Home > List 8 > The California Reading List 7

The 13 lists have titles that grow in difficulty from the easiest to the hardest to read. They are not based on grade level, but on the difficulty of the text as determined by it's Lexile measurement. A typical interest level is included to help you choose the most appropriate book.

Aardema, Verna Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: a West African Tale. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Ackerman, Karen Song and Dance Man. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Ada, Alma Flor Dear Peter Rabbit. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Adler, David A. Lou Gehrig: the luckiest man. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Alexander, Lloyd Fortune Teller. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Alexander, Lloyd Illyrian Adventure. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Almagor, Gila Under the Domim Tree. 7 High School (9-12)  
Atwood, Margaret Handmaid's Tale. 7 High School (9-12)  
Avi True Confession of Charlotte Doyle, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Ayres, Katherine North by Night: a story of the Underground Railroad. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Babbitt, Natalie Tuck Everlasting. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Bang, Molly Paper Crane, The. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Banks, Lynne Reid Broken Bridge. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Bannerman, Helen Story of Little Babaji, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Barker, Pat Regeneration. 7 High School (9-12)  
Barrett, Judith Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell No Man's Land: a young soldier's story. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Bauer, Joan Hope Was Here. 7 High School (9-12)  
Bauer, Marion Dane On My Honor. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Bauer, Marion Dane (Editor) Am I Blue?: coming out from the silence. 7 High School (9-12)  
Beatty, Patricia Lupita Manana. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Benitez, Sandra Place Where the Sea Remembers, A. 7 High School (9-12)  
Bierman, Carol Journey to Ellis Island: how my father came to America. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Bjork, Christina Linnea in Monet's Garden. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Bond, Michael Bear Called Paddington, A. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Bradbury, Ray Martian Chronicles, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Brink, Andre Philippus Dry White Season, A. 7 High School (9-12)  
Brooke, Peggy Jake's Orphan. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Brooks, Martha Bone Dance. 7 High School (9-12)  
Brown, Margaret Wise Little Scarecrow Boy, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Buehner, Caralyn Fanny's Dream. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Butler, Octavia E. Parable of the Sower. 7 High School (9-12)  
Canetti, Elias Auto-da-fe. 7 High School (9-12)  
Card, Orson Scott Ender's Game. 7 High School (9-12)  
Card, Orson Scott Ender's Shadow. 7 High School (9-12)  
Casanova, Mary Wolf Shadows. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Cleary, Beverly Henry and Beezus. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Cleary, Beverly Ramona's World. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Clement, Rod Just Another Ordinary Day. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Climo, Shirley Korean Cinderella. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Cohen, Barbara Thank You, Jackie Robinson. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Coles, Robert Story of Ruby Bridges, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Collard, III, Sneed B. Animal Dads. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Collier, James L.;Collier, Christopher My Brother Sam is Dead. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Conrad, Pamela Prairie Songs. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Cooney, Barbara Hattie and the Wild Waves. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Cooper, Elisha Building. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Couloumbis, Audrey Getting Near to Baby. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Cowcher, Helen Jaguar. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Cowcher, Helen Tigress. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Creech, Sharon Walk Two Moons. 7 Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Curry, Jane Louise (Adapted) Back in the Beforetime: tales of the California Indians. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Curtis, Gavin Bat Boy and His Violin, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Danziger, Paula Amber Brown is Not a Crayon. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Danziger, Paula;Martin, Ann P.S. Longer Letter Later. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
de Saint-Exupery, Antoine Little Prince, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Delacre, Lulu Salsa Stories. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Doherty, Berlie Daughter of the Sea. 7 High School (9-12)  
Earle, Sylvia A. Hello, Fish!: visiting the coral reef. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Farmer, Nancy Girl Named Disaster, A. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Finney, Ernest California Time. 7 High School (9-12)  
Fitzhugh, Louise Harriet the Spy. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Fleischman, Paul Seedfolks. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Fleischman, Paul Whirligig. 7 Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Fleischman, Sid By the Great Horn Spoon. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Fleischman, Sid Jim Ugly. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Fletcher, Susan Shadow Spinner. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Fox, Mem Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Friedman, Ina R. Other Victims: first-person stories of non-Jews persecuted by the Nazis, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Gaeddert, Louann Friends and Enemies. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Gag, Wanda Millions of Cats. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Gaines, Ernest Lesson Before Dying, A. 7 High School (9-12)  
Geisert, Bonnie Prairie Town. 7 Primary (K-2)  
George, Jean Craighead Julie. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
George, Jean Craighead Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo: an ecological mystery. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Gibbons, Gail Bats. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Giff, Patricia Reilly Lily's Crossing. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Gillenkirk, Jeff;Motlow, James Bitter Melon: stories from the last rural Chinese town in America. 7 High School (9-12)  
Glass, Andrew Folks Call Me Appleseed John. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Golding, William Lord of the Flies. 7 High School (9-12)  
Gray, Libba Moore Miss Tizzy. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Gregory, Kristiana Legend of Jimmy Spoon. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Hahn, Mary Downing Time for Andrew. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hammett, Dashiell Maltese Falcon, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Hamsun, Knut Pan. 7 High School (9-12)  
