The One Book to Read This Summer!

Actually, my students and I are offering up several dozen books for you to devour in the coming months…

Thank you, thank you, thank you,

cfaughnan

!  My 7th grade students loved your project idea, THE ONE BOOK TO READ THIS SUMMER.  I promised I’d share their recommendations with the team and beyond, so here we go…

If your friend said he or she was only going to read ONE BOOK this summer and asked you which one to read, what title would you recommend?  Some of my kids agonized over this. (“How about three? Can I recommend three?”)  Here are their choices:

(Note: I’ve linked to some great independent bookstores for cover copy. Feel free to order from your own favorite bookseller. And Global Citizens…don’t forget you can ask the library to get these through inter-library loan!)

Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata (recommended by Matt, Justin, Henry, Josh, & Bethany)
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (recommended by Natalie)
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (recommended by Katherine)
November Blues by Sharon Draper (recommended by Becky)
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson (recommended by Victoria)
Crash! by Jerry Spinelli (recommended by Alan)
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (recommended by James)
I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder (recommended by Caitlin)
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (recommended by Tianna)
Wolf Brother by Michele Paver (recommended by Ryan)
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr (recommended by Eunice and Dee)
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (recommended by Molly and Amy)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (recommended by Robert and Kyle)
Cirque du Freak: Tunnels of Blood by Darren Shan (recommended by Tyler)
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (recommended by Nate)
Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes (recommended by Anna)
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (recommended by Kemar)
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly (recommended by Alexandra)
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce (recommended by Eunice)
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages (recommended by Brad)
Rooftop by Paul Volponi (recommended by Nathan)
Uglies by Scott Westerfield (recommended by Jonas)
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (recommended by Andy and Zane)
Rules by Cynthia Lord (recommended by Saleana)
The Elder Gods: Book One of The Dreamers by David & Leigh Eddings (recommended by Josh)
Extras by Scott Westerfield (recommended by Kianna)
Over the Wall by John H. Ritter (recommended by Cole)
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult (recommended by Shawn)
Warriors: Power of Three by Erin Hunter  (recommended by Amanda)
The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson (recommended by Hamzah)
Late Bloomer by Fern Michaels (recommended by Francesca)
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard (recommended by Allison)
Camp X by Eric Walters (recommended by Mohamed)
Arthur: The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossly-Holland (recommended by Maggie)
Small Steps by Louis Sachar (recommended by MacKenzie)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (recommended by Alec)
Heroes Don’t Run by Harry Mazer (recommended by Devin)
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (recommended by Katelyn)
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (recommended by Michele)
Broken China by Lori Aurelia Williams (recommended by Maegan)
Rescue Josh McGuire by Ben Mikaelsen (recommended by Kyle)
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (recommended by Josh)
Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson (recommended by Meghan)
Last Shot by John Feinstein (recommended by Joey)
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber (recommended by Logan)
Crank by Ellen Hopkins (recommended by Lakeiah)
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (recommended by Olivia)
Confessions by Kate Brian (recommended by Paige)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien (recommended by Margaret)
Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy (recommended by Tracie and Kayla)
The Big Field by Mike Lupica (recommended by Josh)
Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler (recommended by Cody)
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban (recommended by Nicole)
Gossamer by Lois Lowry (recommended by Athena)
Private by Kate Brian (recommended by Janelle)
Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs (recommended by Nathaniel)

Happy reading!