Summer Reading for NCCS Middle School Students 2024

Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Medal winner and illustrator of over one hundred books, tells the story of his childhood and how he developed his artistic talent. Grades 3-7

A narrative nonfiction about how the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre, how the robbery made the portrait the most famous artwork in the world-and how the painting by Leonardo da Vinci should never have existed at all. Grades 4-8 (Lexile:780).

Legendary photographers Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams all photographed the Japanese American incarceration, but with different approaches-and different results. This nonfiction picture book for middle grade readers examines the Japanese-American incarceration-and the complexity of documenting it-through the work of these three photographers. Grades 6-9 (Lexile: 990)

An inside look at the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, This Boy is a perfect book for any young reader embracing their inner Beatlemania. Grades 5-8

Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Medal winner and illustrator of over one hundred books, tells the story of his childhood and how he developed his artistic talent. Grades 3-7

Jeanne Villepreux-Power was never expected to be a scientist. Born in 1794 in a French village more than 100 miles from the ocean, she pursued an improbable path that brought her to the island of Sicily. There, she took up natural history and solved the two-thousand-year-old mystery of how of the argonaut octopus gets its shell. In an era when most research focused on dead specimens, Jeanne was determined to experiment on living animals. And to keep sea creatures alive for her studies, she had to invent a contraption to hold them―the aquarium. Grades 5-8 (Lexile: 1220)

Math in space, sports calculations, symmetry in nature, weird math facts, math in art, and mind-boggling number conundrums are just some of the topics explored in this fascinating, illustrated look at math. Grades 2-5

From a lowly mixture of stone, sand, water, and cement have sprung sidewalks, streets, and skyscrapers, . . . lighthouses and . . . palaces, long bridges and massive dams. In ancient building practices, in modern engineering, and in the architecture of the future, humble concrete plays a mighty role in the creation of the human-made world. Grades 2-5

The city of Paris wanted to tear down the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and amateur scientist, had built the incredible structure for the 1889 World's Fair. Created using cutting-edge technology, it stood taller than any other building in the world! More than a million delighted people flocked to visit it during the fair. But the officials wondered, beyond being a spectacle, what is it good for? It must come down! But Eiffel loved his tower. He crafted a clever plan to make the tower too useful to tear down by turning it into "a laboratory such as science has never had at its disposal." As the date for the tower's demolition approached, Eiffel raced to prove its worth. Could science save the Eiffel Tower? Grades 2-5

For fans of David Macaulay, this beautiful picture book explains the technology of how the world's most impressive architectural marvels work. Grades 2-5

Explores why and how people have constructed taller and taller buildings over the course of human history. Grades 4-8

A stunning and intimate biography of Margaret Hamilton, the computer engineer who helped Apollo 11 and mankind get from the Earth to the moon. First-hand accounts, exclusive interviews with the legendary Margaret Hamilton, and detailed science populate the pages of this remarkable biography. In 1969, mankind successfully left our atmosphere and landed on the moon. It took countless hours of calculations, training, wonder, and sacrifice from all of the men and women who worked hard to make that landing. One of those people was Margaret Hamilton. A young computer engineer, Hamilton was hired to develop the completely new software used in the groundbreaking Apollo Space Program. Soon she became the lead engineer, one of the few women in the almost entirely male-dominated profession. But it wasn't always easy. Grades 6-9 (Lexile: 1100)

An exploration of seaweed's role in marine ecosystems and climate change solutions. Grade 3-6

Antarctica is a land of extremes--the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest place on the planet. It's a world where the sun stays hidden half of the year and where visitors must undergo a week of special training before it's safe to go outside (watch out for lava bombs!). It's also a place of stark beauty, history, and endless scientific research. Join author G. Neri on his long-dreamed-of voyage to the ice, where he taps into his inner child and encounters sea angels, mummified seals, space robots, inquisitive penguins, and so much more. Grades 3-6

Over the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Adapting from her New York Times-bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning adult nonfiction, Elizabeth Kolbert explores how humans are altering life on Earth. Grades 5-8

The gripping inside story of the ongoing landmark lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, brought against the US government by twenty-one young people. Grade 6-10

This is the life story of Cudjo Lewis, as told by himself.

