Middle School Reads!

by Laura Hillenbrand Lexile:  850 Genre:  Biography As a boy, Louis Zamperini was known as a troublemaker, but as a teenager he was able to channel his energy into running which gave him the chance to compete in the Berlin Olympics.  But then the war came and in May of 1943, Louis Zamperini’s plan crashed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  He is left stranded in the ocean in enemy territory with only a life raft and his desire to survive.  This is the incredible true story of how Louis was pushed to the brink of death and yet somehow managed to remain unbroken.

by Phillip Hoose Lexile:  1000 Genre:  Biography March 2, 1955:  15 year old Claudette Colvin was on her way home from high school, riding on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.  The bus filled up and the driver ordered Claudette to give up her seat, but she refused, citing her constitutional right to sit wherever she wanted to.  Claudette was arrested and taken to jail.  Does this story sound familiar to you?  Perhaps this reminds you of a story you’ve heard about Rosa Parks?  Claudette is someone you probably have never heard of, but she actually played an important role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  This is the powerful biography of a young girl who decided to stand up for herself and demand justice for all.

by Derek Jeter Lexile:  770 Genre:  Memoir As a third grader, Derek Jeter had a dream.  His dream was to wear #2 and play shortstop for the New York Yankees.  Many people laughed at him, but his parents taught him that if you want to realize your dreams you are going to have to work hard.  They developed a contract for him to follow.  This contract focused on setting goals, finding role models, striving to always do your best, learning form mistakes and knowing and expecting that every day will be a challenge.  By following this contract, Derek was able to build the life skills to take him all the way to the top.

by Nick Bertozzi Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Biography (Graphic Novel) Ernest Shackleton had a dream:  to lead a successful expedition to the South Pole.  In the early 1900s this was considered to be an almost impossible task, but he was a determined dreamer and did whatever it took to scrape together the financing and support to get a crew to the South Pole.  His final expedition was filled with set back after set back, but miraculously he returned with his entire crew.

By Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso Lexile:  660 Genre:  Biography Steve Jobs was an interesting character his whole life.  As a young boy, his imagination caused him to want to continuously build and fix things. As a young man, he rarely showered, ate only fruits and vegetables, and showed up barefoot to work.  But all the while, his mind was at work, creating new products that would change the way the world works and communicates.

by Jess Brailler Lexile:  810 Genre:  Biography Who was the genius with the crazy hair?  He didn't look the part, but Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant men of all time.  He was a scientist who made many, many discoveries, one of which led to the invention of the TV.  He was also a fan of peace, despite the fact that one of his theories led to the invention of the atom bomb.

by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso Lexile:  860 Genre:  Biography Who is J.K. Rowling?  Well, she happens to be one and only creator of a boy wizard named Harry Potter!  J. K. Rowling knew she wanted to be a writer, but it took a long time for her to be able to have the time to focus on the stories she had been carrying around in her head.  If you're a Harry Potter fan, you'll enjoy learning more about the imagination that created Pottermania.

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 Gwenyth Swain Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Biography Wanda Gag grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota.  The oldest of 7 children, most of whom she raised after the early death of their father and mother.  There wasn't much money in the Gag household, but Wanda had two dreams:  she would find a way to get to art school, and all of her siblings would graduate from high school.  After years of hard work and sacrifice, both of those dreams came true.

by Patricia Lakin Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Biography Steve Jobs, the cofounder and chairman of Apple, has at times been called a variety of names:  "inventor, third grade terror, pioneer, college dropout, visionary, geek, and revolutionary."  No one who knew Steve as a child or teenager would have expected him to lead such an extraordinary life.  His inventions and companies have changed people's lives throughout the world.

by Geoff Edgers Lexile:  670 Genre:  Biography How did four unknown boys from Liverpool, England become a world-famous rock band of the '60s?  Read this book to learn about the exciting lives of John, Paul, Ringo and George!

(The Anne Frank House authorized graphic biography) by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon Lexile:  800 Genre:  Graphic Novel/Biography This book is the first authorized graphic novel adaptation of the biography of Anne Frank.  The book covers the early lives of Anne's parents, Edith and Otto Frank, her childhood prior to WWII and her life inside the Secret Annex.

by Roberta Edwards Lexile:  720 Genre:  Biography The first president of the United States led a very interesting life.  Read this biography in the Who Was... ?  series to find out all about this great leader.

                                                                           by Roberta Edwards Lexile: 740 Genre: Biography Ever wondered what the President of the United States did as a child? In this biography, you will learn about his pet ape, his travels around the world, and his love for basketball. Barack Obama has led a very interesting life. Read this book to find our more about the first African American president of the United States.

by Joan Holub Lexile: 780 Genre: Biography Did Marco Polo really travel to China and back? Did he really see and experience all that he wrote about in his book? So many mysteries surround the life of this great explorer. One thing that's for sure is that he led a very exciting life. Check out this book to learn more about the person who inspired the travels of Christopher Columbus.

by Joan Holub Lexile: 740 Genre: Biography Babe Ruth led an interesting life both on and off the baseball field. As a boy, he was a constant troublemaker and loved to play practical jokes. As he grew older, he channeled his energy into baseball and eventually became the home run king of the New

by Allan Zullo Lexile: ??? Genre: Biography Here are ten true tales about children who survived the night of April 14, 1912. They were all aboard the Titanic and lived to tell about that frightful night.

by Roberta Edwards Lexile: 690 Genre: Biography The mummy of King Tut laid undisturbed in a tomb for 3,000 years before Howard Carter made his discovery after many years of searching. King Tut was the famous boy king of Egypt who died before he turned 20. Since Howard Carter's discovery, millions have become fascinated with the life and afterlife of many Egyptian pharaohs.

by Roberta Edwards Lexile: 810 Genre: Biography Neil Armstrong is best known as being the first man on the moon. He uttered the words " That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind" which were heard by people all around the world. This book explains Neil's journey from a boy who loved to build model airplanes to the man who first set foot on the moon.

by Margaret Frith Lexile: 790 Genre: Biography Have you used a lightbulb today? If so, you need to thank Thomas Alva Edison, one of the greatest American inventors. Thomas was curious his entire life and that curiosity led him to invent many things that we continue to use every day. Read this book to find out more about the life of Thomas Edison.