California Recommended Literature List Grades 6 – 8 The following titles have been drawn from California’s recommended literature lists. There are 13 lists of reading materials for each span of grade levels (K – 2, 3 – 5, and 6 – 8) which correspond to the achievement level of each student as measured on the California Standards Test. Each list is made up of a collection of titles that are slightly more difficult to read than the titles on the list before it. List #1 contains the most easy-to-read titles, while list #13+ is made up of the most difficult or sophisticated titles. The list numbers do NOT correspond to grade levels. The first section of this list includes books designated as NP. The NP (non-prose) designation is indicated rather than a list number if the book includes nonstandard prose. These are books of pictures, poems, plays, and songs, or books with incorrect or no punctuation. The NP books are included on all lists 1 through 13+, regardless of reading ability level. Books are listed as Fiction or Non-Fiction, and specific genres are noted when applicable. Autobiography Biography Drama Essay Mystery Mythology Narrative Non-Fiction Poetry Fiction in Verse Folklore Historical Fiction Humor Realistic Fiction Science Fiction Short Story Tall Tale When are strong cross-curricular connections, these are also noted as follows: ELA (English Language Arts)/Vocabulary ELA/Literary Elements ELA/Writing H-SS (History-Social Science) Science PE (Physical Education VPA (Visual and Performing Arts) trial
Kit to join him in playing a game called "Death." As Kit's grandfather tells stories of the mine's past and family history, the boys search the mines to find the childhood ghosts of their long-gone ancestors. Skellig David Almond Michael is upset by his baby sister's illness and a recent move. In a shed he finds a mysterious stranger named Skellig. Together with his new neighbor Mina, he nurses the ailing bird-like man back to health. Sharing this selection will invite discussion about the identity of Skellig and will work well in a literature circle format. Fantasy Soldier Mom Mead Jasmyn, eleven years old, gets a different perspective about life when her mother is sent to Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the Persian Gulf War, leaving Jasmyn and her baby half-brother behind in Maine in the care of her mother's boyfriend. This selection may be useful as a connection to the eighth-grade history/social science curriculum, war, and world affairs. Realistic Fiction, H-SS List #5 – Grades 6 – 8 Includes all books on the NP List and: Author Summary Fiction Non-Fiction Cross Curricular Connections Amelia’s War Ann Rinaldi Amelia learns the values of loyalty, love, and friendship during the violence and hardships of the Civil War. This book is useful for studying the effects of setting on character and for making curriculum connections to eighth-grade history/social science. Historical Fiction; H-SS, ELA/Literary Elements Blackwater Eve Bunting A teenager wavers between staying silent and confessing his responsibility for a that results in two deaths. Brodie's rescue attempts make the teenager an instant local hero before he has a chance to set the record straight. The delay makes telling the truth harder to contemplate. BLACKWATER may be used as a companion book to ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer. California author. Realistic Fiction Borrowed Children George Ella Lyon Amanda is forced to be mother, housekeeper, and cook when her Mama almost dies after the birth of young Willie. Life is tough in Goose Rock, Kentucky, and Amanda longs to escape the oppression that holds her down. When she gets a chance to go to Memphis to visit relatives, Amanda grows to understand and appreciate her background and her life. This selection depicts emotional intensity. Realistic Fiction down
Master Puppeteer, The Katherine Paterson Set in feudal Japan, this novel centers on thirteen-year-old Jiro, a young apprentice puppeteer, and his efforts to survive amid the hunger, poverty, and evil that prevail in the city of Osaka. This selection has excellent connections to the social studies curriculum regarding early civilizations. Drama, H-SS Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, The Howard Pyle (editor) In this well-known tale, Robin Hood and his followers have many adventures outwitting the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham. Legend, H-SS My Side of the Mountain + Jean Craighead George Sam Gribley does what many young people dream of doing—he builds a treehouse in the Catskill Mountains, where he lives alone for a year. The story features his struggle for survival