2026 SummerReads ~ Grades 7/8 by PikeSchoolLibrary

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:34:52 UTC

American Indian Youth Literature Award: honoring work by and about American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Asian/Pacific American Literature Award: honoring work about Asian/Pacific American heritage.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award: outstanding book published internationally.
Pura Belpré Award: excellent portrayal of the Latinx experience.
Randolph Caldecott Award: distinguished illustration.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: distinguished book for beginning readers.
Coretta Scott King Book Award: appreciation of African American culture.
John Newbery Award: distinguished writing.
Odyssey Award: best audiobook production.
Michael L. Printz Award: literary excellence in young adult literature.
Schneider Family Award: artistic expression of the disability experience.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal: distinguished informational book.
Stonewall Award: exceptional merit relating to the GLBT experience.
Sydney Taylor Book Award: authentic portrayal of the Jewish experience.

Harper has never been interested in horses... until she meets Phoenix.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:36:15 UTC

Harper moves to a new town near a riding barn. She ends up caring for a mistreated horse whom she eventually ends up riding.

This summer, beware of sharks...

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:36:26 UTC

Kaylani is spending the summer Martha's Vineyard and is shocked to find herself involved in a dangerous mystery.

"A volcano erupts, a creature awakens, and the sun goes out."

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:36:50 UTC

A nonfiction account that explores how Mount Tambora's eruption in 1815 affected the world and inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. A 2026 Sibert Informational Honor book.

Roberto becomes involved in the fight for the rights of his Mexican American community.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:38:20 UTC

Based on a true story, this novel in verse follows Roberto as he challenges school segregation laws in 1931. A 2026 Pura Belpré Honor book and a 2026 Newbery Honor book.

In 1941, the German armies have invaded Europe, but Iran remains a neutral country occupied by both British and Soviet forces.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:38:32 UTC

An epic adventure of two siblings who must make their way across the mountains of Iran where they meet a Jewish boy hiding from a Nazi spy. A 2026 Newbery Honor book.

Two interconnected stories set in China in the year 731 and New York City’s Chinatown in 1931.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:38:52 UTC

A story spanning more than 1,000 years! A historical fiction novel set in two different time periods from the author of the Vanderbeekers series. A 2026 Newbery Honor book.

Kareem dreams of becoming the first Syrian American NFL player, but first he needs to make his middle school team.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:44:10 UTC

7th grader Kareem navigates the struggles of middle school, sports, friends, and family in this novel in verse.

A powerful tale of self-discovery and community.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:44:24 UTC

Henson is a beloved superstar athlete in Great Mountain, Mississippi who is forced to speak out about injustices which leads to a divide in the town. A 2026 Coretta Scott King Honor book.

The beloved soccer team captain has gone missing and two teammates try to solve the mystery of her disappearance.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:45:41 UTC

It's not like Ella to miss a big game, so the team is shocked when she misses the most important game of the season!

An orphan during WWII finds the courage to save a racehorse and join the Resistance.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:47:45 UTC

Set in France during WWII, orphan Lucas longs for freedom from the occupation as well as a chance to show his bravery. Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz.

Twins Ash and Sloane are spending the summer at animation camp!

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 18:54:08 UTC

It's a summer to remember at animation camp but soon challenging work and new friendships drive a wedge between the siblings. A realistic fiction graphic novel!

Valentina only has a year to fall in love and break a family curse.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 19:09:26 UTC

Sparks fly in this fantastic graphic novel. A 2025 Asian/Pacific American Literature Honor book.

"The negative Voice inside my head talks non-stop..."

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-02 19:09:46 UTC

Jake's life is controlled by the Voice - it yells at him to exercise more and eat less... to make himself invisible. This intense novel in verse is a 2025 Schneider Family Honor book.

“Once upon a time, a very long time ago now, about last Friday, Winnie-the-Pooh lived in a forest...”

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 00:59:27 UTC

Winnie-the-Pooh and the Pike School share a birthday! The heartwarming adventures of Christopher Robin and his trusted animal friends are timeless, and are enhanced by E.H. Shepard’s iconic illustrations.

The story of "Winnipeg," from a lonely train station and World War I training, to a London zoo, and finally, to the hearts and minds of children and adults everywhere.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 00:59:53 UTC

Did you know that A.A. Milne was inspired to write Winnie-the-Pooh after discovering a real bear at the London Zoo? Discover how veterinarian Harry Colebourn, Mattick’s great-grandfather, came to adopt a bear cub during World War I. Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal.

Explore the stories behind your favorite foods while trying new recipes.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:00:34 UTC

Grace Lin explores legends and little-known facts about all kinds of American Chinese food. Watch her "One-Minute Myths" to have the stories come alive. Grace Lin, who lives in central Massachusetts, visited Pike in 2013.

"When you can fill the gym, you can share it!"

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:00:52 UTC

It’s 1972, the year of the Title IX Supreme Court decision prohibiting sex-based discrimination in any school. When Judi hears that her Indiana high school will start a girl’s basketball team, she is all in. Even indignities like not getting gym time like the boys, or having to make their own uniforms, don’t stop her and her teammates for advocating for a place on the court. Matt Tavares, Pike’s visiting author in 2009, based this graphic novel on actual events.

"The reason you remind yourself of the stupid stuff you've done in the past is so you don't do it again."

