Book TalkGrade 7

1st Marking Period

Face on the Milk Cartonby Caroline Cooney

The picture of a missing child printed on a milk carton attracts the attention of 15-year-old Jane Johnson.

A glimpse of the girl's polka-dot dress causes memories to surface, and Jane begins to review her past and question her true identity. It is nearly impossible for Jane to perceive her loving parents as kidnappers; the task of gathering evidence and drawing conclusions proves less difficult than confronting the undeniable truth.

6 AR points

Whatever Happened to Janieby Caroline Cooney

Janie asserts her desire to return to her adopted family, and her biological parents love her enough to let her go. There is no clear answer to her dilemma since both love her and have suffered through no fault of their own. Where will she be happy?

8 AR points

Which family needs Janie more and which she will choose?

Freak the Mightyby Rodman Philbrick

Maxwell Kane, a lumbering eighth grader who describes himself as a "butthead goon," has lived with grandparents Grim and Gram ever since his father was imprisoned for murdering his mother. Mean-spirited schoolmates and special ed haven't improved his self-image, so he is totally unprepared for a friendship with Kevin, aka Freak, a veritable genius with a serious birth defect that's left him in braces and using crutches. Max is uplifted by Freak's imagination and booming confidence, while Freak gets a literal boost--hoisted onto Max's shoulders, he shares Max's mobility. Together they become Freak the Mighty, an invincible duo.6 AR points

A wonderful story of triumph over imperfection, shame, and loss!

The Haunted Houseby Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg

A creepy collection of scary stories!

Each story in this spooky collection is set in a different room as a succession of owners encounter otherworldly housemates. In the kitchen, a cursed cook bakes highly unusual biscuits. An invisible puppy cries in the basement. A ghostly electric train runs in the attic. The connecting theme works well, although some readers may wonder why the house changed hands so many times. The short original tales range from chuckles to chillers and are reminiscent of campfire storytelling.

2 AR points

Hidden Talentsby David Lubar

Liars, cheats, and firestarters – great group of friends!

After being expelled from any number of schools, 13-year-old Martin winds up at Edgeview, a publicly funded boarding school and a last-chance alternative. Martin, who narrates, doesn't seem like a delinquent, but he just can't stop himself from taunting his teachers. By the end of his first day he has infuriated the whole staff. Of the kids, Bloodbath is a terror, as are his cronies, but Martin's roommate, "Torchie," is nice enough, although he constantly denies starting the fires that flare up wherever he goes. The other boys Martin gets to know similarly refuse to own up to the particular behavior that landed them at Edgeview.

7 AR points

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Big, bullying jocks, ughhh!

Ever since first grade "Crash" Coogan has been tormenting dweeby Penn Ward, a skinny vegetarian Quaker boy who lives in a tiny former garage with his aged parents. Now that they're in seventh grade, "chippy chirpy perky" Penn becomes an even better target: not only does Penn still wear outdated used clothes, he joins the cheerleading squad. But even though Crash becomes the school's star football player and wears the most expensive togs from the mall, he still can't get what Penn has - his parents' attention and the admiration of the most gorgeous girl in school? Crash no longer sees the fun in playing brutal pranks and begins to realize that there are more important things in life than wearing new sneaks and being a sports star.

5 AR points

Deep, Dark, and Dangerousby Mary Downing Hahn

A ghost story!

Thirteen-year-old Ali is excited to be spending the summer with her Aunt Dulcie, an artist, and her four-year-old cousin, Emma, in the Maine lakeside cottage where her aunt and mother spent their childhood summers. But why is Ali's mother so terrified to let her go? And what is the meaning of Ali's recurring dream in which, while walking along the shore of Sycamore Lake, she meets a young girl who points to three girls in a canoe and admonishes, you must do something about this? Ali soon discovers that Teresa, her mother's and aunt's playmate, had disappeared and was presumed drowned when their grandfather's empty canoe washed up on shore. Who is this strange girl calling herself Sissy who shows up at the cottage and lures Emma into defiant and dangerous behavior. 7 AR points

P.S. Longer Letter Laterby Paula Danziger

(a New Year's Eve kiss happens at 12:08, and "it was sort of gross because the Chee-to in his mouth ended up in my mouth"), EWWWW!

Tara*Starr is as colorful as her name. Her best friend, Elizabeth, who is decidedly more retiring, must start seventh grade without the moral support of her lively, humorous friend who has moved away. The girls try to keep their friendship alive through letters.

6 AR points

Walk Two Moonsby Sharon Creech

Imagine driving for days and days in a car with your grandparents, ughhhh!

Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle's mother has disappeared. While tracing her steps on a car trip from Ohio to Idaho with her grandparents, Salamanca tells a story to pass the time about a friend named Phoebe Winterbottom whose mother vanished and who received secret messages after her disappearance. One of them read, "Don't judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins." Despite her father's warning that she is "fishing in the air," Salamanca hopes to bring her home. By drawing strength from her Native American ancestry, she is able to face the truth about her mother.

10 AR points

City of Emberby Jeanne DuPrau

No natural light, very few lightbulbs left, and no power. Could you survive in complete darkness?

It is always night in the city of Ember. But there is no moon, no stars. The only light during the regular twelve hours of "day" comes from floodlamps that cast a yellowish glow over the streets of the city. Beyond are the pitch-black Unknown Regions, which no one has ever explored because an understanding of fire and electricity has been lost, and with it the idea of a Moveable Light. "Besides," they tell each other, "there is nowhere but here" Among the many other things the people of Ember have forgotten is their past and a direction for their future. For 250 years they have lived pleasantly, because there has been plenty of everything in the vast storerooms. But now there are more and more empty shelves--and more and more times when the lights flicker and go out, leaving them in terrifying blackness for long minutes. What will happen when the generator finally fails?

9 AR points

Joey Pigza Swallowed The Keyby Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza has problems. Big problems. He was emotionally abused by his grandmother. He has never met his dad. He can't get along in his elementary school classroom because of his mood swings and his "dud meds.“ He disrupts the class field trip; he puts his finger in a pencil sharpener and injures himself; he swallows his house key. Then he runs through the classroom holding open sharp scissors. When he trips and falls, seriously injuring a classmate, he is transferred to a special-education program in another school. 5 AR points

Don't be shocked when there is some disturbing details about someone getting hurt because of Joey's actions. The author describes the scene very well and we could not believe our ears.

Rulesby Cynthia Lord

Rule – It is ok to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store!

Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. In an effort to keep life on an even keel, Catherine creates rules for him. Each chapter title is also a rule, and lots more are interspersed throughout the book. When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is anxious about her reaction to David. Then Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic who uses a book of pictures to communicate, she begins to understand that normal is difficult, and perhaps unnecessary, to define.

4 AR points

The Good Dogby Avi

Dogs, nothing but… “tongue-lapping, tail-wagging slaves who take their food from bowls!“

Head dog in Steamboat Springs, McKinley leads a busy life, protecting his family (including his "human pup," Jack) and keeping order among his canine compatriots in the mountain town. While trying to aid a runaway the forlorn greyhound, Duchess, whose owner offers a reward for her return McKinley encounters Lupin, a wolf who hopes to recruit dogs for her dwindling pack.

5 AR points

The Hunger Gamesby Suzanne Collins

Reality TV at its finest!

It’s a postapocalyptic world, where a replacement for the United States demands a tribute from each of its territories: two children to be used as gladiators in a televised fight to the death. Katniss, from what was once Appalachia, offers to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, but after this ultimate sacrifice, she is entirely focused on survival at any cost. It is her teammate, Peeta, who recognizes the importance of holding on to one's humanity in such inhuman circumstances.15 AR points