Well, 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' is a fine historical fiction for 5th graders. It's about a girl in colonial Connecticut. Then there's 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor. This book deals with racial issues in the South during the Great Depression. And don't forget 'Island of the Blue Dolphins' which is based on the true story of a girl stranded on an island.
I highly recommend 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio. It's about a boy with a facial deformity and his journey in a new school. It's very inspiring. Another good one is 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It has a great plot about a girl who discovers a hidden garden.
Another good one is 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor. This novel, which is about 300 pages long, tells the story of an African - American family in the South during the Great Depression. It's a powerful story that shows the hardships and discrimination they faced. It's educational and engaging for 8th graders.
One great option is 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio. It tells the story of a boy with facial differences as he enters mainstream school for the first time. It's really heart - warming and teaches kids about kindness and acceptance. Another is 'Out of My Mind' by Sharon M. Draper. The main character has cerebral palsy but has a brilliant mind. It gives a great perspective on disability. Also, 'Because of Winn - Dixie' by Kate DiCamillo is a wonderful choice. It's about a girl and her dog and how they form connections in a new town.
In my opinion, Bigfoot is likely not a real story for 8th graders. Most of the claims about Bigfoot are unproven and lack scientific backing. It's more of a topic for entertainment or imagination.
Imagery is when the author uses words to make you see pictures in your mind. Like if they say 'The red rose was as soft as silk', that's imagery because it helps you imagine the rose.
You can start by picking out the main characters and what they do. Then, find the key events and explain them simply. Also, talk about the problem and how it gets solved.
First, have the kids identify the main characters and what they want. Then, figure out the main events and the problem they face. Finally, put it all together in a simple way that's easy for them to understand.