Summer Reading List for 7th and 8th Grade – Afropolitan Mom
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Summer Reading List for 7th and 8th Grade

Keep your preteen/teens engaged all summer long with one of these recommendations for ages 10 – 13 an ideal summer reading list with young authors from different genres.

As my children enjoy the warm summer weather and outdoor adventures, we are making it a priority to keep them reading all through the summer months. We have done this since there were little.  Thankfully, my girls are at the stage where they enjoy reading, which is why I do my best to encourage them in hopes that it helps boost their brain power but also emotionally as well. Scientifically, reading has been proved to help us connect with our cultures; it helps introduce us to the world and makes us more empathetic. What’s been helpful for me in the past is making sure they are involved in choosing some of their reading materials. 

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Summer Reading List for 7th and 8th graders

This summer make time for reading with your little ones with one of these teen-friendly books. If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, then you know we’ve come a long way. From our first and second-grade summer reading recommendation to last years’ 6th-grade summer reading. If you look through the list, you can see that her reading styles have evolved. If she had her way, she would probably spend all summer reading her manga anime, but I can’t have her in a chill mood all summer, hence this curated list.  As much as I appreciate her wanting to read, it’s often hard to find books that aren’t too out there – meaning books that aren’t filled with sexual reference, curse words, drugs and lots of violence. She’s eager to explore young authors books, but I am a bit apprehensive about exposing her to books that aren’t appropriate. 

The recommendations below are a combination of my daughters current summer reading list, the Liberians suggestions and a few of the books below are a part of the recommending summer reading by their school. I would love though if you can share with me, what your children are currently reading, or what you think of the selections below. 

Summer Reading List


The Book Thief  – Without giving too much away, the book is set in Nazi Germany, 1939.  It follows an orphan little girl by the name of Liesel as she figures out the chaos of World War II in Germany.  It’s a complex, tragic, heartwarming and exciting plot and a good read none-the-less. The way the book is narrated is fascinating, and the character that described the book is also unique in itself. It takes an interesting perspective on death.  It will be a lovely addition to your bookshelf. 

 


Dear Martin – Seventeen-year-old, Ivy League, college-bound, African-American Justyce McAllister writes a letter to late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on everything that’s happening in current news. Dear Martin is poignant, honest, and without sugarcoating, it; it addresses a lot of things our children are facing nowadays. It dives into the Black Lives Matter movement, police brutally, underage drinking, and usual stereotypes.  The ending is not realistic; however, it a great read and somewhat reminds me of ‘The Hate You Give.’ Even if you’re well versed the topics being discussed, it’s still worth a read. 

 


Akata Witch or as some people know it – What Sunny Saw in the Flames. It’s a book with different titles depending on what country you are in; Fantasy novel about a Twelve-year-old American-born Nigerian raised girl by the name, Sunny Nwazue, where she learns that she has latent magical powers which she and three similarly gifted friends use to catch a serial killer. It’s not for everyone, but if you like fantasy novels with diverse characters, then this might be a good read for you. 

 

The Poet X – This is written in verse, and most people tell us it will be better as an audiobook. It’s based on a Latin American, Harlem teenage girl named, Xiomara has she shares her thoughts on growing up in a Catholic household. She shares the pressure with growing up as a teen, finding her identity, finding her voice, her struggles with her faith  – she shared all these through her poetry. 

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – Narrated by main character 9-year-old, Cassie Logan. The story follows Cassie and her family as they do everything in their power to hold on to their land in Mississippi during the ‘30s.  

Nimona – It’s a funny, graphic novel about a female protagonist and young shapeshifter by the Nimona. Nimona is an impulsive sidekick to a villain by the name, Lord Blackheart with a vendetta. Without giving away too much, it’s a fun read and great for the beach. 

Monday’s Not Coming – Mixed review on whether this is suitable for teens because it has references to illegal drugs and underage drinking. It’s a great read, and it will have your emotions going crazy, but overall – it’s friendship, neglect, abuse, and bullying. Claudia goes on a journey to find out what happened to her friend, Monday Charles who one day goes mysteriously missing although no one else seems to be looking for her, including her mother.  

Piecing Me Together – A 16-year-old high school junior Jade would instead join in her school’s study abroad program than take part in a mentorship program for at-risk girls. It sheds light on stereotypes and Social class in the United States. It’s thought-provoking and a good read. 

Forget Me Not – Story about friendship, owning one’s differences, and living an authentic life. It follows, 7th grader Calliope June, as she moves to a new town where she’s doing everything in her power to hide her Tourette syndrome. 

 

Kira is the founder of the award-winning lifestyle blog focused on family, tech, fashion, beauty, food, fitness, and travel. She lives in the suburb of NJ with her husband and two daughters. 

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