatic world of the Court.
