Middle School Summer Reading List

Books on the Middle School Summer Reading List for Trumbull students.

Updated June 13, 2024
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Little women /
Alcott, Louisa May,
Audiobook
With humor and pathos, Little Women follows the lives of four young women and their mother as they face the daily struggles of life in the 19th century. First published in 1868, this memorable and touching coming-of-age masterpiece is beloved by generations. Set in Concord, Massachusetts,...
The crossover /
Alexander, Kwame.
Paper Book
Series streaming now on Disney+, with executive producers including NBA great LeBron James! The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning middle grade bestseller! Basketball and heartache share the court in this slam-dunk novel in verse. "With a bolt of lightning on my...
I will always write back :
Alifirenka, Caitlin,
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The true story of an all-American girl, a boy from Zimbabwe, and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. It started as an assignment. Caitlin had never even heard of Zimbabwe when everyone in her class was told to...
Ashes /
Anderson, Laurie Halse.
Paper Book
Return to the American Revolution in this blistering conclusion to the middle grade Seeds of America trilogy. As the Revolutionary War rages on, Isabel and Curzon have narrowly escaped Valley Forge--but their relief is short-lived. Before long they are reported as runaways, and...
The last /
Applegate, Katherine.
Paper Book
In this first book of an epic middle grade series, Katherine Applegate takes us on an unforgettable journey. A New York Times bestseller from the beloved author of the action-packed Animorphs series and the award-winning The One and Only Ivan. Byx is the youngest member of...
Fantastic voyage /
Asimov, Isaac,
Paper Book
A fabulous adventure into the last frontier of man! Attention! This is the last message you will receive until your mission is completed. You have sixty minutes once miniaturization is complete. You must be out of Benes' body before then. If not, you will return to normal size...
The thing about jellyfish /
Benjamin, Ali.
Paper Book
This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant New York Times bestseller and captured widespread critical acclaim, including selection as a 2015 National Book Award finalist! After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is...
The blackbird girls /
Blankman, Anne,
Paper Book
NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD WINNER A SYDNEY TAYLOR MIDDLE GRADE HONOR BOOK Like Ruta Sepetys for middle grade, Anne Blankman pens a poignant and timeless story of friendship that twines together moments in underexplored history. On a spring morning, neighbors...
The secret garden.
Burnett, Frances Hodgson
Paper Book
After losing her parents, young Mary Lennox is sent from India to live in her uncle's gloomy mansion on the wild English moors. She is lonely and has no one to play with, but one day she learns of a secret garden somewhere in the grounds that no one is allowed to enter. Then Mary uncovers an old key...
Summerlost /
Condie, Allyson Braithwaite.
CD
A tender and compelling contemporary novel for young readers about facing loss and finding friendship, from Ally Condie, international bestselling author of the Matched series.Nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the 2017 Edgar Award "Kids are awesome. And they are...
New kid /
Craft, Jerry.
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, and Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature!  Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low...
Raymie nightingale /
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
A 2016 National Book Award Finalist! As featured on The Today Show's Read with Jenna Jr. Book Club Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with a moving, masterful story of an unforgettable summer friendship. Raymie...
Out of my mind /
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller for three years and counting! "A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Unflinching and realistic." --KirkusReviews (starred...
Amelia lost :
Fleming, Candace.
Paper Book
From the acclaimed author of The Great and Only Barnum-as well as The Lincolns, Our Eleanor, and Ben Franklin's Almanac-comes the thrilling story of America's most celebrated flyer, Amelia Earhart. In alternating chapters, Fleming deftly moves readers back and forth...
Old Yeller /
Gipson, Fred,
Paper Book
Set in the rough wilderness of early frontier Texas, "Old Yeller" is a timeless coming-of-age tale. Travis is left to care for the farm when his father leaves on a cattle drive. He copes with many hardships with the help of his big, yellow dog, Old Yeller. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved...
Old Yeller.
Gipson, Fred,
Paper Book
Set in the rough wilderness of early frontier Texas, "Old Yeller" is a timeless coming-of-age tale. Travis is left to care for the farm when his father leaves on a cattle drive. He copes with many hardships with the help of his big, yellow dog, Old Yeller. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved...
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library /
Grabenstein, Chris.
Paper Book
Now a Nickelodeon Original Movie! Over 100 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List 44 State Award Lists!   Discover what James Patterson calls "the coolest library in the world" in this fun-filled, action-packed...
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library /
Grabenstein, Chris.
Paper Book
Now a Nickelodeon Original Movie! Over 100 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List 44 State Award Lists!   Discover what James Patterson calls "the coolest library in the world" in this fun-filled, action-packed...
Ted & me :
Gutman, Dan.
Audiobook
Dan Gutman has won a wide and growing audience among young readers, who have eagerly devoured all the books in the sports-loving author's Baseball Card Adventure series. In Ted & Me, time-traveling Stosh has finally been found out by the FBI. Tasked with using his Ted Williams card to go back to...
Uprising /
Haddix, Margaret Peterson.
