Month 1: Historical Fiction
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – Follow the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl living in Nazi Germany, as she discovers the power of words and finds solace in books during a time of war.
“The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963” by Christopher Paul Curtis – Join the Watson family on their journey from Flint, Michigan, to Birmingham, Alabama, during a pivotal time in the Civil Rights Movement.
“Chains” by Laurie Halse Anderson – Experience the hardships and resilience of Isabel, a young enslaved girl, as she navigates the Revolutionary War and fights for her freedom.
Month 2: Fantasy and Adventure
“The Lightning Thief” (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series) by Rick Riordan – Discover the thrilling world of Greek mythology as Percy Jackson, a demigod, embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods.
“Eragon” (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini – Dive into the epic fantasy world of Alagaësia as Eragon, a young dragon rider, battles evil forces and fights for justice.
“The Golden Compass” (His Dark Materials Series) by Philip Pullman – Join Lyra Belacqua on a daring adventure across parallel universes as she unravels the mysteries surrounding a powerful and dangerous artifact.
Month 3: Biographies and Memoirs
“I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World” by Malala Yousafzai – Discover the inspiring story of Malala, a young advocate for girls’ education, and her fight against the Taliban in Pakistan.
“Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition” by Margot Lee Shetterly – Uncover the remarkable contributions of four African American women mathematicians during the Space Race.
“Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank – Experience the poignant and powerful diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II.
Month 4: Mystery and Detective Stories
“The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin – Solve the intricate puzzle and unravel the mystery of the Westing family fortune in this gripping and suspenseful novel.
“The Secret Keepers” by Trenton Lee Stewart – Follow Reuben, a young boy with a mysterious watch, as he uncovers a secret society and battles against a dangerous enemy.
“The Girl Who Drank the Moon” by Kelly Barnhill – Dive into a magical world where Luna, a young girl, discovers her extraordinary powers and the truth about her past.
Month 5: Science Fiction and Dystopian
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins – Enter the dystopian world of Panem, where Katniss Everdeen volunteers for the Hunger Games and becomes a symbol of rebellion against an oppressive regime.
“Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card – Follow Ender Wiggin as he trains in a futuristic military academy to become Earth’s greatest weapon against an alien invasion.
“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner – Join Thomas as he wakes up in a maze with no memory of his past and discovers a dangerous secret that could change everything.
Month 6: Poetry and Verse
“Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse – Experience life during the Great Depression through the poetic voice of Billie Jo as she faces challenges, loss, and hope in the Dust Bowl era.
“Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson – Immerse yourself in the moving and lyrical verse memoir of Jacqueline Woodson as she reflects on her childhood and experiences as an African American girl growing up in the 1960s and 1970s.
“Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein – Delight in the whimsical and imaginative poems of Shel Silverstein, exploring topics ranging from friendship to silly creatures.
Month 7: Historical and Cultural Tales
“A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park – Follow the intertwining stories of Nya, a young girl in Sudan, and Salva, a Sudanese refugee, as they navigate the challenges of survival and hope.
“Esperanza Rising” by Pam Muñoz Ryan – Journey with Esperanza as she leaves behind a privileged life in Mexico and adapts to a new and difficult existence as a migrant worker in California during the Great Depression.
“The War That Saved My Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – Witness the transformative journey of Ada, a young girl with a disability, as she escapes her abusive home and finds love and belonging during World War II.
Month 8: Animal Tales
“The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate – Enter the world of Ivan, a gorilla living in captivity, as he finds hope, friendship, and a longing for freedom.
“Call of the Wild” by Jack London – Experience the thrilling adventure of Buck, a domesticated dog turned sled dog in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.
“The Incredible Journey” by Sheila Burnford – Follow the extraordinary journey of two dogs and a cat as they navigate the Canadian wilderness in their quest to find their human family.
Month 9: Adventure and Survival
“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen – Experience the gripping story of Brian, a young boy stranded in the Canadian wilderness, as he learns to survive with only a hatchet.
“Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell – Embark on an unforgettable journey with Karana, a young Native American girl, as she survives alone on an island off the coast of California.
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry – Enter a seemingly perfect society where Jonas discovers the dark secrets behind his community’s utopian facade.