Best Books for 7th Graders

In this New York Times bestseller, A Long Walk to Water, readers are taken on a journey through two interwoven stories of two Sudanese children- a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. Nya ventures on a two-hour walk twice a day to fetch water while Salva, a lost boy, treks the African continent searching for family and safety. From loneliness to encounters with deadly lions and crocodiles, Salva's journey is one of survival as it eventually intersects with Nya's in a touching and astonishing way.

In a world where the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to a witch, one year a baby is filled with extraordinary magic. The witch, Xan, decides to raise the girl as her own, but as her thirteenth birthday approaches, Luna's magic begins to emerge with dangerous consequences. With deadly birds and a young man determined to kill the witch, tensions rise in a captivating novel that won the 2017 Newbery Medal.

A young boy is put on house arrest for stealing his sick brother's expensive medicine. Now he must prove he's not a delinquent by following a court-ordered journal for a year. If he messes up, he's headed back to juvie. Can he make it through 365 days without slipping up? It's only one year, right?

A young girl named Ellie is tired of being shamed about her weight and tries to cope with the "Fat Girl Rules." Her safe space is in the water where she feels weightless and can take up as much space as she wants. Ellie finds allies in her dad, therapist, and new neighbor who support her as she learns to embrace herself and let go of the rules.

Exploring a seemingly perfect society, this novel follows twelve-year-old Jonas as he uncovers the disturbing truths that lie beneath the surface. Only with his new position as the Receiver is he able to grasp the complex and dark realities of his utopian world.

Undefeated is an astonishing underdog sports story that goes beyond the football field. It follows the remarkable journey of Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner, who met in 1907 at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania. Together, they formed one of the most successful teams in football history, challenging the elite and vowing to become a powerhouse in American football. But this book is more than just a sports tale. It sheds light on the violent persecution of Native Americans by the U.S. government and the school's mission to erase their cultures. Undefeated is a story of resilience, determination, and the refusal to accept defeat.

This powerful and heartbreaking story centers around a 12-year-old black boy who is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, he watches the aftermath of his death and meets Emmett Till, a boy from a different time with a similar story. Through their encounters, Jerome realizes how historical racism may have played a part in his death. The story also explores the struggles of the police officer's daughter, as she grapples with her father's actions. Overall, this poignant and gripping tale weaves historical and socio-political layers to help one boy understand the complexities of being black in America.

In a world where being labeled Unwanted means certain death, Alex faces a different fate when he discovers a magical place called Artimé. There, he and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. But when a threat arises and pits brother against brother, Alex's bond with his twin Aaron is put to the test in an ultimate magical battle. Get ready for a wondrous transformation in this captivating tale.

A beautifully written middle-grade debut, this novel tells the story of four determined homeless children who form a family and survive on the dangerous streets of Chennai, India. Padma Venkatraman infuses the story with hope and bravery that will inspire readers, as the children use their instincts and grit to make a life for themselves. However, when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.

A graphic novel perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, about a seventh grader named Jordan Banks who's struggling to fit in at a prestigious private school known for its lack of diversity. Follow Jordan as he tries to navigate his new school culture while staying true to himself and keeping his neighborhood friends.