Caring for Middle School Readers: A Parent's Guide to Books for 7th Graders
Introduction
As your child progresses through the middle grades, reading is going to play an ever-more significant role in their development, not only academically but also personally. Seventh graders are at that juncture in their development where by they should be able to comprehend more complicated narration and tackle more complex themes. This guide is specially prepared to help parents choose books for their 7th grader that will help entertain and enrich. It also provides advisory tips on how to maximize the benefits of reading. We shall mention reasons why MoBoo's curated collection is ideal for 7th graders.
Advantages of Reading Books for 7th Graders
Reading for 7th graders offers several important benefits.
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Enriches Vocabulary and Critical Thinking: Frances Hardinge's "The Lie Tree" is one of those rich-in-words books with a carefully developed plot-a good book for busy students developing their vocabulary and, at the same time, their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Encourages Empathy and Social Awareness: Stories like "Refugee" by Alan Gratz expose readers to what life is like for children whose lives are under duress. Delving into these stories equips a young reader with valuable information about global issues and sensitizes them with more empathy toward people from diverse backgrounds.
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Introduces Complex Themes: At this age, 7th graders are ready for exposure to deeper, more complex themes. The novel "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman is an ideal choice for this age because it explores the consequences of technological development through questions about morality.
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Encourages Emotional Exploration and Self-awareness: Books like "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi can help children explore their identity, belongingness, and courage.
Choosing the Right Books for 7th Graders
Choosing the right books for your 7th grader will ensure that they remain engaged, which is vital for growth.
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Books that Balance Challenge and Enjoyment: Books at this age must be challenging yet entertaining. One example is "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera, a science fiction novel. Writing is somewhat complex so reading needs to be slower, but it pays off in an engaging, rich story.
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Relevant Themes and Issues: Choose books that deal with themes relevant to your child's experiences and challenges. For example, "Rebound" by Kwame Alexander touches on aspects like loss, resilience, and finding oneself-easily relatable to many students of this grade.
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Diversity in Characters and Perspectives: Consider stories that hold a different perspective. "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse tells a historical story through the eyes of a girl who lived amidst Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. It sheds light on not only how frightening that particular period was but also how important it is to be courageous and moral.
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Books That Spark Curiosity and Imagination: Tales such as "Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna" by Alda P. Dobbs-a flight into the Mexican Revolution-fuel curiosity about history, culture, and survival. They are fundamentally inspirational, generating more interest in the world.
Recommended Books for 7th Grade
Here are some outstanding book recommendations for 7th graders, with each providing something different yet instructive.
When we first met
Author: Mazer, Norma Fox
Age Range: 11 - 18
Description: A teen-age girl has the misfortune to fall in love with the son of a woman who killed her sister in a car accident.
Whittington
Author: Armstrong, Alan
Age Range: 8 - 13
Description: The power of reading is beautifully captured in this 2006 Newbery Honor-winning book. Bernie keeps a barn full of animals the rest of the world has no use for–two retired trotters, a rooster, some banty hens, and a Muscovy duck with clipped wings who calls herself The Lady. When the cat called Whittington shows up one day, it is to the Lady that he makes an appeal to secure a place in the barn. The Lady's a little hesitant at first, but when the cat claims to be a master ratter, that clinches it. Bernie' s orphaned grandkids, Abby and Ben, come to the barn every day to help feed the animals. Abby shares her worry that Ben can't really read yet and that he refuses to go to Special Ed. Whittington and the Lady decide that Abby should give Ben reading lessons in the barn. It is a balm for Ben when, having toughed out the daily lesson, Whittington comes to tell, in tantalizing installments, the story handed down to him from his nameless forebearer, Dick Whittington's cat–the legend of the lad born into poverty in rural England during the Black Death, who runs away to London to seek his fortune. This is an unforgettable tale about how learning to read saves one little boy. It is about the healing, transcendent power of storytelling and how, if you have loved ones surrounding you and good stories to tell, to listen to, and to read, you have just about everything of value in this world. From the Hardcover edition.
Cinderella
Author: Mueller, Jenna
Age Range: 2 - 17
Description: Cinderella is too busy cleaning and fixing things around the house that she runs out of time to get ready for the ball with her stepsisters, but then her Fairy Godmother shows up to help the aspiring interior designer and Clementine go to the party.
The big picture
Author: Jones, Jenny B.
Age Range: 11 - 20
Description: Dumped by her possible boyfriend at a drive-in theater, Katie returns home to find that her mother, a former convict and current addict, wants to take her away from her foster family, friends, and church, and Katie must make important decisions as she considers what family and home really mean.
The sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary.
Author: Jackson, K. B
Age Range: 9 - 20
Description: "Twelve-year-old JAKE NELSON and his mom, a former Disney Princess, have recently moved from Orlando, Florida, to his grandfather’s home in Washington State. Shorter than the average sixth grader, Jake finds it difficult to fit in at his new school, Hawthorne Elementary, especially after making an enemy of one of the most popular boys on the very first day. Not to mention, Jake’s hobby is a little unusual: He’s a Sasquatch hunter"--Amazon.com.
