Month 1: Historical Fiction
“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by John Boyne – Explore the friendship between Bruno, a German boy, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy in a concentration camp, during World War II.
“Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein – Follow the gripping tale of a young female spy during World War II as she faces danger, betrayal, and resilience.
“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor – Dive into the story of the Logan family, African American landowners in the 1930s, as they confront racism and fight for justice in Mississippi.
Month 2: Fantasy and Adventure
“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien – Join Bilbo Baggins on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland from the fearsome dragon Smaug in this epic fantasy adventure.
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan – Discover a world where Greek gods and mythical creatures exist as Percy Jackson, a demigod, embarks on a thrilling quest to prevent a war among the gods.
“Eragon” (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini – Immerse yourself in the world of Alagaësia as Eragon, a young dragon rider, battles dark forces and fights for justice.
Month 3: Mystery and Suspense
“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie – Engage in a thrilling whodunit as ten strangers are lured to an isolated island and one by one, they start dying under mysterious circumstances.
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry – Enter a seemingly perfect society where Jonas discovers the dark secrets behind his community’s utopian facade.
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon – Follow Christopher Boone, a teenager with autism, as he investigates the death of his neighbor’s dog and uncovers surprising truths about his own life.
Month 4: 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.
“Divergent” (Divergent Trilogy) by Veronica Roth – Explore a future society divided into factions and follow Tris Prior as she navigates dangerous initiation tests and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens her world.
“Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card – Join Ender Wiggin as he trains in a futuristic military academy to become Earth’s greatest weapon against an alien invasion.
Month 5: Poetry and Verse
“The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo – Experience the power of spoken word poetry through the voice of Xiomara, a young Dominican-American girl finding her place and her voice.
“A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein – Delight in the witty and imaginative poems of Shel Silverstein, exploring topics ranging from silly creatures to everyday life.
“The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander – Dive into the world of basketball and family dynamics through the captivating and rhythmic verse of this novel in verse.
Month 6: Historical and Cultural Tales
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee – Witness the story of Scout Finch as she learns about racial injustice and moral courage in the racially charged atmosphere of 1930s Alabama.
“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.
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – Follow Liesel Meminger’s journey as she discovers the power of words and finds solace in books during World War II.
Month 7: Coming-of-Age Stories
“The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton – Explore the world of rival gangs in this classic coming-of-age story that explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the divisions of social class.
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie – Join Junior as he navigates life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and attends an all-white school, challenging stereotypes and discovering his own path.
“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio – Follow Auggie Pullman, a young boy with a facial deformity, as he starts attending public school for the first time, facing both challenges and acceptance.
Month 8: Realistic Fiction
“Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson – Enter the imaginative world of Jess and Leslie as they create their own kingdom of Terabithia, using their friendship to overcome difficulties.
“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green – Experience the poignant love story of Hazel and Gus, two teenagers living with cancer, as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and mortality.
“Out of My Mind” by Sharon M. Draper – Follow the journey of Melody, a nonverbal girl with cerebral palsy, as she finds her voice and challenges the prejudices and misconceptions surrounding her.
Month 9: Non-Fiction and Biographies
“I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban” 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.
“Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation): An Olympian’s Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive” by Laura Hillenbrand – Dive into the true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete turned World War II prisoner of war, and his extraordinary tale of survival, resilience, and forgiveness.