Mr. Orfei's Summer Reading List 2019 - The Windward School

Mr. Orfei’s Summer Reading List 2019

Among the Imposters by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Book 2 of 7)
Luke Garner is an illegal third child. All his life has been spent in hiding.
Now, for the first time, Luke is living among others. He has assumed a
deceased boy's identity and is attending Hendricks School for Boys, a
windowless building with cruel classmates and oblivious teachers. Luke
knows he has to blend in, but he lives in constant fear that his behavior
will betray him. What he doesn't know is whom he can trust

Among the Betrayed by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Book 3 of 7)
Nina Idi, a third child in a society where families are allowed only two, has been
betrayed by the boy she loved. She has been arrested by the Population Police.
Angry and confused, Nina knows only one thing for sure: She is innocent. But now
she is faced with the most difficult choice of her life: Get three other prisoners to
admit they are shadow children and be spared herself or refuse to cooperate and
be killed. The options are clear. The choice, Nina discovers, is not....

*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis (Book 1 of 7)
Discover how the land of Narnia came to be. When Digory and Polly try to
return the wicked witch Jadis to her own world, the magic gets mixed up
and they all are hurled into another world, where the evil sorceress seeks
to enslave them. But then the lion Aslan's song weaves itself into the
fabric of a new land, a land that will be known as Narnia.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (Book 4 of 7)
The Pevensie siblings, Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund, travel back to the
magical land of Narnia. They have returned to help a prince denied his
rightful throne as he gathers an army in a desperate attempt to rid his
land of a false king. Will Aslan come back? In the end, a battle of honor
between two men that will decide the fate of an entire world. This story
takes place one year after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

The River by Gary Paulson (Book 2 of 5)
Two years after Brian Robeson survived fifty-four days alone in the
Canadian wilderness, the government wants him to head back so they can
learn what he did to stay alive. This time Derek Holtzer, a government
psychologist, will accompany him. But a freak storm leaves Derek
unconscious. He's survived with only a hatchet before--now can Brian
build a raft, navigate an unknown river, and save a life?
* Any other books from this series are also recommended.

The Reptile Room: Or, Murder! by Lemony Snicket (Book 2 of 13)
Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are
charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features.
Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky. In the first two books
alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy
clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a
deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible
odor. Things certainly don’t seem to be looking up.

The Wide Window: Or, Disappearance! by Lemony Snicket (Book 3 of 13)
Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives,
I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. If you haven't got
the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signaling device,
hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named
Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair. I will
continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however,
should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable
story. With all due respect, Lemony Snicket.

*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (Book 1 of 8)
Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius-and, above all, a
criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when
he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit in a plot to
divest the fairy folk of their pot of gold. These aren't the fairies of bedtime
stories. These fairies are armed and dangerous. Artemis thinks he has
them right where he wants them but then they stop playing by the rules.
*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Don't even think of starting this book unless you're sitting in a comfortable
chair and have lots of time. A fast-paced, impossible-to-put-down adventure
awaits as the young orphan Peter and his mates are dispatched to an island
ruled by an evil king. They set sail aboard the Never Land, a ship carrying
a precious and mysterious trunk in its cargo hold, and the journey quickly
becomes fraught with excitement and danger. This is a prequel to the
beloved Peter Pan story.
*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent fairy named
Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells
her to do, Ella must obey. Her intelligence and sassy nature keep her in
good spirits as she sets out on a quest for freedom as she tries to track
down Lucinda to undo the curse. Along the way, Ella will fend off ogres,
befriend elves, and falls in love with a prince. Yes, there is a pumpkin
coach, a glass slipper in this delightful version of Cinderella.

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann (Book 1 of 5)
Every year in the land of Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into
categories: the Wanteds go to university while the Unwanteds are sent to
their deaths. Alex is an Unwanted while his twin brother, Aaron, becomes
a Wanted. Before his elimination, Alex discovers a secret place called
Artime where Alex can cultivate his artistic ability to create magic spells.
However, as the brothers grow further apart, a threat arises that will pit
brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.
*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop
William has just received the best present of his life. An old, real-looking
stone and wooden model of a castle, with a drawbridge, a moat, and a
finger high knight to guard the gates. It's the mysterious castle his
housekeeper has told him about, and even though William is sad she's
leaving, now the castle is his! William can't wait to play with the castle-
he's certain there's something magical about it. And sure enough, when he
picks up the tiny silver knight, it comes alive in his hand!

Eragon by Christopher Paolini (Book 1 of 4)
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy - until
his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient
sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is
soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his
choices could save - or destroy - the Empire. The author began writing
this series when he was 15, take the chance to enter the world of
traditional high fantasy!

Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin (Author of Where the Mountain Meets the
Moon)

The moon is missing from the remote Village of Clear Sky, but only a
young boy named Rendi seems to notice! Rendi has run away from home
and is now working as a chore boy at the village inn. He can't help but
notice the village's peculiar inhabitants and their odd problems... and
what is that sound Rendi keeps hearing? This is a companion book to
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon with familiar storytelling, imagery…
and the return of Magistrate Tiger

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Book 1 of 5)
What if the gods of Mount Olympus, Greece were alive in the 21st
century? What if they still fell in love with mortals and had children who
would become great heroes — like the ancient legends of Theseus, Jason
and Hercules? Imagine being one of these half god children. Meet Percy
Jackson, the son of Poseidon, who is now tasked with finding Zeus’s
stolen lightning bolt and preventing war between the gods!
*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck (Book 1 of 3)
Each summer Joey and his sister, Mary Alice—two city slickers from
Chicago—visit Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town. Soon
enough, they find that it's far from sleepy...and Grandma is far from your
typical grandmother, she is the most rebellious and least grandmotherly of
grandmas. Joey and Mary Alice are about to experience nine adventurous
and hysterical summers they'll never forget! A Newbery Honor Book.
*Any other books from this series are also recommended.

Riding Freedom by Pam Munos Ryan (Author of Esperanza Rising)
This fictionalized biography of the first woman to vote in the state of
California, and perhaps in the whole United States, is fascinating.
Charlotte Parkhurst, known as Charley, spent most of her life
masquerading as a man. Raised in an orphanage where she is the only
girl, she is prevented from being adopted by the staff, who put her to work
in the kitchen. Her preference is to be with the horses and the elderly man
who cares for them.

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
Friendship isn’t always sunny side up. David’s mother recently died in a
freak accident and his salesman father is constantly on the road, so he
takes his frustrations out on his grandmother. He soon meets Primrose, a
cruel teenage girl who lives in a van as her home. Primrose’s mother is a
fortuneteller and the only evidence of her father she never knew is a
framed picture. Despite their age difference and attitudes, they forge a
tight yet tumultuous friendship. These two troubled kids soon set off on a
startling adventure where they discover how to deal with their problems.

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants
to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with
all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls with laughter over
a word like "Jabip."Other kids have their own word to describe him, but
Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else.
And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name can
someday become "hero."

Abduction by Peg Kehret (Author of Nightmare Mountain)

Matt is missing. Bonnie's brother left his classroom to use the bathroom —
and disappeared. A police dog traces his scent to the curb, where he
apparently got into a vehicle. But why would Matt go anywhere with a
stranger? Overwhelmed with fear, Bonnie discovers that her dog is gone,
too. Was Pookie used as a lure for Matt? Bonnie makes one big mistake in
her attempt to find her brother. In a chilling climax on a Washington State
ferry, Bonnie and Matt must outsmart their abductor or pay with their lives.

Guts by Gary Paulsen
Gary Paulsen was being kind to Brian. In Guts, Gary tells the real stories
behind the Brian books, the stories of the adventures that inspired him to
write Brian Robeson's story: working as an emergency volunteer; the
death that inspired the pilot's death in Hatchet, plane crashes he has seen
and near-misses of his own. He describes how he made his own bows and
arrows, and takes readers on his first hunting trips, showing the wonder
and solace of nature along with his hilarious mishaps and mistakes.
There's a handy chapter on "Eating Eyeballs and Guts or Starving: The
Fine Art of Wilderness Nutrition." Recipes included.

Michael Jordan: Legends in Sports by Matt Christopher
Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids, profiles
basketball superstar Michael Jordan, covering his childhood, college
career, rookie years, professional career highlights, and even his short
stint in minor league baseball. Written in Matt Christopher's easy-to-read
style and complete with incredible photos and Michael Jordan's key stats,
this comprehensive biography will entertain and educate.
*Matt Christopher’s biographies on Stephen Curry and LeBron James, are
a great choices as well.

The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours by Jane Goodall
As a child, Jane Goodall dreamed of living with the wild animals of Africa.
As a young woman, she amazed the world with her groundbreaking
discoveries about chimpanzees, which she documented in her acclaimed
National Geographic television specials. Ever since, Dr. Goodall has
campaigned unceasingly for the protection of the chimpanzee, now an
endangered species. This moving, personal account will inspire readers of
all ages to join in her vital work.

No Summit out of Sight by Jordan Romero
At the age of thirteen, American teenager Jordan Romero became the
youngest person to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. At fifteen, he
became the youngest person to reach the summits of the tallest
mountains on each of the seven continents. In this energizing memoir,
Jordan recounts his experience, which started as dream at the age of nine
that would lead to many years of training and obstacles he faced. Follow
this exhilarating journey to the peaks of human willpower.