As a Northside student, we ask that you read at least one novel of your choice this summer. By spending time reading, you will expand your vocabulary, give yourself examples of great writing, deepen your critical thinking skills, and build your focus and imagination.
There is no other assignment than to read and be ready to discuss your book when school starts.
The list below gives you some ideas of books that you might find interesting or give you a place to start looking. Remember, you can choose whichever book you wish to read - it does not have to be on the list below. The novels marked by an asterisk (*) indicate books on Northside’s approved book list. If you are interested in other titles not on the approved book list, we encourage you to do some research and speak with your family before selecting a title.
Please email Matthew Clarson (matthew.clarson@nisd.net) with any questions.
You can check out digital books through your school’s library on Sora, Libby, or the San Antonio Public Library.
For more info on Summer Reading at any level NISD Library Services has created an excellent Summer Reading resource page that can be viewed from any student account.
Happy Reading!
*Summer reading is required for Advanced ELA in grades 6-8 but open to all students.
Suggested Book Titles by Popular Topics
What’s Love Got To Do With It? (Romance)
- Beastly by Alex Flinn*
- Drama by Raina Telgemeir
- The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya*
- Shug by Jenny Han*
- Twilight by Stephenie Meyer*
There’s No Place Like Home (Sci Fi, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic)
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer*
- City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau*
- Legend by Marie Lu*
- Matched by Ally Condie*
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld*
That’s Sus (Mystery)
- 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan*
- Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan*
- Holes by Louis Sachar*
- Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass*
- Masterminds by Gordon Kormon*
A Picture in Time (Historical Novels)
- A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen*
- The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose*
- Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse*
- Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys* (8th Grade)
- They Called Us Enemy by George Takei*
Who Runs the World? (Books with Strong Female Protagonists)
- Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry*
- The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill *
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins *
- Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee *
- Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman*
- The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin *
Boy Meets World (Books with Strong Male Protagonists)
- Crash by Jerry Spinelli*
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen*
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan*
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner*
- Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan*
Middle School Mirrors (Relatable Stories of Middle School)
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
- Schooled by Gordon Korman*
- The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman*
- Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli*
- Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson *
Leaving Our Mark on the World (Coming of Age)
- American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang*
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson*
- The Crossover by Kwame Alexander*
- Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick*
- Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick*
- Ghost by Jason Reynolds*
So True! (Nonfiction & Memoir)
- Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (young readers edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer*
- Guts by Gary Paulsen*
- How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of The Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg*
- I am Malala* by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafazi (Young Reader’s Edition Available)
- They Called Us Enemy by George Takei*
* Indicates vetted, approved titles from NISD