Of the millions of men, women, and children transported from Africa to America to be enslaved, eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis was then the only person alive to tell the story of his capture and bondage—fifty years after the Atlantic human trade was outlawed in the United States. Cudjo shared his firsthand account with legendary folklorist, anthropologist, and writer Zora Neale Hurston.

Adapted with care and delivered with age-appropriate historical context by award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi, Cudjo’s incredible story is now available for young readers and emerging scholars. With powerful illustrations by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, this poignant work is an invaluable contribution to our shared history and culture. Grades 5-8

Takes the long view of the land’s history, from its earliest formation and inhabitants up through today, and challenges its readers to think critically about the stories we tend to take for granted about our own history. Meet those indigenous to the deserts, prairies, forests, and shores of the land called Turtle Island and their relatives whose ideas formed the basis of the Constitution and who contributed in unique ways to World War II and more. Meet immigrant communities who came to the land from all around the world—at different times and against all odds, even with staunch United States immigration policies. And meet enslaved ancestors who were brought to the land against their will and whose labor and experience changed the story forever. Grades 3-6

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to refugees. Grades 3-6

A feminist-forward new collection of poetry celebrating the little-known women poets of the Harlem Renaissance--paired with full-color, original art from today's most talented female African-American illustrators. Grades 5-8

In a rich embroidery of visions, musical cadence, and deep emotion, Andrea and Brian Pinkney convey the final months of Martin Luther King's life -- and of his assassination -- through metaphor, spirituality, and multi-layers of meaning.

Andrea's stunning poetic requiem, illustrated with Brian's lyrical and colorful artwork -- brings a fresh perspective to Martin Luther King, the Gandhi-like, peace-loving activist whose dream of equality -- and whose courage to make it happen -- changed the course of American history. And even in his death, he continues to transform and inspire all of us who share his dream. Grades 4+ (Lexile: 730)

What can you find in a poem about a robin's nest? Irene Latham ... discovers 'nestlings, ' or smaller poems about [a] ... variety of subjects--emotions, wild animals, natural landmarks on all seven continents, even planets and constellations. Each poem is a ... spark of wonder that will prompt readers to look at the world afresh. Grades 3-8

Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem by the Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover and artwork from a two-time Caldecott Honoree is a love letter to black life in the United States, highlighting the unspeakable trauma of slavery; the faith and fire of the Civil Rights Movement; and the grit, passion and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. Grades 3-6

This fascinating, wickedly funny account of our evolutionary journey turns science into an irresistible story. Vetted by experts at the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program, the book also features incredibly detailed portraits by celebrated paleo-artist John Gurche that bring our early ancestors to life. Grades 6-10

Jeanne Villepreux-Power was never expected to be a scientist. Born in 1794 in a French village more than 100 miles from the ocean, she pursued an improbable path that brought her to the island of Sicily. There, she took up natural history and solved the two-thousand-year-old mystery of how of the argonaut octopus gets its shell. In an era when most research focused on dead specimens, Jeanne was determined to experiment on living animals. And to keep sea creatures alive for her studies, she had to invent a contraption to hold them―the aquarium. Grades 5-8 (Lexile: 1220)

How do knowledge systems get passed down over generations? Through the knowledge inherited from their Elders and ancestors, Indigenous Peoples throughout North America have observed, practiced, experimented, and interacted with plants, animals, the sky, and the waters over millennia. Knowledge keepers have shared their wisdom with younger people through oral history, stories, ceremonies, and records that took many forms. In Sky Wolf's Call learn how Indigenous knowledge comes from centuries of practices, experiences, and ideas gathered by people who have a long history with the natural world. Indigenous knowledge is explored through the use of fire and water, the acquisition of food, the study of astronomy, and healing practices. Grades 6-8

As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like having her name listed on her own research papers. Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she suddenly had to face not only sexism, but also life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the world: the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to give her any credit. Grades 5-9

Remarkable stories, groundbreaking events, and inspirational people, that have made a lasting impact on the history and culture of the United States. Grades 3-7

In the winter of 1924 two sled dogs, Togo and Balto, race against time to deliver a diptheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska and stop the deadly illness from spreading. Grades 4-7

This is the life story of Cudjo Lewis, as told by himself.

