Middle School Reads!

by Steve Sheinkin Lexile:  990 Genre:  Biography Who was Benedict Arnold?  Throughout his life, that question has been answered differently.  Daredevil, crazy, overconfident, leader, traitor...what is your opinion of this man who played a role in the Revolutionary War?  Read this book to find out the true story of adventure, heroism, and treachery.

by Jim O'Connor Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Informational Nearly 50,000 soldiers died during the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War.  Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Adress was composed to honor all the soldiers who gave their lives during the fight to uphold the beliefs that Abraham Lincoln believed the founding fathers meant for America to uphold.

by Pittacus Lore Lexile:  700 Genre:  Science Fiction John and Henri have been on the run for a long time.  Henri, posing as John's father, is actually a guard, charged with keeping John alive.  John is number 4, and is the only hope for the future of his race.  John is actually an alien, shipped to Earth with 8 others, as his planet was being destroyed.  Now, as he and the other 8 gain strength and power, they have become a threat to the evil Mogadorians.  Numbers one, two, and three have been found and eliminated, which means John is next.  All he has left is hope.

Edited by J. Patrick Lewis Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Poetry This is a collection of 200 poems - all about animals!  Each poem is accompanied by amazing real life animal photographs.  You'll recognize many of the poets, and some will be new.  But all tell wonderful stories about the amazing animals in our midst.

by Andrew Lane Lexile:  940 Genre:  Mystery Young Sherlock Holmes is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his father to take him home from boarding school to spend the summer with his family.  Instead, his brother shows up with the news that his father has been sent to India and Sherlock is to spend the summer in England with an aunt and uncle he has never met.  It is made very clear that his aunt and uncle are not excited about his presence and Sherlock wonders how on earth he wil survive the summer.  But suddenly, he finds himself in the middle of a mystery.  Two men have died unexplainably, from something that looks like it might be the plague.  Sherlock is on the case!

by John D. Fitzgerald Lexile:  840 Genre:  Historical Fiction Tom is only 10 years old, but he has earned the nickname, The Great Brain. Tom is an expert at using his great brain to solve problems, but usually also manages to use it to his advantage.  Saving lost boys, helping the new student at school, saving a child's life...all seem like Tom should be treated as a hero.  But somehow, he always manages to walk away with some monetary reward.

by Doug TenNapel Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Fantasy (Graphic Novel) Reese does not want to go on vacation with his lame family, but his father is insisting.  They have plans to go on a boating trip, but suddenly they find themselves shipwrecked on the middle of a very strange island.  They will only survive this "vacation" if they work together.

by Brian Selznick Lexile:  830 Genre:  Historical Fiction This unique book is comprised of two stories being told at the same time - one through illustrations an one through text.  The reader realizes early on that the two will combine...somehow, but it's not clear until nearly the end.  Ben has lost his mother, his hearing, and his home.  He never knew who is father was, but while going through his mother's things, he stumbles on some clues that take him to New York City where he hopes to learn the truth about his past and who he is.  

by Joan Bauer Lexile:  710 Genre:  Realistic Fiction Hope is moving again.  Abandoned by her mother at birth, raised by her loving aunt, Hope has spent her life dreaming of the moment that she when she meets her father.  When Aunt Addie tells her that packing up and moving to Wisconsin, Hope isn't sure that she's up for the challenge.  But she puts her faith in the fact that Addie has always done what was best for the two of them, and decides to forge ahead with the move.  The sleepy town of Mulhoney doesn't look like it has much to offer at first, but what Hope finds there, will change her life forever.