Best Books for 8th Graders

Embark on a perilous quest with hobbit Frodo and his companions as they journey across Middle-earth to destroy the powerful One Ring, which threatens to fall into the hands of the evil Dark Lord, Sauron. Follow the journey of the Fellowship of the Ring, made up of a wizard, hobbits, dwarves, elves, and soldiers, as they battle through forests, mountains, and dark towers to save their world. Discover the epic tale of good versus evil, courage, friendship, and sacrifice in this timeless classic.

A gripping exploration of teenage gun violence, Long Way Down takes place in just sixty seconds as fifteen-year-old Will decides whether or not to seek revenge for his brother's murder. Told in a series of short, powerful verses, Will's journey on an elevator brings him face-to-face with those connected to his brother's death and the grim realities of street justice. Written by bestselling author Jason Reynolds, this fierce novel is a must-read for anyone looking to confront the devastating impact of gun violence on youth culture today.

A dystopian tale set in Chicago, where society is divided into five factions, each representing a particular virtue. Sixteen-year-olds must choose their faction, deciding their future. Beatrice surprises everyone by choosing to leave her family and find her true self. She's initiated into an extreme physical and psychological testing regime, during which she must make friends and navigate a complicated romance. But Beatrice keeps a dangerous secret that could mean her death or the salvation of those she loves as she uncovers growing unrest and conflict in her seemingly perfect society.

In "The Inheritance Games", Avery Grambs inherits a massive fortune from billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, but there's a catch – she doesn't know why. To receive her inheritance, she must move into his cryptic mansion and outsmart his four dangerous grandsons who believe she's a con-artist. A thrilling and deadly Cinderella story filled with puzzles, riddles, and codes.

This classic American novel tells the story of a young girl growing up in a sleepy Southern town and the moral crisis that shakes her community to its core. With universal themes of innocence and experience, love and hate, and kindness and cruelty, this Pulitzer Prize-winning book has sold over 18 million copies and been translated into forty languages. Harper Lee's simple love story is now regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Experience the highs and lows of high school in this coming-of-age tale. Follow the journey of a teenager as he navigates first dates, family drama, new friends, and the thrills and dangers of sex and drugs. Along the way, discover the power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Don't miss out on this poignant and wild ride of growing up.

This hilarious sci-fi adventure follows Arthur Dent, a man saved from Earth's destruction by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Using advice from the guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have"), they traverse space with eccentric characters like Zaphod Beeblebrox and the depressed robot Marvin. Get ready for a galaxy full of laughs and absurdity.

Twins Noah and Jude were once inseparable, but something has divided them in devastating ways. As they each tell their story - Noah's from the early years and Jude's from the later years - they discover that they only have half the story. If they want to remake their world, they must find a way back to each other. This award-winning novel will leave you breathless, teary, and laughing all at once.

When five high school students walk into detention, only four walk out alive. The brain, the beauty, the criminal, the athlete, and the outcast all have something to hide and are all suspects in the murder of the creator of the school's gossip app. Will you be able to solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? One of Us Is Lying is a thrilling and suspenseful page-turner that explores the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

This how-to guide offers strategies for establishing classrooms that give students globally connected literacy experiences. Learn why students must create school projects aimed at an authentic audience beyond school walls, and discover how to use technology to create classrooms where students gain 21st century skills, collaborate with others around the globe, and realize that their work matters. Gain tips for creating authentic and successful global collaborative projects, and consider classroom situations that illustrate the global literacy environment at work.