Public and school librarians in South Orange and Maplewood put together suggested summer reading lists for students.
nonfiction and biography
Excelsior: the Amazing Life of Stan Lee by Stan Lee
Stan Lee’s name is legendary in the history of comic books. This inspirational autobiography skillfully illustrates the rise of Marvel Comics. “Excelsior” depicts the development of the comic book industry, and his creation of super hero magazines titles such as: Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and Spider Man, all created by Stan Lee.
Masters of the comic book universe revealed! by Arie Kaplan
Kaplan, a writer for MAD Magazine,
compiled this book for comic book artists and fans alike. Kaplan depicts the lives of legendary comic
book artists such as: Will Eisner, Stan Lee (Iron Man, Spiderman, Fantastic Four), Neil Gaiman
(Sandman), and Dwayne Duffie (Static, Icon, and Damage Control). This book is great for people who
are interested in the history of comic books.
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine:Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley by Sally Walker
What happened to sink this early submarine, and why did it take over 130 years of searching to find the wreckage? Find out about the sub, its mission, and the recovery of its secrets in this fascinating tale of bravery, mystery, bones and gold.
We Are the Ship: the story of the Negro Baseball League by Kadir Nelson
They barely got paid, they often didn’t have matching uniforms, they couldn’t afford to stay in hotels, and they couldn’t get food in many places they traveled
because they were Black. But, they loved the game and they were some of the best athletes of their day.
The heart of the beast, eight great gorilla stories by Nancy Roe Pimm
In 1996 a small boy fell into
a ravine and was saved and gently rocked by a mother gorilla until resucers appeared. This eight true life
stories will make see gorillas not just as beasts of the jungle but as mammals with a unique combination
of strength and tenderness.
Why did it have to be snakes, from science to the supernatural, the many mysteries of Indiana Jones by Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg
Get ready for adventure as you explore the
secrets and stories of Indiana Jones and his world. Why did he have to wear a leather jacket and a
fedora!? Find out here!
Chasing Lincoln's killer by James L. Swanson
Based on his adult book “Manhunt,” Swanson writes a
fast-paced thriller about the 12-day chase for Abraham Lincoln’s killer. You’ll find out why John Wilkes
Booth wanted to shoot the president, and how Lincoln’s death affected those closest to him, as well as
the nation.
Mystery/Adventure
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer
Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes is being hunted by her brother, the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. While trying to elude her brother she tries to solve the kidnapping of sixteen-year-old Lady Cecily in nineteenth-century London.
The first book of the Enola Holmes mystery series is The Case of the Missing Marquess.
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz
The action and adventure continues for teenage spy Alex Rider in this newest book in the series. In Southeast Asia and Australia Alex faces danger at every turn as he tries to stop ruthless gangs. Alex has the opportunity to work with his newly-found godfather and to learn more about his parents.
historical fiction
Bread and Roses Too by Katherine Paterson
Twelve-year-old Rosa and thirteen-year-old Jake form an unlikely friendship as they try to survive and understand the 1912 Bread and Roses strike of mill workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth,
are sold to ruthless, wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by
rebels, who promise her freedom (and help finding Ruth, who has been sent away) if she agrees to spy.
This fast-paced novel reveals the heartache and struggles of a country and slave fighting for freedom.
The characters are well developed, and the situations are realistic.
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, which is a haven for slaves fleeing the American South in 1859, uses his wits and skills to try to bring to justice the lying preacher who has stolen money that was to be used to buy a family's freedom.
The Inventions of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Hugo spends his life in secret in the walls of the Paris train station, until he gets caught stealing and things begin to unravel. Hugo’s adventure unfolds through both the text and the pictures in this exciting story.
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck
This story takes place in a time when the whole street played “hide and seek.” And everyone knew each other. Davy’s brother flies war planes and there are air raid drills at home as they wait for Bill’s safe return to the family in this World War II story.
When I crossed No-Bob by Margaret McMullan
Margaret McMullan’s eloquent prose creates an
unforgettable character Addy, in this powerful story of life in Mississippi after the Civil War. Addy, the
young narrator has been abandoned by her mother and father and leaves behind the land called No-Bob
and the constant feuding of her relatives, the O’Donnell family. Sheltered by her school teacher Mr.
Frank, she is safe until post Civil War racism rears its ugly head. Mr. Frank is falsely accused and Addy
must confront her own family and tell the truth.
science fiction/fantasy
Dr. Franklin’s Island by Ann Halam
An airplane with a group of science students crashes into the ocean and only three survive stranded on a deserted island. While struggling to survive they become part of a science experiment involving animal genes being transferred into humans.
