The holiday season is the perfect time for middle school students to get
some rest in before the new semester. The weather is cool and they have
time to catch up on some fun reading. Here are some books you can buy
to encourage holiday reading or add to their festive gift list:
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Students reply to a newspaper advert and have to pass a series of tests
in order to qualify for the team which embarks on a mysterious investigation.
The students go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened
where they discover all manner of secrets.
The Harry Potter Box Set
If your student hasn’t experienced the joys of the Hogwart’s
School of Wizardry, then this will make a gift of epic proportions. It
doesn’t matter if they have already watched the movies; the books
are far more action-packed and intricate and will still be a thrilling read.
The Giver
This coming-of-age novel investigates the world where Jonas lives free
of choices, pain or war, until (at the age of 12) he is exposed to these
elements by the Giver. This is a great novel and your student will not
be able to put it down!
The Hobbit
Try to get your student to read this before going to see the movie. The
Hobbit is a classic for good reason as readers are taken on scintillatinly
exciting adventures with Bilbo Baggins as he sets off from the Shire with
Gandalf the wizard to battle dragons for stolen treasure.
Holes
When Stanley Yelnats goes to Camp Green Lakes for the summer, he is transported
to a desert devoid of any greenery at all. As Stanley’s summer takes
a turn for the worse, he is accused of stealing a pair of shoes and made
to dig holes in the desert sand. He soon figures out that the dastardly
camp leader is searching for a hidden treasure…
Twilight Saga
This is a favorite that will have your student sitting on the edge of their
seats as they enter the intriguing world of vampires and werewolves and
follow the tales of Isabella Swan and her romance with 100 year-old vampire
Edward Cullen.
Esperanza Rising
Esperanza lived on her affluent family ranch in Mexico until the Great
Depression forces her and her mother to flee to California. Esperanza
must learn to face life as a farm worker, as well as overcome the hardships
of their new financial difficulties to carve out a life in her new home.
Artemis Fowl
Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old with a difference; millionaire, genius
and criminal mastermind. Artemis bites off more than he can chew when
he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit.
