Summer Reading List for Middle Graders
As another year of school wraps, we at Travels with Gannon & Wyatt have put together an exciting summer reading list for middle graders. The beauty of long summer days is that they give us plenty of time to play outside, hang out with family and friends, and read! So grab a book, fire up your imaginations and embark on an epic adventure! Happy reading everyone!
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Imagine walking two hours each way in a country ravaged by war to collect water for your family. Told from the perspective of two 11-year olds in Sudan, this is one of the most moving books we have read in a long time. Based on a true story, we highly recommend this short novel to all young readers.
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
A heartwarming and tragic tale of young boy and a mischievous stray named Old Yeller. As faithful and brave as a dog can be, Old Yeller helps young Travis navigate the dangers of the Texas frontier. A Newbery Honor book and a classic, Old Yeller should be on every youngster's reading list.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Ever dream of setting off into nature and living off the land? Another Newbery Honor book, My Side of the Mountain tells the tale of young Sam Gibley. Fed up with life in New York City, Sam sets off to live in the deep woods of the Catskill Mountains and journals about his experience.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
The story of 12-year old Artemis, super-genius and criminal mastermind, is just good fun. The first book in this series opens in sweltering Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with a moody Artemis and his heavily armed butler on a mission to restore his family's fortune.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
If you're looking for a good laugh, book #4 in the series is a hilarious summer read. In Dog Days, young Greg, a boy who prefers the indoors, is forced outdoors to participate in a number of summer activities that inspire "family togetherness."
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Another humorous tale about a boy who relocates with his family from Montana to South Florida, this book is really about the price of development in paradise. Hoot includes an amusing cast of characters, including a renegade eco-warrior, a school bully and a bumbling police officer. It also makes readers think about the damage we often inflict on nature in the name of "progress."
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
For those young readers (and adults) who appreciate a masterful work of literature, there may be no better choice. Set in the harsh backwoods of Florida, a landscape teaming with hungry wolves, bears and alligators, The Yearling tells the high-stakes tale of young boy and his adopted fawn. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, The Yearling has been hailed as a great work of American literature. [ideal for slightly older readers, ages 12+]We look forward to seeing some of you on our school tour next year! We hope you enjoy our summer reading list for middle graders. Remember, the more you read, the more you know, and the brighter your future!