These are the class novels we will be reading this year. I only regret that there are so many great books and so little time.
6th grade: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo - soon to be a full length movie
Hatchet by Gary Paulson - a great wilderness adventure
Holes by Louis Sachar - true character development
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech - a story within a story
7th grade: Number the Stars by Lois Lowery- World War II through a 11 year old's eyes
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Snyder Keatly- learning about ancient egypt and each other
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Hoot by Environmentally Realistic Fiction
8th grade: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton- Classic favorite greasers vs. socs
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis- conflict good vs. evil
Among the Hidden by Margaret Hadix- futuristic what if?
That was then, This is now by S.E. Hinton- The greasers grow up