Baker's magic
Author: Zahler, Diane
Age Range: 8 - 12
Description: Bee is an orphan in the poor kingdom of Aradyn, and when she is caught stealing a bun from a bakery, the lonely baker offers to take her on as an apprentice--but when she meets Princess Anika, and the evil mage Joris who is her "guardian" she embarks on a journey to save Anika, and restore the kingdom its rightful ruler. Includes bouts bun recipe (cinnamon buns).
Steinbeck's ghost
Author: Buzbee, Lewis
Age Range: 10 - 14
Description: After young Travis and his family move to a new housing development, he misses his old home and its way of life. Now he bikes back to his old library to reconnect with the characters from John Steinbeck's novels who seem to come alive in a very real way. But when budget cuts threaten his library, Travis knows that he must work to complete a novel like one that Steinbeck might have started.
The birchbark house
Author: Erdrich, Louise
Age Range: 8 - 14
Description: Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. For as long as Omakayas can remember, she and her family have lived on the land her people call the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker. Although the chimookoman, white people, encroach more and more on their land, life continues much as it always has. Every summer the family builds a new birchbark house; every fall they go to ricing camp to harvest and feast; they move to the cedar log house before the first snows arrive, and celebrate the end of the long, cold winters at maple-sugaring camp. In between, Omakayas fights with her annoying little brother, Pinch, plays with the adorable baby, Neewo, and tries to be grown-up like her beautiful older sister, Angeline. But the satisfying rhythms of their lives are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever. Set on an island in Lake Superior in 1847, and filled with fascinating details of traditional Ojibwa life, The Birchbark House is a breathtaking novel by one of America's most gifted and original writers
Mission Telemark
Author: Mitchison, Amanda
Age Range: 8 - 17
Missile Mouse
Author: Parker, Jake
Age Range: 8 - 12
These books will help young readers grow, understand themselves and others, and stay connected through the diverse stories that sharpen their views and imaginations.
Ways to Have Your Child Learn from Books
Here are some suggestions that will help your 7th grader get more out of what they read.
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Discussion Opportunities: Discuss the themes of the books they read with your child. In the case of "Scythe," for example, it would be interesting to debate what ethical dilemmas these characters face and what alternatives had. Such discussions develop not only critical thinking but also a deeper involvement with the material.
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Encouraging Independent Reading: Give your child some free choice over the books they want to read, but also make suggestions for genres or topics they may be new to them. If your child enjoyed "Refugee," they might enjoy other books dealing with historical events or personal journeys.
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Set Reading Goals and Celebrate Successes: With your child, set a goal to read a specified number of books per month. Celebrate the success with small rewards or a special outing, which will make reading a fun challenge.
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Audiobooks to Enhance the Experience: Especially helpful for reluctant readers or to be used while traveling, audiobooks are a great resource. An audiobook of "The Last Cuentista" allows students to experience a shared reading that keeps the story alive in a new way.
Why Choose MoBoo for Books for your 7th Graders
MoBoo carefully selects books, considering the developing needs of young readers. Here's why MoBoo is the best guide in choosing books for your 7th grader.
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Carefully Chosen Titles: Every book in the file-including "The Lie Tree" and "Pet"-has been carefully selected, considering age suitability, ease of reading, and learning values.
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Diverse Representation Emphasized: MoBoo celebrates diversity in book choices so children will see both themselves and others within the stories. Books like "Pet" and "The Last Cuentista" are excellent examples of stories that build empathy and understanding.
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Entertaining yet Informative: MoBoo's books are entertaining; at the same time, they help build important skills and knowledge. Whether learning about certain historical events in "Refugee" or delving into moral issues in "Scythe," MoBoo's collection truly makes reading entertaining and educational for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kinds of books are suitable for the 7th graders?
A: Better served are books that challenge the readers, offer some variety of characters, and have themes applicable to middle school students. Books with the complexity and theme of "The Lie Tree" and "Pet" will engage imaginations and encourage 7th-grade students to think more critically.
Q: How can I get my 7th grader to read?
A: Encourage your child to choose books that genuinely interest them and make a comfortable reading environment available for them. Also, reading the same book and discussing it, like "Hour of the Bees," will make reading so more fun and discussions more meaningful. Audiobooks or graphic novels are other available formats.
Q: Special book series that would be recommended for 7th graders?
A: Great series for 7th graders interested in dystopian fiction is Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games;" and for those who love mythology combined with adventure there is Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson & The Olympians" titles.
Q: What Do I Do if My 7th Grader Isn't into Reading?
A: Try offering books that align with their current interests or hobbies and make reading a bit more interactive. Graphic novels or illustrated versions of stories can also help; for example, "The Last Cuentista: by Donna Barba Higuera. Start a small book club with friends or family in which everyone reads the same book, making reading social.
Q: Can Reading Help Prepare My 7th Grader for School?
A: Absolutely, reading improves vocabulary, critical thinking, comprehension, and analytical skills-all of which are vital for school. Books like "Refugee" give historical context and awareness of world issues, while "Scythe" encourages thought about ethical dilemmas. Reading strengthens children's language skills to help them excel in language arts and beyond.
By following these recommendations and tips, parents make it possible for 7th graders to grow academically and personally in their love of reading. MoBoo provides book selections that are enriching, entertaining, and developmentally relevant.