and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship. Realistic Fiction, Science Title Author Summary Fiction Non-Fiction Cross Curricular Connections Nowhere to Call Home Cynthia DeFelice Frances, a former rich girl, finds her life uprooted when her father commits suicide after his business goes bankrupt during the Great Depression. Instead of moving in with a stern aunt, Frances disguises herself as a boy and lives as a hobo, hopping trains and working for food. This novel depicts the stark conditions of the era and contains emotional intensity. Historical Fiction, H-SS Other Side: Shorter Poems, The Angela Johnson Telling her story in first-person narrative, the author revisits growing up in her childhood town of Shorter, Alabama. Thirty-three poems capture her reflections, insights, and attitudes. The selection includes photographs of the author as a child. Autobiography, Poetry Owl’s Song, The Janet C. Hale A young Indian boy struggles to survive in a world that is determined to erase his identity. Billy White Hawk finds happiness in his artistic creations, but tensions and anger lead to an explosion with unexpected results. Realistic Fiction Painters of the Caves Patricia Lauber H-SS
Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion Russell Freedman Babe Zaharias, one of the greatest women athletes in the world, was skilled in basketball, track and field events, golf, tennis, diving, and bowling. This volume, rich with black-and-white photographs, depicts her life and the many contributions she made toward creating a place for women in the world of competitive sports. Biography, PE Title Author Summary Fiction Non-Fiction Cross Curricular Connections Bard of Avon: The of William Shakespeare Diane Stanley Information about Shakespeare’s personal life as well as his career as an actor and playwright. The book, which features Stanley's full-page paintings of the period, includes a postscript with interesting facts about the development of the English language. Biography, H-SS, ELA/Vocabulary Black Horses for the King Anne McCaffrey The search for great horses to carry the noble knights from Lord Arthur's realm are the reason that stableboy Galwyn finds himself on a dangerous sea journey to Septimania. Galwyn's talents and skills with horses grow Historical Fiction, H-SS
When Plague Strikes: The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS James Cross Giblin This excellent resource book examines the major epidemics that civilizations have had to battle through time. It highlights the social, political, cultural, and religious impacts of three plagues. This exceptional resource is useful in studies of diseases, science, medicine, and cures. H-SS, Science Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference Joyce Hansen Black-and-white photographs illustrate 12 short biographies of African American women, including actress Ruby Dee, writer Alice Walker, neurosurgeon Alexa Canady, astronaut Mae C. Jemison, activist Fannie Lou Hamer, and teacher Miss Seppie (Septima Poinsette Clark). They have made history with their remarkable contributions. A bibliography is included. Biography, H-SS You Come Too Robert Frost This collection of the of poet laureate Robert Frost has special appeal to young and old readers alike. Poetry Black, and Determined: A Biography of Lorraine Hansberry Fredrick and Patricia C. McKissack From an early age Lorraine Hansberry was aware of the tensions of racism that divided American society. This book covers Hansberry's life from her childhood in Chicago to her death in New York at age thirty-four. A bibliography, timeline, index, and black-and-white photographs are included Biography List #12 – Grades 6 – 8 Includes all books on the NP List and: Author Summary Fiction Non-Fiction Cross Curricular Connections Abe Lincoln Grows Up Carl Sandburg This adaptation of ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THE PRAIRIE deals with Lincoln's early years up to age nineteen when he leaves home for New Salem, Illinois. A connection can be made to the eighth-grade history/social science curriculum. Biography, H-SS Gladiator Richard Watkins The lives of reluctant warriors during the Greek and Roman era are explored in this fascinating book about ancient practices and customs. Connections to world history and even the modern-day practice of sporting competitions can be drawn. The book provides an excellent resource for seventh-grade studies of the ancient Greek and Roman age. H-SS Incident at Hawk’s Hill Allan W. Eckert Growing up in the Dakota territories offers Ben MacDonald many opportunities to study and imitate the animals around him. When he runs Realistic Fiction, H-SS