Novel suggestions for 7th and 8th graders?

Smtih&co

Anybody got any suggestions for this age group?  I am teaching at a small private Christian school, so I am somewhat careful about what I pick.  They just got finished with The Hunger Games trilogy, so it isn't all Silas Marner and Pilgrim's Progress either.

Young_Love

I just finished The Giver with my 8th graders and I'm now reading Wonder by RJ Palacio with the regular classes and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein with the honors class. (CNV is awesome, but it has a little swearing, FYI)

oliversbear

I read Cheaper by the Dozen in 7th Grade and To Kill a Mockingbird in 8th.  I know that many people read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school, but I read it in 8th grade as an alternative to Go Ask Alice.

I loved Cheaper by the Dozen and just finished sharing it with my husband as part of our weekly story-time.  I know it's not a "modern" book, but I think it's great for classroom reading.

sonore32

I remember reading Rebecca in 8th grade and loving it! I know my friend who teaches 7th grade just did a unit on The Graveyard Book and her students really liked it.

Recently I also read "Once" by Morris Gleitzman...its a holocaust based novel but told from a kid's perspective...it was really fascinating

beebe918

I second The Giver and anything else by Lois Lowry.

I think Ender's Game would be great for 7th and 8th graders and could especially lead to good discussions at a Christian school.

Other books I remember reading in middle school and that I think would be okay for a Christian school: A Wrinkle in Time, Bridge to Terabithia, Holes, and Island of the Blue Dolphins.

I also love Cynthia Voigt when I was in middle school but I can't remember if there was anything in her books that wouldn't be appropriate for a Christian school.

InLovewSB

I personally read a ton of Michael Crichton in middle school - Jurassic Park, Congo, Andromeda Strain. I also read The Hobbit. I remember reading two series by David Eddings, the Belgariad & Mallorean, which are fantasy & not everyone's cup of tea. I know I always had a book, but I can't remember what all I read.

taylormillgirl

Back when I was a teacher, my class enjoyed this one:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/327035.Izzy_Willy_Nilly

I liked the way it emphasized the power of choices; (the MC loses a leg in an accident when she accepts a ride from a popular drunk boy rather than risk her social status by calling her parents to come get her.) Then she has to adjust to her new life and in the process, learns who her real friends are. I don't recall any swears or sex, just underage drinking. 

ETA: I just realized how old that book is! Maybe give it a quick read and see if teens today would still connect with it? I would assume so, but it's been a long time since I read it with my class.