The outdoor adventure novels of Gary Paulsen I have found to be interesting and engaging particularly for reluctant readers:
The mystery and drama novels of Peg Kehret are typically some of the most read books each year:
- Abduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fHs4JaCQA8
- Cages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbNbFv0uK7g
- Spy Cat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSr72-LTLYQ
- Runaway Twin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zNcCNJe10g
- Earthquake Terror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGMNQTcrcjc
The sports novels of Carl Deuker, Tim Green and Mike Lupica are for those interested in sports such as football, basketball and baseball:
- Heat (Mike Lupica) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHCbSp6XbkQ
- Night Hoops (Carl Deuker) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASOtoXjp7ic
- Football Genius (Tim Green) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zswVFIwI2cE
The fantasy novel genre features some of my all-time favorites stories! Keep in mind, fantasy stories tend to be longer - keep this in mind in sticking to the goal of two books per month.
- The Red Pyramid (Rick Riordan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAjrdCHKs6Y
- Warriors: Into the Wild (Erin Hunter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVan7hgtRgQ
- Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af6ltMcmE80
- Gregor the Overlander (Suzanne Collins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwMsvpHzixM&feature=kp
- Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark (Ridley Pearson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqDQCvNLFzE
- The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzeFFsKEt4
- Eragon (Christopher Paolini) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7not43ID0A
- The Lost Hero (Rick Riordan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsquP0gehj4
- Tunnels (Roderick Gordon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCxOB8BEIZY
- The City of Ember (Jeanna Duprau) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04e4SEXQU9s
- Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (James Patterson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jt_hy_n6ag
- The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Mary Pearson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnk1zPw_PHc&feature=kp
Here are some of the most-read novels in the realistic fiction genre:
- Schooled (Gordon Kormon) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaQ3Cxq5D8s
- Touching Spirit Bear (Ben Mikaelson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7uLn05Yhck
- Ungifted (Gordon Kormon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1f6NgZV_UA
- Al Capone Does My Shirts (Gennifer Choldenko) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJpkQ1ZUbwc
- Stranded (Jeff Probst) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGN1WDhAfeU
- 11 Birthdays (Wendy Mass) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u93lihL_uWg
- Because of Mr. Terupt (Rob Buyea) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-FkV_DBrAg
- Wonder (R.J. Palacio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOXDD3atWco
- Stargirl (Jerry Spinelli) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGfl2l23lMk
- Small Steps - Sequel to Holes (Louis Sachar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Daxghd_yE
- The Name of This Book is ? (Pseudonymous Bosch) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_l7WS9tkvo
- Rules (Cynthia Lord) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxNGaC-bbRA
- Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (John Grisham) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQtOypedlis
- Alex Rider: Stormbreaker (Anthony Horowitz) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX9iibfy4K4
- Silverfin (Charlie Higson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mAUqqIJeSU
The genre of dystopian science fiction is popular with many middle school students, particularly those in the upper grades. Keep in mind, these kinds of novels may not be appropriate for all students. The novels listed here are for a PG-13 audience due to violence, death and disturbing situations. I would not recommend these books for everyone: The Testing series, Matched series, Divergent series, The Maze Runner series, Hunger Games series and The 5th Wave series, Ender's Game
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Explanation of 6th Grade Reading Program - /uploads/3/7/8/7/3787348/reading_parent_letter.doc
Common Sense Media Website - This will identify any content in a novel that might be objectionable. This is a good way to help make sure the major ideas in a novel match your values. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Boys Read - This is a website with ideas especially for reluctant readers http://www.boysread.org/
Kids Read - Book reviews written by kids http://www.kidsreads.com/
Good Reads - Ranks the most popular books by age group https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/22035.Best_Tween_Teen_YA_Books
Common Sense Media Website - This will identify any content in a novel that might be objectionable. This is a good way to help make sure the major ideas in a novel match your values. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Boys Read - This is a website with ideas especially for reluctant readers http://www.boysread.org/
Kids Read - Book reviews written by kids http://www.kidsreads.com/
Good Reads - Ranks the most popular books by age group https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/22035.Best_Tween_Teen_YA_Books