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:01:30 UTC

Jack has all kinds of plans for summer vacation - but after an unfortunate accident with his father’s World War II rifle, he is 100% grounded. Even so, his summer turns out to be full of hilarious adventures. In 2006, Jack Gantos was the first author to visit Pike as part of the library's new visiting author program. He was also a visiting author in young Jarrett Krosoczka’s elementary school, building Jarrett’s confidence as a young writer and illustrator.

Rachel’s seventh grade year is off to a fabulous start - until -

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:01:48 UTC

she meets with a Boston specialist and he reveals a crushing diagnosis - scoliosis. This means wearing a back brace 23 hours a day in hopes that the abnormal curve in her spine will improve. She’ll just have to stay optimistic and be innovative in how she navigates her world. Pike alumna Alyson Gerber brings a unique authenticity - and plenty of Pike and Andover insider references - to her debut novel. Pike was lucky to host Alyson in 2024 as part of the release of her new mystery series, The Liars Society.

How do you move an entire beehive?

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:02:47 UTC

Follow along as a bee-rescue expert painstakingly relocates a mature hive of bees from a barn to a hive - all with no stings! Beautiful close-up photographs bring the action to life, and were a key consideration for 4th grade students when they voted this title their Mock Sibert co-winner in 2023.

"All living things, from the tallest trees and longest whales, to the smallest birds, butterflies, and bees, are made of cells - just like you."

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:03:04 UTC

Explore the realm of humanity, from the basic building blocks of our DNA to the vastness of the Milky Way and beyond through exquisite artwork and engaging writing.

4th grade students voted The Universe in You as their 2023 Mock Sibert co-winner, and were thrilled to present Jason Chin a medal in person during his visit to Pike in the same year.

"Books help kids! What do they think will happen?!"

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:03:20 UTC

Molly and her friends are psyched about their afterschool book club - until the club’s advisor is disciplined and “controversial” books are removed from her classroom library. They decide to take action and fight censorship. Massachusetts author Dana Alison Levy visited with Upper School students in 2024 to discuss this book, and the right to read.

Powerful poetry illuminates the trauma of war.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:07:30 UTC

2014. In an instant, Amira’s life in her Sudanese village is wiped away in a vicious attack by the militia. Suddenly, she is a refugee, without a home and without a voice. Can a simple gift of a red pencil help her heal? This powerful novel in verse by Pike’s 2017 visiting author explores the power of creativity.

Respecting the game is more important than winning.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 01:29:10 UTC

The new kid at a high-powered boarding school, Jake is excited to join the lacrosse team, but soon realizes that their approach conflicts with his values as an Iroquois. Joseph Bruchac and his son Jessie visited Pike in 2011.

It's time for Hafsa's story! Can Hafsa push back against family expectations and follow her dream of studying science?

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 14:20:37 UTC

Hafsa dreams of becoming a doctor and is thrilled to be accepted into a prestigious summer science camp, but she finds herself clashing with her family over her ambitions. A follow up to Amal Unbound and Omar Rising from visiting author Aisha Saeed.

A House of Secrets, A War of Codes.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 14:25:30 UTC

Enter the world of WWII codebreakers as two siblings work to uncover a mystery surrounding their mother's disappearance.

Anna couldn't wait for camp, but when world outside goes dark, Anna and her friends are in for the adventure of their lives.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 14:53:14 UTC

A summer camp survival thriller that is perfect for fans of Alone and Away.

Meet Coach as a boy striving to come into his own as a track star.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 15:01:13 UTC

In book five of the popular Track series, we travel back to 1988 when Coach was a 7th grader navigating his own middle school experience around sports, friends, and family.

Fans of Skandar and Eragon, this new series is for you!

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 15:06:42 UTC

Lunar Jones is one of the few remaining inhabitants of Mars and is desperate to save everyone. A fabulous science fiction - fantasy mashup.

"Aren’t Mexico and Guatemala basically the same place?"

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 15:07:07 UTC

Almudena has a challenging summer ahead - she has to stay with her father, whom she's never met, in a rundown apartment building. This graphic novel is the winner of the 2025 Printz Award.

A sea ghost, a mortal boy, and a dangerous enchanted harpoon . . .

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 15:16:04 UTC

Graciela, a sea ghost, assists her friend, Amina, in welcoming newly awakened sea ghosts from their death sleep.

Gonzalo has never considered himself the hero of his own story. Can a summer road trip change his mind?

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-03 15:21:54 UTC

Over the course of ten epic days on the road, Gonzalo and his grandfather will slay demons, real and imagined, confront old stories to write new ones, and learn what it truly means to show up for your family. A 2026 Pura Belpré Honor book.

Powwow is almost here and Anang dreams of making a ribbon skirt.

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-04 12:56:07 UTC

A graphic novel that beautifully tells the story of Anang who is two-spirit and nonbinary and isn't sure what the community will think of them wearing a ribbon skirt, but they are determined to make one! A 2026 American Indian Youth Literature Honor book.

The Flicker, a solar flare has scorched Earth’s surface. Who else has survived?

PikeSchoolLibrary — 2026-06-04 14:49:32 UTC

Step-sisters Millie and Rose are desperate to find any family - and avoid the menacing gang called the Hive. A 2025 Stonewall Honor book.