The Extras by Paul Westerfeld
In a futuristic society one’s popularity rating determines where and how one lives, the higher your rating the more you get. Like everyone else Aya Fuse is an extra. Follow her exploits as she strives to raise her popularity rank.
This is the fourth book in The Uglies series which includes The Pretties and The Specials.
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
After her mother’s suicide Gemma is sent to a boarding school in London. There she begins to have visions of her mother’s death and learns about sorcery as well as proper deportment for Victorian ladies.
Marvelous World, Marvelous Effect by Troy Cle
This fantasy novel is set in East Orange, New Jersey. Louis Proof, an African American, slips into a coma after accompanying his friend to an amusement park. He wakes up with super human powers in a different dimension and battles creatures in a fight against evil.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
After a fall in which she hits her head, Naomi Porter has no memory of her life after sixth grade. When she returns to school the high school junior must deal with the people who were her friends, renew or create new friendships and accept the forgotten divorce of her parents. There are clues about her life and she has to decide what, if any, changes she wishes to make. If you could “re-invent” yourself what would you do?
Simon Bloom, the Octopus effect by Michael Reisman
In this second book of the series join
Simon and his friends on their adventure, as they use their knowledge of science and biological powers of
an octopus to fight off the evil sources, in a struggle over a book of formulas that will allow the Keeper to
control the universe.
real life
The absolutely true story of a part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Fourteen-year-old Arnold lives
on a Indian reservation, wants to be a cartoonist, but doesn’t have many friends, other than his often
violent friend Rowdy. Arnold transfers to the rich white school in a nearby town, a decision that he soon
discovers carries enormous consequences back home. Based on the author’s own experiences, this
book details how one Native American boy tries to break away from the life he assumed he had to live –
but how you can never totally break free of your past.
After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Two best friends who love rap music are looking for their “Big Purpose” in life. When “D” wanders on their street one day, two best friends become three. What’s it like out there? “D” knows. She’s cool! What happens when they roam off the block?
Big Field by Mike Lupica
When fourteen-year-old baseball player Hutch feels threatened by the arrival of a new teammate named Darryl, he tries to work through his insecurities about both Darryl and his remote and silent father, who was once a great ballplayer too.
The book thief by Marcus Zusak
This best selling book for mature readers is a sensitive and
beautifully written portrayal of life in Germany for anti Nazi sympathizers. The narrator is death and death
recounts the story of Liesel who, separated from her parents and witness to the death of her brother, is
sent to live with the Hubermans during the war. There she helps hide Max a Jew and survives by learning
to read and by stealing books. The author portrays a time and characters who cannot be forgotten.
Click by David Almon, Eoin Colfer, et al
Maggie is left a box of 7 seashells and a note with an instruction from her photojournalist grandfather, George “Gee” Keane. Each of the 10 chapters is written by a different author who unfold the puzzle of the 7 shells.
The disreputable history of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
This coming of age novel
chronicles the story of Frankie, Class of 2010, through her escapades at Alabaster, a highly competitive
boarding school. One moment she is an overweight somewhat nerdy teenager and then she morphs into
an outspoken student with a knockout boyfriend. What really clinches this story is Frankie’s inability to
take “no” for an answer when it comes to being excluded from an all male secret society at school.
Through emails, memos and a slew of hilarious directions, Frankie secretly takes charge of the Royal
Order of the Bassett Hounds and produces a series of happenings that leave the whole school and
especially the Royal Order in an uproar. Frankie proves that the female mind is to be taken seriously.
Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
Sam has very strange dreams with the number eleven. He can’t read and just before his eleventh birthday he finds a box with newspaper articles that provide a clue to his past.
Getting Air by Dan Gutman
It’s summer vacation and three friends from New Jersey are on their way to California for an awesome skateboarding experience. But their plane is hijacked by terrorists and their plans take a dramatic change.
The good thief by Hannah Tinti
This book which reminds the reader of Charles Dickens is an action
filled story of Ren, who knows nothing of his past or how he lost his hand. Ren lives at the orphanage
until one day Benjamin arrives and claims him as his long lost brother. All is not as it seems however, and
Benjamin is a con artist who sees in Ren’s handicap a way to further his schemes. All goes well until they
come to North Umbrage where they encounter a tyrant named McGinty, a well read dwarf, and make a
deal with a local surgeon to steal bodies from the cemetery. The action is fast paced and filled with twists
and turns. But in the end, Ren finds out about his true identity. This is a page turner at its best.
