Digital Learning Commons: Find A Book: Grade 8

8th Grade Summer Reading Recs

New Kid by Jerry Craft
After his parents send him to a prestigious private school known for its academics, Jordan Banks finds himself torn between two worlds.
The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
Uses text and illustrations to tell the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor who spoke out against the Nazi regime.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally's greatest fear is that everyone will find out she is as dumb as they think she is because she still doesn't know how to read. Available as ebook and audiobook.
March Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Presents in graphic novel format the life of Georgia congressman John Lewis, focusing on his youth in rural Alabama, his meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., and the birth of the Nashville Student Movement.
Legend by Marie Lu
In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy. Available as ebook and audiobook.
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
In a small Texas town where high school football reigns supreme, Viv, sixteen, starts a feminist revolution using anonymously-written zines. Available as ebook and audiobook.
Sunrise over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers
Robin Perry, from Harlem, is sent to Iraq in 2003 as a member of the Civilian Affairs Battalion, and his time there profoundly changes him.
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
Twelve-year-old Sunny Nwazue, an American-born albino child of Nigerian parents, moves with her family back to Nigeria, where she learns that she has latent magical powers which she and three similarly gifted friends use to catch a serial killer. Available as ebook and audiobook.
A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
In India, a girl who excels at Bharatanatyam dance refuses to give up after losing a leg in an accident.
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai's describes her fight for education for girls under Taliban rule, the support she received from her parents to pursue an education, and how the Taliban retaliated against her by trying to kill her. Available as ebook and audiobook.

Grade 8 Summer Reading
Summer reading recommendations for rising eighth graders.

Summer Reading Overview

This is list of recommended summer reading for rising eighth graders. All the books on this list are available on Sora.

One of the first activities students will do in their sixth grade language arts class will be related to summer reading (maybe write a letter about what they read or design their own book cover). Typically, students are asked to read two books from their grade list. Due to the current challenges in obtaining print books, students are welcome to read any books they like over summer and be prepared to share what they read in September.

This book list has been shared with South Portland Public Library and at Nonesuch Books in Mill Creek.

8th Grade Summer Reading Recs

Summer Reading Overview

Book Talks with Mx. Gartley

Selected Book Trailers & Author Videos

Sora

South Portland Public Library