Audiobook
The fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City, which claimed the lives of 146 young immigrant workers, is one of the worst disasters since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and the disaster, which brought attention to the labor movement in America, is part of the curriculum...
George's secret key to the universe /
Hawking, Lucy.
Paper Book
In their bestselling book for young readers, noted physicist Stephen Hawking and his daughter, Lucy, provide a grand and funny adventure that explains fascinating information about our universe, including Dr. Hawking's latest ideas about black holes. It's the story of George, who's taken through the...
Turtle in paradise /
Holm, Jennifer L.
Paper Book
In Jennifer L. Holm's New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor winning middle grade historical fiction novel, life isn't like the movies. But then again, 11-year-old Turtle is no Shirley Temple She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all,...
Fish in a tree /
Hunt, Lynda Mullaly.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller . An emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who's ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn't fit in. "Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship...
The contract /
Jeter, Derek,
Paper Book
The debut book in the New York Times bestselling Contract series, The Contract is a middle grade baseball novel inspired by the youth of legendary sports icon and role model Derek Jeter. As a young boy, Derek Jeter dreams of being the shortstop for the New York...
Amina's voice /
Khan, Hena.
Paper Book
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2017 "For inspiring empathy in young readers, you can't get better than this book." --R. J. Palacio, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder "Amina's anxieties are entirely relatable, but it's her sweet...
Stand up, Yumi Chung! /
Kim, Jessica,
Paper Book
One lie snowballs into a full-blown double life in this irresistible story about an aspiring stand-up comedian. On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her "Yu-MEAT" because she smells like her family's Korean barbecue...
The hypnotists /
Korman, Gordon.
Paper Book
The first book in an all-new, mesmerizing adventure from the masterful, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Gordon Korman -- now in paperback!Is it a gift . . . or is it a curse? Jax Opus can use his color-changing eyes to make people do things they don't want to do. (Only his color-blind best...
Pop /
Korman, Gordon.
Ebook
Pop delivers suspense, humor, sports action, and a compelling look at the damage those "pop"s in football can cause Gordon Korman's books appeal to a wide range of kids and adults and can pull in even reluctant readers. Share Pop in your home or classroom; sports fans in particular won't...
Inside out & back again /
Lai, Thanhha.
Paper Book
Inside Out and Back Again is a #1 New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award! Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee--fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama--this coming-of-age debut novel told...
The boy on the wooden box :
Leyson, Leon,
Audiobook
"Much like The Boy In the Striped Pajamas or The Book Thief," this remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler's list, "brings to readers a story of bravery and the fight for a chance to live" (VOYA). This, the...
A snicker of magic /
Lloyd, Natalie.
Ebook
Introducing an extraordinary new voice---a magical debut that will make your skin tingle, your eyes glisten . . .and your heart sing.Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the...
Heat /
Lupica, Mike.
Audiobook
Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the family's escape from Cuba, Michael's only family is his seventeen-year-old brother Carlos. If Social Services...
The secret garden :
Marsden, Mariah,
Paper Book
Green-growing secrets and powerful magic await you at Misselthwaite Manor, now reimagined in this bewitching graphic novel adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved tale. From Mariah Marsden, author of the critically acclaimed Anne of Green Gables: A...
Rain reign /
Martin, Ann M. (Matthews), 1955-
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller! Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She's thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone...
Call of the Klondike :
Meissner, David.
Paper Book
Winner of the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction The remarkable tale of two young men during the Klondike Gold Rush, told through first-hand diaries, letters, and more--"excellent reading" for middle grade fans of The Call of the Wild and adventure stories (School Library...
Anne of Green Gables /
Montgomery, L. M.
Paper Book
Read the timeless classic about the beloved Anne Shirley, a red-haired orphan with a fiery spirit, before watching the NETFLIX series--and don't miss the forward by Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, celebrating the 100th anniversary of this children's favorite! ...
Anne of Green Gables /
Montgomery, L. M.
Paper Book
Read the timeless classic about the beloved Anne Shirley, a red-haired orphan with a fiery spirit, before watching the NETFLIX series--and don't miss the forward by Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, celebrating the 100th anniversary of this children's favorite! ...
Anne of Green Gables /
Montgomery, L. M.
Paper Book
Read the timeless classic about the beloved Anne Shirley, a red-haired orphan with a fiery spirit, before watching the NETFLIX series--and don't miss the forward by Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, celebrating the 100th anniversary of this children's favorite! ...
Kensuke's Kingdom
Morpurgo, Michael.
Paper Book
Kensuke's kingdom /
Morpurgo, Michael.
Paper Book
An American plague :
Murphy, Jim,
Paper Book
Powerful and riveting, this Newbery Honor-winning narrative describes the illness known as yellow fever, the toll it took on the nation's capital--and the eventual triumph over the disease. Long before Covid and the West Nile virus, yellow fever was a medical mystery that forced thousands...
A single shard /
Park, Linda Sue.