Revolution is not a dinner party by Ying Chang Compestine
While this award winning book
(Children’s Book of the Year 2008 and Notable Books for a Global Society) is labeled as fiction, the
author draws from her own experiences in creating the world of Ling. The reader will follow Ling as her
life changes from the protective and educated world she enjoys with her parents to that of the repressed
society she must endure during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Mexican whiteboy by Matt de la Pena
This Young Adult fiction will appeal especially to teenage boys
because of its involvement in sports. Danny is a bi-racial teenager who doesn’t get along with his
Caucasian mother and misses the Hispanic heritage of his father. During a summer he spends with his
father’s family Danny gets involved in many things especially baseball. As he becomes confident as a
pitcher, he also becomes more confident as a person.
Much ado about Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick
Middle school, cliques, boys, mothers, what more
could you ask for. The members of the Mother-Daughter book club have to deal with all this while trying
to find a way to save the home of one of their members. Although the characters in the book parallel the
characters in Anne of Green Gables you do not need to read that book (but you may want to.)
The Neddiad by Daniel Pinkwater
This is a zany book about a group of completely
unconventional characters. Neddy Wentworthstein is the son of a wealthy man who made his fortune
during the war by selling shoelaces to the military. On a whim (he wants to eat at the Brown Derby
Restaurant because it really is shaped like a hat) he moves his family to Los Angeles. The book is the
story of Neddie’s trip by train across the country. On the way he receives the sacred turtle from Melvin the
shaman, is followed by Sandor Eucalyptus the guy with the jelly bean and Sholmos Bunyip who wants to
the turtle for himself, befriends a ghost and ultimately saves civilization.
The postcard by Tony Abbot
Jason’s grandmother dies and he must go to Florida to stay with his dad.
While cleaning out her house Jason finds some very interesting items that surround the mystery of his
father’s and grandmother’s lives. This mystery-in-a-mystery will keep you engrossed with a myriad of
strange characters.
The rising star of Rusty Nail by Lesley M.M. Blume
It’s the early 1950s in a small town in
Minnesota. Fear of Communism rules the town (and the country.) Franny Hansen loves to play the piano
and her opportunity to improve her skills arrives with the new Russian wife of a local lawyer. Peer rivalry,
pranks and a mystery play an important role in Franny’s development as a pianist.
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Everyone is special in their own way. What if you were part of an extraordinary
family whose members, at age 13, discover a special, if rather odd, talent. Mibs has 2 brothers, 1 causes
hurricanes, the other creates electricity. As Mibs approaches her 13th birthday she dreams of having Xray
vision or, when her father is seriously injured, the ability to heal. With her siblings, Mibs sneaks a ride
on a bus to get to the hospital in hopes of saving him. 2009 Newbery Honor book.
Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee
Sixth grader Stanford is great at basketball – but when he flunks English big time, he finds out he has to trade basketball camp for summer school. Icckk! Then his mother hires him a tutor – know-it-all girl genius, Millicent Min – and unexpected things happen.
Also try Millicent Min, Girl Genius, for the other side of the story.
Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
When Brent Bishop makes a fatal mistake while driving, the 16-year-old
knows he needs to make amends. He finds himself sent on a strange rite of repentance – a crosscountry
journey of building whirligigs. What Brent doesn’t realize is how much an impact his newfound
hobby will have on people around the country.
Wilderness by Roddy Doyle
Tom and Johnny head off for an action-packed vacation. Traveling by dogsled in the icy north is exciting till their mom gets lost in a storm. Determined to rescue her, the brothers go where no sleds have gone before. Will there be wolves and bears? Mom, where are you?
humor
Dairy Queenand The off season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
What is it like to live and
work on a dairy farm, and then discover the love of playing football for the high school team? Not so
unusual, unless, of course, you’re a girl. D.J. Schwenk comes of age in these two humorous stories of
life, love, truth and consequence. Spend your summer in Wisconsin with the cows and D.J and her quirky
family will make you laugh.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
Greg records his 6th grade experiences where he and his friend, Rowley, hope to survive amongst the bigger students and retain their friendship.
Greg’s experiences continue in Rodrick Rules.
Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm
One girl’s horrible (and sometimes wonderful) school year, told entirely through her stuff.
My Nights at the Improv by Jan Siebold
Lizzie always has the perfect answer and the coolest comeback; except that it comes with a 30 second delay. Her timing improves as she secretly observes an improvisational theater class, which helps her to adapt in her new school and to find her true voice. You, too, could pick up some tips on how to think on your feet!
The True Meaning of Smek Day by Rex
Aliens have taken over the Earth and re-located all humans to Arizona. They have captured Tip’s mother and Tip and a renegade Boov named J. Lo set out to find her.
short stories
Best Shorts selected by Avi
This collection of short stories has something for everyone; classic stories, horror, biography, fantasy, etc. Choose a genre you like or read something different.
Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz
This book of short stories by the author of the Alex Rider series will leave you wanting even more. They are quick reads with unexpected endings, “stories you’ll wish you’d never read.”
Also available is More Horowitz Horror.
Invasion of the Road Weenies by David Lubar
Weird and wacky stories to make you laugh and shiver. Warning: Don’t read right before bed!
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Each story provides a case and a
mystery that only Sherlock Holmes can solve in his quest to bring any criminal to justice.
Troll's eye view: a book of villainous tales, edited by Ellen Dalton and Terri Windling
Everyone has a story
to tell and in this book 15 authors team up in individual stories to let us hear from such villains as the witch in Hansel
and Gretel and the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. Let’s give them a chance.
audio books
The graveyard book by Neil Gaiman
Narrated by the author who brings to life this exciting and sometimes terrifying
tale about a boy raised by kindly ghost and goblins. A 2009 Newbery medal winner!
The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz
Max Sumner and his friends form a club called the Grey Griffins, after a popular card game, and when characters from the game start to appear, it is up to Max and his friends to stop the wicked creatures from destroying their town.
Hitler Youith: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartolett
Hitler relied heavily on youth and teenagers to carry out his vision for Germany. This is the story of young people who took part in or bravely rebelled against the atrocities that occurred in Nazi Germany. The last CD contains a photo slideshow that can be viewed on a computer.
Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen
Twelve-year-old Sarny's brutal life as a slave becomes even more dangerous when a newly arrived slave offers to teach her how to read. The adventures of Sarny continue in Sarny, a life remembered.
graphic novels
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
This wordless novel is a unique experience that captures what it’s like be a new person in a strange land. Odd creatures become pets, flying machines look like ships and castles have faces. It does end up like home. Find out how it happens!
Indiana Jones by [various authors]
Hold onto your fedoras! This adventurer of film (and Disney) fame is now available in colorful graphic novel versions.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
See Matthias and the other Redwall characters come to life in this graphic version of the classic book.
in a series
Bluford High
(originally Bluford series) is written by two different authors, Paul Langan and Anne
Schrafft.
Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini
Eragon and his dragon Saphira continue their adventures in
the three books by Paolini; Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr.
Quest by Angie Sage
In book 4 of the series, Septimus Heap must find the House of Foryx, where all
time meets, to rescue Nikko and Snori. . If you like Harry Potter, you're sure to like Septimus Heap. Other
Septimus Heap titles include Magyk, Flyte, and Physik.
Vet volunteers by Laurie Halse Anderson
A series created for animal lovers who also love to solve
mysteries. Manatee Blues, Homeless and Storm Rescue are just three titles to choose from exploring
the world of injured, endangered and abandoned animals and the people who help to rescue and
rehabilitate them.
Warriors by Erin Hunter
This series has evolved with two additional series with the warrior cats as the
main characters. The additional series are The New Prophecy and The Power of Three.
oldies but goodies
Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley
In this classic horror story a monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator.
Cheaper by the dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
A dozen may be
cheaper but they are certainly no less fun in the case of the twelve Gilbreth children. Group
tonsillectomies, nuisance boyfriends, and new babies are not out of the ordinary in this Montclair
household. For their parents, industrial engineers and pioneers of motion study, Frank and Lillian
Gilbreth, more children just meant more laughter and more love. (sequel: Belles on their Toes)
The girl who loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
Luckily, Trisha had a transistor radio in her
backpack when she got lost in the forest, so she could hear the baseball games at night when she tried to
find a safe place to sleep. Will she make it out alive?
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
If the book cover gives you "the creeps”, wait till you read what’s inside.
Things not seen by Andrew Clements
“I can’t go anywhere. Clothes are supposed to have a body
inside them, and mine is missing.” His parents want him to keep his invisibility a secret but Bobby isn’t so
sure.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
Close to Shore: a true story of terror in an age of innocence by Michael Capuzzo
In My Hands: memories of a Holocaust rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke
Funny in Farsi: a memoir of growing up in America by Dumas Firoozeh
The Jump: Sebastian Telfair and the high stakes business of high school ball by Ian O’Connor
Once Upon a Quinceanera: coming of age in the USA by Julia Alvarez
Shadow Divers: the true adventure of two Americans who risked everything to solve one of the last mysteries of World War II by Robert Kurson
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
View this list and more assignment information on the School District's
website
The Glass Castle: a memoir by Jeannette Walls
Dreams from My Father: a story of race and inheritance by Barack Obama
Tuesdays with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson by Mitch Albom
One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
View this list and more assignment information on the School District's
website
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and was last updated in July 2009