Of the millions of men, women, and children transported from Africa to America to be enslaved, eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis was then the only person alive to tell the story of his capture and bondage—fifty years after the Atlantic human trade was outlawed in the United States. Cudjo shared his firsthand account with legendary folklorist, anthropologist, and writer Zora Neale Hurston.

Adapted with care and delivered with age-appropriate historical context by award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi, Cudjo’s incredible story is now available for young readers and emerging scholars. With powerful illustrations by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, this poignant work is an invaluable contribution to our shared history and culture. Grades 5-8

After the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese Americans became the subject of racism and discrimination within the United States. Many were rounded up and put in concentration camps. But even while this was happening, there were many Japanese American soldiers who fought to ensure that all Americans were safe during the biggest conflict in world history. Facing the Mountain is the story of three Japanese American soldiers: Rudy Tokiwa, Fred Shiosaki, and Kats Miho, who volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to fight for their country in World War II. The book covers the three soldiers' deployment to Europe and the struggles of their families back home. Woven throughout is the chronicle of Gordon Hirabayashi, one of a cadre of patriotic resisters who stood up against the government in defense of their own rights. Grades 6-8 (Lexile: 1080)

A fascinating and informative journey back in time to find out what it was really like to live in Ancient Rome and the sprawling Roman Empire. Grades 3-6

Loch Ness Uncovered is an extensively researched, myth-busting account of the world's most famous monster hoax-the Loch Ness Monster-and a cautionary tale on the dangers of misinformation. Grades 5-8

Shines a light on the generations of Asian Americans who've transformed the United States and who continue to shape what it means to be American today. Grades 5-8

A narrative nonfiction about how the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre, how the robbery made the portrait the most famous artwork in the world-and how the painting by Leonardo da Vinci should never have existed at all. Grades 4-8 (Lexile:780).

Explores why and how people have built walls all over the world throughout the course of human history. Grades 4-8

An exploration of the building of the Hoover Dam, revealing the causes, effects, and lasting legacies of one of America's most recognizable and misrepresented landmarks. Grades 4-9

An intriguing and fact-filled look at how the mail has been delivered in the United States since before the Constitution was even signed. In the United States, the spread of the postal service went hand in hand with the spread of democracy and transportation. As settlement spread west, communication became even more important to let distant residents feel that they were American; no part of the country was too far away, no village or farm too small to have access to the post. Moreover, the Post Office has always been a public service—it was not originally designed to make a profit or act like a business, but to deliver letters, medical supplies, packages ordered online, and all the things that Americans need at a reasonable cost. Over the centuries, it has also been one of the largest employers in the United States, particularly as a means for African Americans and women to secure stable, middle-class jobs. Grades 5-8

In the winter of 1924 two sled dogs, Togo and Balto, race against time to deliver a diptheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska and stop the deadly illness from spreading. Grades 4-7

Animals know a lot more about numbers than you might think. Guppies can tell large numbers from small ones, hyenas can count, and chimpanzees can use Arabic numerals! Readers will get to know these extraordinary animals and more--and how scientists study their number sense. Each chapter wraps up with an interview with a researcher and a hands-on activity that give readers the chance to challenge their own math skills. Grades 4-7

Loch Ness Uncovered is an extensively researched, myth-busting account of the world's most famous monster hoax-the Loch Ness Monster-and a cautionary tale on the dangers of misinformation. Grades 5-8

Birds are not only beautiful and fascinating, but they also serve an essential role in our ecosystem. This book shows how birds and humans are intrinsically connected, sometimes helping and sometimes hindering each other. Perfect for dedicated birdwatchers—or for anyone who simply delights in noticing birds in their neighborhood. Readers can explore, share, and return to the pages again and again, each time gaining a broader appreciation for our enchanting feathered friends. Grades 6-10