Paper Book
The Newbery Medal-winning tale of an orphan boy whose dream of becoming a master potter leads to unforeseen adventure in ancient Korea. Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean village renowned for its ceramics. When he accidentally breaks a delicate piece of pottery, he...
A wolf called Wander /
Parry, Rosanne
Ebook
A New York Times bestseller! "Don't miss this dazzling tour de force."--Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winning author of The One and Only Ivan This gripping novel about survival and family is based on the real story of one wolf's incredible journey to find a safe place to...
Hidden like Anne Frank :
Prins, Marcel,
Paper Book
For readers of The Boy Who Dared and Prisoner B-3087, a collection of unforgettable true stories of children hidden away during World War II.Jaap Sitters was only eight years old when his mother cut the yellow stars off his clothes and sent him, alone, on a fifteen-mile walk to hide...
Black brother, Black brother /
Rhodes, Jewell Parker.
Ebook
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! From award-winning and bestselling author, Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers, one who presents as white, the other as black, and the complex ways in which they are forced to...
Becoming Naomi LeOon /
Ryan, Pam Muonoz.
Paper Book
The highly anticipated new novel from the Pura Belpre and Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author of ESPERANZA RISING. Naomi Soledad Le#65533;n Outlaw has had a lot to contend with in her young life, her name for one. Then there are her clothes (sewn in polyester by Gram), her...
Esperanza rising /
Ryan, Pam Muonoz.
Paper Book
A modern classic for our time and for all time-this beloved, award-winning bestseller resonates with fresh meaning for each new generation. Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Christopher Paul Curtis, and Rita Williams-Garcia. Pura Belpre Award Winner *...
Imprisoned :
Sandler, Martin W.
Paper Book
While Americans fought for freedom and democracy abroad, fear and suspicion towards Japanese Americans swept the country after Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Culling information from extensive, previously unpublished interviews and oral histories with Japanese American survivors of...
Chew on this :
Schlosser, Eric.
Ebook
Kids love fast food. And the fast food industry definitely loves kids. It couldn't survive without them. Did you know that the biggest toy company in the world is McDonald's? It's true. In fact, one out of every three toys given to a child in the United States each year is from a fast food...
Just Like That /
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
In this unforgettable, gently humorous novel, New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt tells two poignant, linked stories: that of a grieving girl and a boy trying to escape his violent past. Meryl Lee Kowalski is sent to a girls' boarding school in fall...
Orbiting Jupiter /
Schmidt, Gary D.
Audiobook
Publishers Weekly Best Book Golden Sower Award (Nebraska) Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award In this riveting novel, two boys discover the true meaning of family and the sacrifices it requires. Two-time Newbery Honor winner...
Bomb :
Sheinkin, Steve.
Paper Book
Perfect for middle grade readers and history enthusiasts, New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War in Bomb: The Race...
Most dangerous :
Sheinkin, Steve.
Paper Book
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War is New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin's award-winning nonfiction account of an ordinary man who wielded the most dangerous weapon: the truth. "Easily the best study of the...
The notorious Benedict Arnold :
Sheinkin, Steve.
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author, Newbery Honor recipient, and National Book Award finalist Steve Sheinkin presents both the heroism and the treachery of one of the Revolutionary War's most infamous players in his biography of Benedict Arnold. Winner of the...
Every thing on it :
Silverstein, Shel
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling Shel Silverstein, celebrated creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, comes an amazing collection of never-before-published poems and drawings. Have you ever read a book with everything on it? Well, here it is! You will say...
Longitude :
Sobel, Dava.
Ebook
The dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest and of one man's forty-year obsession to find a solution to the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day--"the longitude problem."Anyone alive in the eighteenth century would have known that "the longitude problem" was the thorniest...
All thirteen :
Soontornvat, Christina.
Paper Book
Winner of the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Young People's Literature A 2021 Newbery Honor Book A 2021 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book A 2021 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist A 2021 Orbis Pictus Honor Book A unique account...
Into the killing seas /
Spradlin, Michael P.
Paper Book
When the ship goes down, the sharks come out....Stranded in the war torn Pacific, Patrick and his younger brother Teddy are finally homeward-bound. They've stowed away on one of the US Navy's finest ships, and now they just need to stay hidden. But Japanese torpedoes rip their dream apart.And the...
Almost astronauts :
Stone, Tanya Lee.
Paper Book
They had the right stuff. They defied the prejudices of the time. And they blazed a trail for generations of women to follow. What does it take to be an astronaut? Excellence at flying, courage, intelligence, resistance to stress, top physical shape -- any checklist would include...
The hobbit, or, There and back again /
Tolkien, J. R. R.
Paper Book
This beautiful gift edition of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy, features cover art, illustrations, and watercolor paintings by the artist Alan Lee.  Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life,...
The hobbit, or, there and back again /
Tolkien, J. R. R.
Paper Book
This beautiful gift edition of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy, features cover art, illustrations, and watercolor paintings by the artist Alan Lee.  Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life,...
Brown girl dreaming /
Woodson, Jacqueline.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Winner Jacqueline Woodson, the acclaimed author of Red at the Bone, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.   Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt...

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