Reading List - Grade Eight Introduction | Guidelines | Reading List Subjects Back to Learning Expectations Home Page    Dear Brookline families: Brookline is a community which values and promotes lifelong literacy. The town’s schools, libraries, and bookstores are places to discover new and familiar titles, to share understandings, and to grow as readers. We are pleased to introduce the most recent edition of the Brookline Public Schools Reading List K-8. The suggested titles represent our recommendations of quality titles to involve children in thoughtful and enjoyable year round reading. We appreciate the work of the following members of the Brookline Public Schools Reading List Committee who researched titles and made final selections: Barbara Scotto, 6th grade teacher, Driscoll School Rosalind von Au, Librarian, Driscoll School, Sheri Hesch, Children’s Librarian, Brookline Public Library, Liz Mellett, Young Adult Librarian, Brookline Public Library, Polly Cornblath, Community Liaison, Children’s Book Shop. We hope that you will find the list a useful resource for sharing in your child’s reading experiences. Guidelines for Use 1. The purpose of the Brookline Public Schools K-8 Reading List is to make recommendations of books for students to read throughout the year.The suggested titles represent literature that will involve children in thoughtful and enjoyable reading. Grade level designations represent general guidelines; children are encouraged to read widely. Books are chosen for the list to appeal to and challenge many types of readers. We hope that parents will guide their children’s choices. 2. Students should keep the Reading List easily accessible for use throughout the school year. 3. Most of the books on the Reading List are available at all Brookline Elementary School Libraries, Brookline Public Libraries, Boston Public Libraries, and local bookstores. Not all titles, however, will be available at all locations. Every effort has been made to include on the list many titles that are available in paperback in order to encourage parents to help each child to begin to build his/her own library. 4. The Reading List is divided into sections by grouping grade levels together as follows: K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. Within each section, titles and authors are listed in specific categories covering various genres in fiction and different topics in non-fiction, as well as Books to Read Aloud, Picture Books for Older Readers, and Notable Books for each grade. Also included is a list of Pre-School Notable Books. 5. A special effort has been made to include in the Reading List those authors, illustrators and works which appear on “A Suggested List of Authors, Illustrators, or Works Reflecting Our Common Literary and Cultural Heritage” and the “Suggested List of Contemporary American Literature and World Literature” from the State of Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework. 6. Since it is impossible to include every worthy title by some authors who have written many fine books, it is hoped that readers will consult with teachers and librarians for guidance concerning other possible titles to read by some of the more prolific writers. 7. It is hoped that parents will use the Reading List to share in their children’s reading experiences. This can be done by parents reading the books themselves, or by reading the books aloud with their children, and then talking about the books and exploring the ideas and questions that they raise. Comments and suggestions on both the general function of the list and specific titles are welcomed by the Brookline Public Schools Reading List Committee members at any time.   Barbara Scotto, 6th Grade Teacher, Driscoll School Rosalind von Au, Librarian, Driscoll School Sheri Hesch, Children’s Librarian, Brookline Public Library Liz Mellett,Young Adult Librarian, Brookline Public Library Polly Cornblath, Community Liaison,Children’s Book Shop Reading List Subjects FICTION- Picture books for older readers FICTION - Adventures FICTION - Fantasy and Science Fiction FICTION - Historical FICTION - Humor FICTION- Mystery FICTION- Realistic Fiction FICTION - Short Stories FICTION - Sports NONFICTION - Biography and Autobiography NONFICTION- Drama - NONFICTION NONFICTION - Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends and Mythology NONFICTION - History, Science and Culture NONFICTION - Poetry NOTABLE BOOKS for Grade 8 7/8 FICTION - Picture Books for Older Readers - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Angelou, M. