Novels for Seventh Grade As this is my first year teaching seventh grade, I am looking for a list of novels appropriate for whole class instruction. ...

I have
taught seventh grade for years, and here are some books that fit what you ask for:

*The Giver by Lois Lowry:  This book is a dystopia that explores
adult themes from a teenagers perspective.  In the book, a boy named Jonas lives in the perfect
world where there is no conflict.  It turns out that in this world, everyone has to be the same
and there are serious consequences for being different.  The kids love it, its not too hard to
read and most can follow the story independently.  The best part is thatandare prevalent, so its
an excellent teaching book.

*The Outsiders by S.E.
Hinton: This book is a classic.  It is a coming of age story that appeals to just about every
kid.  The book explores issues of class and morality.  The Greasers and the Socs battle for
supremacy, sometimes literally, until one evening Ponyboy kills one in a rumble.  Forced to
flee, Ponyboy has to confront what he has done and come to terms with himself.

*Animal Farm by George Orwell: This book explores the Russian
Revolution inform, when a group of animals take over the farm.  It is simple but holds a deep
message, and students are drawn in right away.

*Lord of the
Flies by William Golding: What would really happen if kid ruled themselves?  This
book answers the question in an interesting way, as a group of British schoolboys is marooned on
an island during World War II and left to their own often violent devices.