FMS Summer Reading

Recommended Summer Reading List 2007

Travel Team-M. Lupica
After he is cut from his travel basketball team, the very same team that his father once led to national prominence, 12-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs that might have a shot at victory.

Surviving the Applewhites- S. Tolan
Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family’s Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had.

Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day- G. Paulsen
When a supremely organized seventh-grader, Molly, loses the notebook she relies on to keep her life in order she spends the day in chaos. Also read any of Gary Paulsen’s fiction books and autobiographical accounts.

London, 1850- S. Rook
When Jack sees a ship arrive in port with only a flock of bats and one stowaway on board, he finds himself fighting a strange plague. Book One of the Vampire Plagues: Book Two - Paris 1850 and Book Three - Mexico 1850.

Heartbeat- S. Creech
Twelve-year-old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life the year that her mother becomes pregnant, her grandfather begins faltering, and her best friend (and running partner) becomes distant.  Also by Creech: Walk Two Moons, The Wanderer, Bloomability, Love That Dog.

Kira-Kira- C. Kadohata  *Newbery Winner*
Chronicles the close friendship between two Japanese-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia during the late-1950’s and 1960’s, and the despair felt when one sister becomes terminally ill.

Willow Run- P. Reilly Giff
During WWII, after moving with her parents to Willow Run, Michigan, when her father gets a job in the B-24 bomber-building factory, 11-year-old Meggie learns about different kinds of bravery from all of the people around her. Also by Giff: Lily’s Crossing, Nory Ryan’s Song, Maggie’s Door, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Replay.

Eyes of the Emperor- G. Salisbury 
Following orders from the United States Army, several young Japanese American men train k-9 units to hunt Asians during World War II.  Also by G. Salisbury: Under the Blood Red Sun.

Among the Enemy- M.P. Haddix
In a society that allows families to have only two children, third child Matthias, joins the Population Police to infiltrate their system.  Shadow Children series;

Double Identity- M.P. Haddix
When 13-year-old Bethany’s overprotective parents suddenly drop out of sight with no explanation, leaving her with an aunt she never knew existed, Bethany uncovers shocking secrets that make her question everything about herself and her family.

Dark Hills Divide- P. Carman    
When she finds the key to a secret passageway leading out of the walled city of Bridewell, 12-year-old Alexa realizes her lifelong wish to explore the mysterious forests and mountains that lie beyond the wall.

Al Capone Does My Shirts- J. Choldenko
A 12-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards’ families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Project Mulberry- L.S. Park
While working on a project for an after-school club, Julia, a Korean-American girl, and her friend Patrick learn not just about silkworms, but also about tolerance, prejudice, friendship, patience, and more.  Between the chapters are short dialogues between the author and her main character about the writing of the book.

Last Shot A Final Four Mystery- John Feinstein
After winning a basketball reporting contest, eighth graders Stevie and Susan Carol are sent to cover the Final Four tournament, where they discover that a talented player is being blackmailed into throwing the final game.

Criss Cross- L. R. Perkins *Newberry Winner*
Teenagers in a small town in the 1960’s experience new thoughts and feelings, question their identities, connect and disconnect as they search for the meaning of life and love.

Rivers of Zadaa- D. J. MacHale
Taking advantage of a severe drought and the distrust between two tribes, the evil Saint Dane attempts to take over Zadaa, opposed by the teenaged Pendragon and other Travelers.  Pendragon#6