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me Bunting, E. Smoky Night Burleigh, R. Hoops Claverie, J. Little Lou Garland, M. Dinner at Magritte’s Garland, S. I Never Knew Your Name Hall, D. Milkman’s Boy Hamanaka, S. Journey: Japanese Americans, Racism and Renewal Hoestlandt, J. Star of Fear, Star of Hope Innocenti, R. Rose Blanche Johnston, T. Wagon Kalman, M. Ooh-la-la (Max in Love) (series) Lawrence, J. Great Migration Lee, Milly Nim and the War Effort Maruki, T. Hiroshima No Pika Miller, W. Richard Wright and the Library Card Myers, W. Harlem Polacco, P. Pink and Say Rosen, M. School for Pompey Walker San Souci, R. Red Heels Sendak, M. We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy Tsuchiya, Y. Faithful Elephants Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Adventure - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Cross, G. Map of Nowhere DeFelice, C. Weasel Defoe, D. Robinson Crusoe Farmer, N. Girl Named Disaster George, J. Julie (series) Hobbs, W. Downriver Kipling, R. Kim Levin, B. Brother Moose London, J. Call of the Wild Mazer, H. Last Mission Mikaelson, B. Rescue Josh McGuire Paulsen, G. Canyons Popham, M. Skywater Portis, C. True Grit Schaeffer, J. Shane Stevenson, R. Kidnapped Taylor, T. Sniper Verne, J. Around the World in Eighty Days White, R. Deathwatch Wynne-Jones, T. Maestro Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Fantasy and Science Fiction- 7/8 FICTION Author Title Adams, D. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (series) Adams, R. Watership Down Ames, M. Anna to the Infinite Power Anthony, P. Spell for Chameleon (series) Asimov, I. First Foundation (series) Bond, N. Another Shore Bradbury, R. Something Wicked This Way Comes Brooks, T. Sword of Shannara (series) Clarke, A. Childhood’s End Crews, G. Strange Objects Crichton, M. Jurassic Park (series) Cross, G. Pictures in the Dark Dickinson, P. Eva Garner, A. Owl Service Hahn, M. Look for Me Hamilton, V. Justice and her Brothers (series) Hautman, P. Mr. Was Heinlein, R. Stranger in a Strange Land Herbert, F. Dune (series) Hill, D. Exiles of Colsec Hilton, J. Lost Horizon Hudson, W. Green Mansions Hughes, M. Keeper of the Isis Light (series) Huxley, A. Brave New World Jacques, B. Mossflower (series) Jones, D. Archer’s Goon Kindl, P. Owl in Love Klause, A. Silver Kiss Lawrence, L. Calling B for Butterfly LeGuin, U. Left Hand of Darkness Lewis, C.S. Out of the Silent Planet (series) Maguire, G. I Feel Like the Morning Star Mahy, M. Tricksters McCaffrey, A. Dragonriders of Pern (series) McKinley, R. Hero and the Crown (series) Napoli, D. Zel Newman, S. Guinevere Nix, G. Sabriel Paton Walsh, J. Chance Child Paulsen, G. Dogsong Peck, R. Ghost Belonged to Me (series) Pierce, M. Dark Angel (series) Pierce, T. Alanna, the First Adventure (series) Pratchett, T. Truckers (series) Pullman, P. Subtle Knife (series) Shelley, M. Frankenstein Sleator, W. Interstellar Pig Swift, J. Gulliver’s Travels Vande Velde, V. Companions of the Night Verne, J. Mysterious Island Voigt, C. Wings of a Falcon (series) Wells, H. Time Machine Westall, R. Devil on the Road Zahn, T. Coming of Age Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Historical Fiction - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Aiken, J. Midnight Is a Place Avi Beyond the Western Sea (series) Beatty, P. Charley Skedaddle Benchley, N. Only Earth and Sky Last Forever Berry, J. Ajeemah and his Sons Blos, J. Gathering of Days Bradshaw, G. Hawk of May Collier, J. My Brother Sam Is Dead Clapp, A. Tamarack Tree Conrad, P. Prairie Songs Cooper, J. Last of the Mohicans Curtis, C. Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 Cushman, K. Ballad of Lucy Whipple Defelice, C, Apprenticeship of Lucas Whittaker Deford, F. Enemy Among Them DeJong, M. House of Sixty Fathers Denenberg, B. When Will This Cruel War Be Over? (series) Dorris, M. Sees Behind Trees Farber, N. Mercy Short Fast, H. April Morning Fleischman, P. Saturnalia Frank, J. No Hero for the Kaiser Gaines, E. Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Gedge, P. Child of the Morning Hahn, M. Stepping on the Cracks Hansen, J. Captive Hesse, K. Out of the Dust Holub, J. Robber and Me Hudson, J. Sweetgrass Hunt, I. Across Five Aprils Jenkins, L. Honorable Prison Keith, H. Rifles for Watie Lasky, K. Bone Wars Levitin, S. Return Lisle, J. Sirens and Spies Moore, Y. Freedom Songs Myers, W. Glory Field Nelson, T. And One for All Newth, M. Abduction O’Dell, S. Streams to the River, Rivers to the Sea Napoli, D. Stones in Water Orlev, U. Man from the Other Side Paterson, K. Lyddie Paton Walsh, J. Fireweed Paulsen, G. Nightjohn (series) Peck, R. Voices After Midnight Petry, A. Tituba of Salem Village Remarque, E. All Quiet on the Western Front Reeder, C. Shades of Gray Richter, C. Light in the Forest Richter, H. Friedrich Rinaldi, A. Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons Rostkowski, M. After the Dancing Days Rylant, C. I Had Seen Castles Schami, R. Handful of Stars Schur, M. Circle Maker Sutcliff, R. Flame-Colored Taffeta Taylor, M. Let the Circle Be Unbroken (series) Tunis, J. His Enemy, His Friend Uchida, Y. Picture Bride Vos, I. Hide and Seek Westall, R. Blitzcat Yep, L. Serpent’s Children Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Humor - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Bauer, J. Squashed Block, F. Weetzie Bat (series) Danziger, P. Remember Me to Harold Square Fine, A. Book of the Banshee Henry, O. Ransom of Red Chief Koertge, R. Harmony Arms Korman, G. Losing Joe’s Place McCrumb, S. Bimbos of the Death Sun Peyton, K. Who Sir, Me Sir? Pinkwater, J. Buffalo Brenda Townsend, S. Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (series) Wyss, T. Here in the Scenic-Vu Motel Zindel, P. My Darling, My Hamburger Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Mystery Stories - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Aiken, J. Whisper in the Night Alcock, V. Trial of Anna Cotman Bennett, J. Birthday Murderer Bunting, E. Haunting of Safe-Keep Charbonneau, I. Ghosts of Stony Clove Christie, A. And Then There Were None Cooney, C. Terrorist Dexter, C. I Dream of Murder Doyle, A. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes DuMaurier, D. Rebecca Duncan, L. Killing Mr. Griffin Francis, D. Bonecrack Green, T. Twilight Boy Guy, R. Disappearance Hahn, M. Dead Man in Indian Creek Hambly, B. Those Who Hunt the Night Jackson, S. Haunting of Hill House Kerr, M. Fell (series) King, L. Beekeeper’s Apprentice (series) Langton, J. Memorial Hall Murder (series) Lawrence, L. Dram Road Levitin, S. Incident at Loring Groves Miller, F. Truth Trap (series) Nixon, J. Specter Peters, E. Morbid Taste for Bones (series) Peyton, K. Prove Yourself a Hero Pullman, P. Ruby in the Smoke (series) Reiss, K. Dreadful Sorry Roberts, W. Twisted Summer Sykes, S. For Mike Taylor, T. Weirdo Tey, J. Brat Farrar Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Realistic Fiction - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Alcott, L. Jo’s Boys (series) Austen, J. Pride and Prejudice Avi Nothing But the Truth Baldwin, J. If Beale Street Could Talk Bauer, M. Face to Face Bond, N. Place to Come Back To (series) Bronte, E. Wuthering Heights Brooks, B. Midnight Hour Encores Buck, P. Good Earth Childress, A. Hero Ain’t Nothin’ but a Sandwich Cisneros, S. House on Mango Street Cole, B. Celine Coman, C. What Jamie Saw Cooney, C. Driver’s Ed Cormier, R. After the First Death Craven, M. I Heard the Owl Call my Name Creech, S. Chasing Redbird Crew, G. Angel’s Gate Cross, G. Chartbreaker Davis, J. Sex Education Deaver, J. Say Goodnight, Gracie Dickens, C. Great Expectations Dickinson, P. AK Doherty, B. White Peak Farm Dorris, M. Window Fine, A, Tulip Touch Forman, J. Fine Soft Day Fox, P. Eagle Kite Freeman, J. Cuckoo’s Child Godden, R. Thursday’s Children Gordon, S. Waiting for the Rain Greene, B. Them That Glitter and Them That Don’t Guy, R. Edith Jackson (series) Hamilton, V. Plain City Hemingway, E. Old Man and the Sea Henkes, K. Protecting Marie Hicyilmaz, G. Against the Storm Hinton, S. That Was Then, This Is Now Holland, I. Man without a Face Hudson, J. Sweetgrass Johnson, A. Toning the Sweep Kerr, M. Deliver Us from Evie Kincaid, J. Annie John Kipling, R. Kim Knowles, J. Separate Peace Koertge, R. Arizona Kid L’Engle, M. Arm of the Starfish Lasky, K. Pageant LeGuin, U. Very Far Away from Anywhere Else Lester, J. Othello Mahy, M. Catalogue of the Universe Marsden, J. Letters from the Inside Martinez, V. Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida Mazer, N. After the Rain Mohr, N. In Nueva York Montgomery, L. Emily of New Moon (series) Mori, K. Shizuko’s Daughter Myers, W. Somewhere in the Darkness Naidoo, B. Chain of Fire Nelson, T. Earthshine Nolan, H. Dancing on the Edge Nye, N. Habibi O’Neal, Z. In Summer Light Paton Walsh, J. Unleaving (series) Paulsen, G. Winter Room Peck, R. Day No Pigs Would Die (series) Pei, L. Family Resemblances Phipson, J. Hit and Run Plummer, L. My Name Is Su5san Smith. The 5 Is Silent Potok, C. Chosen Rodowsky, C. Remembering Mog Rylant, C. Fine White Dust Salinger, J. Catcher in the Rye Schami, R. Handful of Stars Shange, N. Betsy Brown Smith, D. Tree Grows in Brooklyn Staples, S. Dangerous Skies Steinbeck, J. Of Mice and Men Tarkington, B. Penrod (series) Temple, F. Taste of Salt Thesman, J. Cattail Moon Voigt, C. Izzy Willy-Nilly Walter, M. Trouble’s Child Woodson, J. House You Pass on the Way Wolff, V. Make Lemonade Zindel, P. Pigman Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Short Stories - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Bauer, M. Am I Blue? Berry, J. Thief in the Village Carlson, L. Where Angels Glide at Dawn Crutcher, C. Athletic Shorts Dickinson, P. Lion Tamer’s Daughter and Other Stories Ehrlich, A. When I Was Your Age Fleischman, P. Coming and Going Men Gallo, D. Visions Haas, E. The Sixth Sense Harte, B. Luck of the Roaring Camp and Other Stories Herriot, J. Animal Stories McKinley, R. Knot in the Grain and Other Stories Ortiz Cofer, J. Island Like You Poe, E. Tales of Mystery and Terror Rochman, H. Leaving Home: Stories Wilson, B. Leaving Yep, L. Tales from Gold Mountain Yolen, J. Vampires Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 FICTION - Sports - 7/8 FICTION Author Title Bloor, E. Tangerine Brooks, B. Moves Make the Man Crutcher, C. Ironman Deuker, C. On the Devil’s Court Duder, T. In Lane Three, Alex Archer (series) Dygard, T. Rebound Caper Klass, D. Wrestling with Honor Knudson, R. Zan Hagen’s Marathon Korman, G. Chicken Doesn’t Skate Levy, M. Run for Your Life Lipsyte, R. Brave (series) Lynch, C. Slot Machine Murrow, L. Twelve Days in August (series) Myers, W. Slam! Naughton, J. My Brother Stealing Second Soto, G. Taking Sides Spinelli, J. There’s a Girl in my Hammerlock Tunis, J. Keystone Kids Voigt, C. Runner Wallace, R. Wrestling Sturbridge Wells, R. When No One Was Looking Wolff, V. Bat 6 Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 NONFICTION - Biography and Autobiography - 7/8 NONFICTION Author Title Allen, P. As Long as the Rivers Flow: Nine Native Americans Beals, M. Warriors Don’t Cry Bober, N. Thomas Jefferson Canada, G. Fist Stick Knife Gun Cleary, B. Girl from Yamhill Dahl, R. Going Solo Dash, J. Triumph of Discovery Durrell, G. My Family and Other Animals Filipovic, Z. Zlata’s Diary Finkelstein, N. With Heroic Truth: The Life of Edward R. Murrow Frank, A. Diary of a Young Girl Freedman, R. Life and Death of Crazy Horse Giblin, J. Charles Lindbergh: A Human Hero Gilbreth, F. Cheaper by the Dozen Goodwin, D. Wait Till Next Year Harrison, B. Twilight Struggle: . Life of John Fitzgerald Kennedy Haskins, J. Bayard Rustin Henry, S. One Woman’s Power Herriot, J. All Creatures Great and Small Hodges, M. Making a Difference Huynh, Q. Land I Lost: Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam Jaspersohn, W. Senator: Bill Bradley Jiang, Ji-Li Red Scarf Girl Kennedy, J. Profiles in Courage Lazo, C. Rigoberta Menchu Lewin, T. I Was a Teenage Professional Wrestler Lyons, M. Sorrow’s Kitchen: Zora Neal Hurston Marrin, A. Unconditional Surrender:US Grant and the Civil War McKissack, P. Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman? Meigs, C. Invincible Louisa Meltzer, M. Tom Paine Myers, W. Toussaint L’Ouverture Paulsen, G. Woodsong Rylant, C. But I’ll Be Back Again Shiels, M. Winners: Women and the Nobel Prize Stanley, D. Charles Dickens: . . . Who Had Great Expectations Steinbeck, J. Travels with Charley Sutcliff, R. Blue Remembered Hills Tillage, L. Leon’s Story Westall, R. Children of the Blitz Wilson, E. Margaret Fuller: Bluestocking, Romantic . . . Zindel, P. Pigman and Me Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 NONFICTION - Drama - 7/8 NONFICTION Author Title Davis, O. Langston Fry, C. Lady’s Not for Burning Gershe, L. Butterflies Are Free Gibson, W. Miracle Worker Hansberry, L. Raisin in the Sun Lamb, W. Sparks in the Park Lawrence, J. Inherit the Wind Luce, W. Belle of Amherst McCullers, C. Member of the Wedding Miller, A. Crucible Shakespeare, W. Much Ado About Nothing Wilder, T. Our Town Zindel, P. Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 NONFICTION - Fairytales, Folktales, Legends and Mythology- 7/8 NONFICTION Author Title Bierhorst, J. Girl Who Married a Ghost Bruchac, J. Flying With the Eagle, Racing with the Great Bear Erdoes, R. American Indian Myths and Legends Hamilton, V. People Could Fly Highwater, J. Anpao Hooks, W. Ballad of Belle Dorcas Lester, J. Tales of Uncle Remus (series) Lyons, M. Raw Head, Bloody Bones Norman, H. Girl Who Dreamed Only Geese Rogasky, B. Golem San Souci, R. Faithful Friend Sanderson, R. Pappa Gatto Schroeder, A. Smoky Mountain Rose Shepard, Sea King’s Daughter Willard / Moser Beauty and the Beast Yep, L. Tongues of Jade Yolen, J. Favorite Folktales from Around the World Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 NONFICTION - History, Science and Culture - 7/8 NONFICTION Author Title Ashabranner, B. Strange and Distant Shore Bachrach, S. Tell Them We Remember: . . . The Holocaust Bartoletti, S. Growing Up in Coal Country Blais, M. In These Girls Hope Is a Muscle Blumberg, R. Full Steam Ahead Callahan, S. Adrift Costecalde, C. DK Illustrated Family Bible Cox, C. Undying Glory Feelings, T. Middle Passage Finkelstein, N. 13 Days, 90 Miles Fradin, D. We Have Conquered Pain: Discovery of Anesthesia Freedman, R. Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and . . . Child Labor Giblin, J. When Plague Strikes Hampton, W. Kennedy Assassinated! Haskins, J. Black Dance in America Jaffe, S. Who Were the Founding Fathers? Lauber, P. Hurricanes: Earth’s Mightiest Storms Lord, W. Night to Remember Macy, S. Whole New Ball Game Marrin, A. Empires Lost and Won: The Spanish Heritage Mochizuki, K. Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story Monceaux, M. Jazz, My Music, My People Murphy, J. Across America on an Emigrant Train Myers, W. Now Is Your Time Rappaport, D. American Women: Their Lives in their Words Sobel, D. Longitude Zeinert, K. Amistad Slave Revolt Back to Reading List Subjects 7/8 NONFICTION - Poetry - 7/8 NONFICTION Author Title Adoff. A. I Am the Darker Brother Agard, J. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me at All Angelou, M. And Still I Rise Carlson, L. Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems Elledge, S. Wider Than the Sky Giovanni, N. Shimmy, Shimmy, Shimmy Like My Sister Kate Glenn, M. Class Dismissed Gordon, R. Peeling the Onion Harrison, M. Peace and War: A Collection of Poems Janeczko, P. I Feel a Little Jumpy around You Knudson, R. American Sports Poems McCullough, F. Love Is Like the Lion’s Tooth Merriam, E. Inner City Mother Goose Nye, N. Space Between Our Footsteps Panzer, N. Celebrate America in Poetry and Art Plotz, H. Imagination’s Other Place Rosenberg, L. Invisible Ladder Rylant, C. Something Permanent Sullivan, C. Children of Promise Whitman / Hopkins Voyages Back to Reading List Subjects NOTABLE BOOKS - Grade 8 Author Title Bronte, E. Jane Eyre Cormier, R. I Am the Cheese Dickens, C. David Copperfield Freedman, R. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery Golding, W. Lord of the Flies Hamilton, V. Planet of Junior Brown McKinley, R. Blue Sword Murphy, J. Great Fire Myers, W. Fallen Angels Paterson, K. Jacob Have I Loved Tolkien, J. Lord of the Rings Twain, M. Adventures of Tom Sawye Back to Reading List Subjects top