Great 7th Grade Books (Ages 12 – 13) for Summer Reading

I think the hardest age for summer reading is middle school, don’t you? Try these good 7th grade books for ages 12 and 13 for summer reading. I think they’ll entice your middle schoolers to read throughout the dog days of summer.

Who am I to suggest these middle grade and YA books?

Besides being a former teacher and parent of two, I read hundreds of books every month to find the best books for you and your readers. I’ve read and reviewed all of these books. If you want to read more about each book, visit this list of book reviews for 7th graders.

Are your 7th graders reading on a device? My daughter does. At least most of the time. And I like that she’s reading, so I don’t care if she reads on a Kindle, an iPad, a paper book, or phone. Just that she’s reading is good. Without too much nagging… So, consider adding technology to your 7th grader’s summer reading.

What else can motivate your 7th grade reader?

Give your reader a choice of books to read.

Give your 7th graders books — lots of books — whether library books or store-bought books!

Help your 7th grader find blocks of time to read.

Remember that audiobooks count as reading! (See: audiobooks for tweens & audiobooks for teens.)

SHOP THIS LIST.

More 7th Grade Books

All books for 7th graders

Summer reading lists by grade level

Books for Other Grade Levels

6th Grade Summer Reading List (age 11 – 12)

8th Grade Summer Reading List (age 13 and up / teen)

7th Grade Books for Summer Reading List (Ages 12 – 13)

FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION 7th Grade List

If you like fantasy, paranormal, & sci-fi books, you’ll love:

• Bite Risk by S.J. Wells
• The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
• Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• House of Scorpions by Nancy Farmer
• Phenomena: The Golden City of Eyes by Brian Micahel Bendis and Andre Lima Araujo (graphic novel)
• Brick Dust and Bones by M.R. Forunet
• Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef

REALISTIC 7th Grade Summer Reading List

If you like realistic books, you’ll love:

• Rain Rising by Courtne Comrie
• Deer Run Home by Ann Clare LeZotte
• No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam
• Elephant Touch by Susan R. Greenway 
• Breaking Into Sunlight by John Cochran
• Gone to the Woods by Gary Paulsen
• House Arrest by K.A. Holt
• The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett
• Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango
• Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
• Match Point by Maddie Gallegos *gn
• Racing the Clouds by Sydney Dunlap

ADVENTURE & MYSTERY 7th Grade Books Summer Reading List

If you like adventure and mystery, try these books:

• City Spies by James Ponti
• Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibb
• 96 Miles by J.L. Esplin
• Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry
• The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks
• Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart
• Beneath by Roland Smith
• The Liar’s Society by Alyson Gerber

HISTORICAL FICTION 7th Grade Summer Reading List

Love historical fiction? Try a book from this list:

• Allies by Alan Gratz
• What Fell From the Sky by Adrianna Cuevas
• One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen
• Brothers Keeper by Julie Lee
• Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh
• When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler
• The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree by Lucille Abendadon
• The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

NONFICTION 7th Grade Books Summer Reading List

Try a nonfiction book! Here are incredible choices you won’t be able to put down:

• Rise Up: Ordinary Kids With Extraordinary Stories by Amanda Li
• History Comics: The Roanoke Colony: America’s First Mystery by Chris Schweizer (graphic novel)
• Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation adapted by Ari Folman
• Accidental Archeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries by Sarah Albee
• Unforgotten The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas by Anita Silvey
• Never Caught, The Story of Ona Judge: Young Readers Edition by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve
• Race Against Death by Deborah Hopkinson
• The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day 

KEEP READING

Best 7th Grade Book Series

Best Read Aloud Books for 7th and 8th Grades

Summer Reading Lists for Kids