The unlikely true story of why we know the name William Shakespeare today, and the four-hundred-year-old book that made it possible. Four hundred years ago, no one bothered to write down the exact words of stage plays. Characters' lines were scribbled on small rolls of paper (as in, an actor's role) and passed around, but no master script was saved for the future. The main reason we've heard of Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet, and Shakespeare himself is that a group of people made the excellent choice to preserve the plays after the Bard died. If they hadn't created the book known as the First Folio, Shakespeare and his works would surely have been lost to history. Part literary scavenger hunt (the search for every existing First Folio continues today), part book trivia treasure trove, and part love letter to Shakespeare, this behind-the-scenes, sharply funny true story is an ideal introduction to the Bard and his famous plays. Grades 5-8

From Howard University to the red carpet at the Academy Awards, from James Brown to the Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman was a talented and multi-award-winning actor and performer. Prior to his death from colon cancer in 2020, Boseman's rise to fame might have seemed overnight to some, but decades of hard work and dedication to his craft brought him to the highest levels an actor can achieve. Grades 3-5

Features historical giants of music like Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven alongside 20th-century composers such as Astor Piazzolla and Meredith Monk. Showcasing the true range of classical music history not typically acknowledged – exhibiting a wide number of genders, races, and nationalities – celebrates 50 composers who have influenced the field of music and collectively broadened its scope. Grades 4-7

Examines how artists are using their creativity to help the environment and build a more sustainable world. Grades 3-6

A narrative nonfiction about how the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre, how the robbery made the portrait the most famous artwork in the world-and how the painting by Leonardo da Vinci should never have existed at all. Grades 4-8 (Lexile:780).

An inside look at the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, This Boy is a perfect book for any young reader embracing their inner Beatlemania. Grades 5-8

This is the life story of Cudjo Lewis, as told by himself.

Of the millions of men, women, and children transported from Africa to America to be enslaved, eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis was then the only person alive to tell the story of his capture and bondage—fifty years after the Atlantic human trade was outlawed in the United States. Cudjo shared his firsthand account with legendary folklorist, anthropologist, and writer Zora Neale Hurston.

Adapted with care and delivered with age-appropriate historical context by award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi, Cudjo’s incredible story is now available for young readers and emerging scholars. With powerful illustrations by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, this poignant work is an invaluable contribution to our shared history and culture. Grades 5-8

Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker, and writer Alexi Pappas shares the touchstone moments in her life that helped her learn about confidence and self-reliance, compassion and forgiveness, and loss and hope. Grades 5-8

From Howard University to the red carpet at the Academy Awards, from James Brown to the Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman was a talented and multi-award-winning actor and performer. Prior to his death from colon cancer in 2020, Boseman's rise to fame might have seemed overnight to some, but decades of hard work and dedication to his craft brought him to the highest levels an actor can achieve. Grades 3-5

Meet fourteen scientists working to combat climate change-in fourteen different ways. This book informs young readers and gives them the tools they need to make a difference. Grades 4-7

Features historical giants of music like Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven alongside 20th-century composers such as Astor Piazzolla and Meredith Monk. Showcasing the true range of classical music history not typically acknowledged – exhibiting a wide number of genders, races, and nationalities – celebrates 50 composers who have influenced the field of music and collectively broadened its scope. Grades 4-7

Shines a light on the generations of Asian Americans who've transformed the United States and who continue to shape what it means to be American today. Grades 5-8

The thrilling tale of America's early paleontologists and the discovery of the first T. Rex fossil, now adapted for young readers. Grades 5-8

When eleven-year-old Matthew Henson ran away from his cruel stepmother to find a new life in the big city, no one could have predicted that he would become the first man to reach the North Pole. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, Matthew found a life of adventure on the high seas and in the Arctic. But back home in America his achievements were largely overlooked because he was Black. Grades 4-7

The true story of a young girl and a Holocaust survivor whose friendship led to a significant change in their community and beyond. Grades 5-8

The gripping story of America’s first female cryptanalyst, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who busted Nazi spy rings. Grades 5-8

An inside look at the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, This Boy is a perfect book for any young reader embracing their inner Beatlemania. Grades 5-8