Required Middle School reading
This year’s Middle School summer reading choices build important interdisciplinary connections between the humanities and Spanish curricula. Students will have the opportunity to read texts that include Spanish language, in context, and that are connected to central essential questions for each grade level, such as: the connections between ability, disability and how it shapes identity, ¿Qué hace un hogar?” or “What makes a home?, How is truth-telling connected to activism? and the connection between defiance and social impact. To learn more about your student’s text, please read the summary below.
Humanities required reading
Entering fifth grade
Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasmine Mendez
Aniana del Mar Jumps In is a novel in verse in English that is peppered with words and expressions in Spanish. It narrates the story of a Dominican American girl who is diagnosed with a chronic illness that forces her to navigate her passion for swimming and her relationship with her family in challenging ways. The themes of identity, voice, and family relationships surface in the fifth grade Spanish, humanities and advisory curricula, and the fifth grade humanities curriculum will provide a space for students to deepen their understanding of the many facets of ability and activism.
Entering sixth grade
A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
A Duet for Home is told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, who develop a friendship over a shared love of classical music while living in a homeless shelter in NYC. While A Duet for Home does not center Spanish language or culture, it ties in thematically with both the Spanish and humanities curricula in sixth grade. Students will explore the question, “¿Qué hace un hogar?” or “What makes a home?” as a springboard for personal reflection and learn about factors that influence social vulnerability across the world and in the Americas.
Entering seventh grade
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
The Last Cuentista, which won the 2022 John Newbury Medal, narrates the story of twelve-year old Petra Peña and her family, who are among those chosen to escape Earth before a comet collides with the planet. They are put to sleep for 400 years and everyone’s memories are erased, except for Petra’s. The story explores power, governance, and brainwashing while ultimately centering hope, voice, and the importance of story-telling, setting the stage for an examination of the founding of the United States and our responsibility as truth-tellers and activists.
Entering eighth grade
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
The Poet X, which won the 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, will resonate with seventh graders' who experienced the power of sharing their own poetry in Night of Words. It tells the story of Xiomara, a young woman from Harlem, who finds the courage to take her words from her private journal and share her voice as a slam poet. The themes of personal truth and defiance set the stage for the eighth grade humanities curriculum, which examines the choices, motives and responsibilities of individuals throughout history as they navigate responsibility to themselves and their communities.
As a note, there are mature themes that include street harassment, exploration of religious faith and sexual orientation, and sexual exploration (some kissing and heavy petting).
Acevedo seamlessly addresses weighty and mature topics with ease and care, without being didactic. The novel addresses issues such as sizeism, street harassment, homophobia, misogyny, sexuality, sexual shame, and abuse, particularly when that abuse is paired with religion. Acevedo’s language is modern and youthful, with text composed in verse that function as vignette, creating an engaging and impactful read that will closely mirror many of the themes that students will encounter in eighth grade humanities.
As they read over the summer, students will have access to virtual discussions with their peers and their eighth grade humanities teacher Ms. Sandoval on Padlet. Some of the themes are indeed heavy so it will be helpful for students to have a place to openly share their thoughts and reactions before they come back to school and have the chance to do so in person. We would appreciate your support in encouraging students to complete these assignments. Please reach out to Viva Sandoval at vsandoval@gordonschool.org if you have any questions.
Spanish required reading
Spanish books can be ordered from fluencymatters.com or Amazon
Entering fifth grade
Same book as humanities (Aniana del Mar Jumps In):
Entering fifth grade in the Spanish Language Arts Strand
La Piñata de Renata by Craig Klein Dexemple
Entering sixth grade
Same books as humanities (A Duet for Home)
Entering sixth grade in the Spanish Language Arts Strand
La Piñata de Renata by Craig Klein Dexemple
Entering seventh grade
Peter va a Colombia by Craig Klein - not on fluency matters! Go to Amazon
Entering seventh grade in the Spanish Language Arts Strand
Las Aventuras de Don Quijote de la Mancha: La Historia Según Sancho Panza by Katherine Lupton
Entering eighth grade
La Llorona de Mazatlan by Katie A. Baker
Entering eighth grade in the Spanish Language Arts Strand
El Ekeko: Un misterio boliviano by Katie Baker
Additional expectations
In addition to the required reading for humanities and Spanish, Middle School students should read two to five books of their choosing from this booklet or from other sources. Please choose books that you have not read before and make and perhaps venture into new areas of reading or genres. Note the reading log to record your reading.