Books to Teach Eighth Graders
There are many choices for books to teach eighth-graders, but this list should include Life of Pi, Journey, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. If you’re having a tough time deciding, you can always ask your teacher for recommendations. You may also want to try one of the many novels in this category. However, many eighth-graders are looking for books that are both exciting and engaging.
Life of Pi
A Life of Pi for eighth-graders reading group can discuss the many aspects of this book and determine if the novel is appropriate for their age. Many of the scenes are graphic and highlight Pi’s hunger for survival. Perhaps the most memorable scene is when Pi meets the blind man at sea. They bond over their shared love of literature, but Pi’s blindness and lack of sight make this meeting surreal. Pi embraces the man on the raft, unaware of the tigers following him. The man is killed and Pi consumes his flesh from the man’s food reserves.
The novel also includes animal symbolism. Since Pi studied zoology, he explains that the zebra represents the weakest link in the chain of life, while the hyena represents the French cook, who killed the sailor and his mother. As he recounts his tale, the reader will be confronted with the dilemma of deciding whether Pi’s version of events was more accurate or not.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy is a space adventure novel by Douglas Adams, a British writer. It explores issues of materialism, the nature of existence, and the role of bureaucracy. As the title suggests, the novel follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, a space traveler who narrowly escapes destruction on Earth. The story also explores the idea of humankind’s place in the universe. The story is filled with absurdity, and the humor may go over the heads of younger readers. It was also made into a film in 2005, so if you are looking for a good movie to watch with your 8th grader, then you can try this novel.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy is a popular book for children between the ages of eight and thirteen. While the content of the book is not inappropriate for younger children, it may not be suited for Catholic middle schoolers. The book contains scenes of drunkenness and off-color British humor. This novel may be best for older children who are mature enough to understand its humor and themes.
Esperanza Rising
If you are looking for books to teach 8th graders about the history of the United States, consider using one of the many Esperanza Rising books. This novel is based on real-life events and is an inspiring story of empowerment. This book also offers a wealth of reading comprehension and vocabulary practice, and includes activities that students can do individually or in groups. You can even use this book to integrate different subjects into your classroom, such as science, social studies, and history.
The author of this popular novel, Pam Munoz Ryan, is a Mexican-American. The novel was first released in 2000, and has won numerous awards since then, including the Pura Belpre Award for portraying the experience of a Latino in children’s literature. The book depicts the life of a Mexican farmworker in the 1930s, as she tries to cope with hard labor and financial struggles. Throughout her life, however, she remains hopeful, overcoming adversity and working toward a better future.
Reyna Grande’s The Distance Between Us
The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande is an inspiring memoir about an immigrant family. As a child, Grande and her father crossed the Mexican border illegally to seek a better life for their children. While they were in the United States, they became accustomed to their new environment and began to speak English. While her mother was not always around, her father took her with him, sending her to live with her grandmother.
Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography
A beautiful book about a courageous girl who achieved greatness and a Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai shares her life story. Using simple and engaging language, she recounts her childhood in the Swat Valley. Sebastien Cosset and Maries Pommepuy bring the story to life in this book. The powerful messages of Malala Yousafzai’s life are emphasized in the text.
The author began her journey at a very young age and shared the importance of education with the world. She grew up in a conservative Muslim country where the Taliban tried to prevent girls from attending school and deprived them of the right to an education. To overcome these odds, she began writing on a BBC blog and became famous for it. She was then featured in two documentary films that were posted on the New York Times website. As a result of her work, the Taliban changed the rules and allowed girls to go to school again.
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