8th Grade - Why These Books?

English

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

"As the enemy lurks in the darkness, Private Thomas Peaceful struggles to stay awake through the night. He has lived through the terror of gas attacks, watched friends die by his side, and battled the rats, the mud, and the sheer exhaustion of staying alert. But in the morning, Thomas will be forced to confront a greater horror. When morning comes, the unthinkable will happen.”

"As the minutes tick by, Thomas remembers his childhood spent deep in the countryside with his mother, his brothers, and Molly, the love of his life. But each minute that passes brings Thomas closer to something he can't bear to think about--the moment when the war and its horrific consequences will change his life forever."

This book has been selected because:
1. It vividly depicts the devastating effects of war on the characters.
2. The plot presents many interesting twists and turns for the reader.
3. It provides interesting insights on the themes of duty towards country versus moral responsibilities and social class distinctions.



Monster by Walter Dean Myers

"Steve Harmon is black. He's in jail, maybe forever. He's on trial for murder, and he's sixteen years old." In this novel, Walter Dean Myers, the author of Fallen Angels, presents the challenges that Steve Harmon faces as he tries to clear his name from a crime he did not commit.

This book has been selected because:
1. The main character faces a problem that is filled with many complications.
2. The method of storytelling is unique and entertaining.
3. It raises many questions concerning justice and equality.



U.S. History

Animal Farm by George Orwell

In Animal Farm, barnyard animals overthrow the farmer and run the farm for themselves as a collective. Ultimately, division arise among and between different groups of animals, and the dream of an ideal farm collapses with the proclamation that "some animals are more equal than others." It is a short novella, appropriate to the reading level, and is one of those books that every informed citizen should read at some point. Animal Farm is a classic fable that introduces the students to many issues critical to their understanding of political behavior.

This book has been selected because:
1. Students examine the causes and nature of revolution, and consider when action should replace inaction.
2. Students are introduced to different forms of political organization and political activity, and can evaluate the effectiveness of different styles of politics.
3. Students are presented with a number of different situations that call into question the nature of justice, and can evaluate the relative merits of different social goals.