What is a great novel to use with my 7th grade gifted students?

Question

I will be teaching gifted kids this year. Does any educator have a great novel for us?

Answer 1

You should read Hatchet.

It's a good book. :]

There are others I could tell you about.

BUT

they aren't acceptable in school.

Answer 2

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a great novel, but it does have some mature themes (violence, alcohol abuse).

What about an adventure novel like Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne or Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson?

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a GREAT novel, but I'm not sure how it would work out for a 7th grade class.  

Answer 3

The Tale of Desperaux (sp)

Fever 17__    (the title has the year in it)

Answer 4

Stephanie Meyer's has an amazing series!!!!

My daughter is reading her first book now and she can not put it down!!!

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Answer 5

Monster by Walter Dean Myers is a good one.  You can get all sorts of discussions going about right and wrong being relative, whether there's real justice in the justice system, what defines art, what defines truth, etc.  It's a great book.  I think it's read in 9th grade in my district, but if you've got gifted 7th graders, it's certainly a good choice.  

Answer 6

How about John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath"?  The historical context gives a vivid understanding of what many were up against during the dust bowl years

It resonates on dealing with adversity through no fault of your own.  Of how to be resilient & resourceful.  Of having to make choices that are not always correct.  And most importantly of survival.  

Sort of similar to what's happening now with all the mortgage foreclosures, jobs going overseas, families having to uproot & move.  

If they are gifted, it shouldn't be too difficult.  

There are several web sites to assist you.  I've put one here for you.  But just google up > educator's guide to the grapes of wrath >> for more.