Windham Middle School
Summer Reading
Grade 8
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park Lexile 720
When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven year old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz RyanLexile 750
For the first 12 years of her life, Esperanza Ortega is pampered by servants and sheltered by her doting parents on their ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico. But a sudden tragedy shatters that world of wealth and privilege. Homeless and destitute, she and her mother emigrate to California to work in the fields and start a new life.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. TolkienLexile 1000
Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers. This stirring adventure fantasy begins the tale of the hobbits that was continued by J.R.R. Tolkien in his bestselling epic The Lord of the Rings.
I am Malala Lexile 1000 (Young Reader's Edition, 830 Lexile)
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.
Thisis the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.
Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman Lexile 710
One by one, a number of people of varying ages and backgrounds transform a trash filled inner city lot into a productive and beautiful garden and they themselves are also transformed.
Number the Stars Lexile 670
It's 1943 Copenhagen and the Jews of Denmark are being "relocated," so Annemarie Johansen's best friend, Ellen, moves in with the Johansen'sand pretends to be part of the family. When Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission, she must find the courage to save her friend's life.
Summer 2017