MS School Supplies and Summer Reading

Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper

Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She can’t write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it.

 

Stormbreaker (Alex Rider) by Anthony Horowitz

They said his uncle Ian died in a car accident. But Alex Rider knows that’s a lie, and the bullet holes in the windshield prove it. Yet he never suspected the truth: his uncle was really a spy for Britain’s top secret intelligence agency. And now Alex has been recruited to find his uncle’s killers . . .

 

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

Ready to time travel through a great story?

Choose one of the historical fiction novels below and dive into a different time and place!

You'll complete a creative assignment on your chosen book when we’re back at school, so make sure to finish reading it before then. Happy reading, and enjoy the adventure!

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A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

When the Berlin Wall suddenly splits her family apart, Gerta has to make an impossible choice—stay safe or risk everything to be together again. This gripping story is full of danger, courage, and a girl's determination to fight for freedom.

 

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Bud Caldwell may be small, but he’s got a big plan—find the man he believes is his father. Set during the Great Depression, Bud’s journey is filled with laughs, hard times, and lots of heart. Get ready to cheer him on every step of the way.

 

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Philadelphia is in chaos as a deadly fever spreads across the city. Mattie, a teenage girl, must grow up fast to survive. This exciting and emotional read shows what it takes to be brave in the face of fear.

 

Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen

In 1912, a brave girl boards the Titanic with a secret mission. As she races to uncover the truth, she must survive one of the most famous disasters in history. A mix of mystery, danger, and history, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Imagine being a teenager helping crack secret codes during World War II! That’s what this story is all about—spies, puzzles, and bravery. It’s a thrilling dive into real-life history with clever twists and big stakes.

 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

When Bruno moves near a mysterious fence, he meets a boy on the other side—someone who changes his life forever. This powerful story, told through a child’s eyes, shows the heartbreaking impact of hate and the strength of friendship in even the darkest times.

This summer, it’s all about real stories and real people!

Your 8th-grade summer reading challenge is to pick a biography, autobiography, or memoir about someone who inspires you, fascinates you, or just makes you curious. Athletes, artists, activists, inventors—you get to choose!

When we’re back in the fall, you’ll show what you learned through a fun choice board of assignments—so make sure to finish your book over the summer. Get ready to be inspired by someone amazing!