Sure. 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry is a great choice. It presents a seemingly utopian but actually dystopian society in a very realistic way, making students think about freedom and individuality. 'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen is also good. It shows a boy's struggle for survival in the wilderness, which is a very real - life situation that can engage middle - school students. Another one is 'Freak the Mighty' which deals with friendship between two boys with different abilities.
For middle - school teaching of realistic fiction, 'Bud, Not Buddy' by Christopher Paul Curtis is a great option. It's set during the Great Depression and follows the journey of an orphan boy, exploring themes like family, race, and poverty. 'Dear Mr. Henshaw' by Beverly Cleary is also a good one. It shows a boy's relationship with an author through letters, dealing with real - life issues like divorce and loneliness. And 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins, while having some dystopian elements, also has a lot of realistic themes like survival, power, and sacrifice.
For middle school, 'The Hunger Games' trilogy can be used. It shows a post - apocalyptic world where teenagers face difficult situations, and there are themes of survival, power, and sacrifice. 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio is also great. It focuses on a boy with a facial deformity and how he navigates through school and society, teaching about acceptance and kindness. And 'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen, which is about a boy's survival in the wilderness, can also be used to teach about self - reliance in a realistic - fiction context.
In middle school, for fiction, 'Bridge to Terabithia' is a beautiful story that can be used to teach about friendship, loss, and imagination. When it comes to nonfiction, 'A Long Walk to Water' by Linda Sue Park is a good book to teach about the water crisis in Sudan and perseverance. 'Weird But True! 6' from National Geographic is also a great nonfiction resource. It has a lot of strange and interesting facts that can engage middle - school students and help them develop an interest in nonfiction reading.
Sure. 'Freak the Mighty' is a wonderful choice. It tells the story of two boys with different physical and mental abilities who form an unlikely friendship. It's very relatable for middle - schoolers. Another is 'Stargirl' which realistically shows how a unique girl stands out in a conformist school environment. 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank can also be used. It's a real - life account of a girl in hiding during the Holocaust, teaching important historical and human values.
One great book is 'Wonder' by R. J. Palacio. It tells the story of a boy with a facial deformity who goes to school for the first time. It's really inspiring and shows how kindness can overcome differences. Another is 'The Outsiders' by S. E. Hinton, which is about two groups of teenagers from different social classes.
For reluctant readers, 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series by Jeff Kinney is really good. The simple yet humorous illustrations and the relatable story of a middle - schooler's daily life can easily draw them in. Another is 'Big Nate' by Lincoln Peirce. The funny and light - hearted adventures of Nate are easy to follow and enjoy.
One great book from 1960 could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a powerful story that deals with themes like racial injustice and moral growth through the eyes of a young girl in a small southern town.
They can help students understand different perspectives. For example, in 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry, students can see a world very different from their own and learn about the importance of memory and choice.
Another is 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio. This book follows Auggie, a boy with a facial deformity, as he enters middle school. It deals with themes of kindness, acceptance, and friendship in a very relatable way for middle schoolers.
One great one is 'The Outsiders' by S. E. Hinton. It tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with class differences and gang rivalries. Another is 'Wonder' by R. J. Palacio, which is about a boy with facial differences entering middle school. 'Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson is also excellent. It deals with friendship and loss in a very moving way.
Some great ones include 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. They offer real-life insights and engaging stories.