Harvey, Brett Immigrant Girl: Becky of Eldridge Street. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Harvey, Brett My Prairie Christmas. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Hausherr, Rosmarie Celebrating Families. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Hegi, Ursula Tearing the Silence: being German in America. 7 High School (9-12)  
Heide, Florence Parry House of Wisdom. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Hemingway, Ernest Farewell to Arms, A. 7 High School (9-12)  
Henkes, Kevin Birthday Room, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Henkes, Kevin Sun and Spoon. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Henry, Marguerite Misty of Chincoteague. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hesse, Karen Come On Rain. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Hicyilmaz, Gaye Frozen Waterfall, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Hinojosa, Rolando Dear Rafe. 7 High School (9-12)  
Hinton, S.E. Outsiders, The. 7 Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Hobbs, Will Bearstone. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hobbs, Will Changes in Latitude. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hobbs, Will Maze, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hodges, Margaret Joan of Arc: the Lily Maid. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hoeg, Peter Borderliners. 7 High School (9-12)  
Hoeg, Peter Smilla's Sense of Snow. 7 High School (9-12)  
Holt, Kimberly Willis My Louisiana Sky. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Holt, Kimberly Willis When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Hoobler, Thomas;Hoobler, Dorothy Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Howe, Deborah;Howe, James Bunnicula. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Huong, Duong Thu Paradise of the Blind. 7 High School (9-12)  
Hurwitz, Johanna Aldo Applesauce. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Ingold, Jeanette Pictures, 1918. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
James, Mary Shoebag. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Jennings, Patrick Faith and the Electric Dogs. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Johnson, Angela Heaven. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Johnston, Norma Over Jordan. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Karr, Kathleen Great Turkey Walk, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Kim, Nancy Chinhominey's Secret. 7 High School (9-12)  
Kingsolver, Barbara Animal Dreams. 7 High School (9-12)  
Kirkpatrick, Katherine Trouble's Daughter: the story of Susanna Hutchinson, Indian captive. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Konigsburg, E.L. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Konigsburg, E.L. Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, A. 7 Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Koss, Amy Goldman Ashwater Experiment, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Kramer, Barbara Sally Ride: a space biography. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Kroll, Steven Pony Express. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Krull, Kathleen Wilma Unlimited: how Wilma Rudolph became the world's fastest woman. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Krumgold, Joseph And Now Miguel. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Kurtz, Jane Storyteller's Beads, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Kuskin, Karla Philharmonic Gets Dressed, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
L'Engle, Madeleine Wrinkle in Time, A. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
L'Engle, Madeleine (and others) Second Sight: stories for a new millennium. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
LaFaye, A. Year of the Sawdust Man, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Lamb, Wally She's Come Undone. 7 High School (9-12)  
Le Guin, Ursula K. Catwings. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Leaf, Margaret Eyes of the Dragon. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Leaf, Munro Story of Ferdinand, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Lester, Alison Quicksand Pony, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Lester, Julius From Slave Ship to Freedom Road. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Lester, Julius John Henry. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Lester, Julius Last Tales of Uncle Remus. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Lester, Julius Othello: a novel. 7 High School (9-12)  
Levitin, Sonia Journey to America. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Levitin, Sonia Return, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Llorente, Pilar Molina Apprentice. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Lobel, Anita No Pretty Pictures: a child of war. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
London, Jonathan Fire Race: a Karuk coyote tale. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Lord, Bette Bao In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Lowell, Susan Three Little Javelinas, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Lowry, Lois Anastasia Krupnik. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Lowry, Lois Giver, The. 7 Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Magorian, Michelle Good Night, Mr. Tom. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Maguire, Gregory Good Liar, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Mahy, Margaret Beaten By a Balloon. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Marsden, John Letters from the Inside. 7 High School (9-12)  
Martin, Jr., Bill Turning of the Year, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Mason, Bobbie Ann In Country. 7 High School (9-12)  
Mathis, Sharon Bell Hundred Penny Box, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
McCullers, Carson Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
McDonald, Megan Is This a House for Hermit Crab?. 7 Primary (K-2)  
McKissack, Patricia C. Dark-Thirty: southern tales of the supernatural. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Melmed, Laura Krauss Little Oh. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Miles, Miska Annie and the Old One. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Miller, William Richard Wright and the Library Card. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Milne, A.A. Winnie-the-Pooh. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Mitchell, Margaree King Uncle Jed's Barbershop. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Mollel, Tololwa My Rows and Piles of Coins. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Monfredo, Miriam Seneca Falls Inheritance, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Mooney, Bel Voices of Silence, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Mukherjee, Bharati Middleman and Other Stories. 7 High School (9-12)  
Munsch, Robert Paper Bag Princess, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Myers, Anna Keeping Room, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Naidoo, Beverley No Turning Back. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Namioka, Lensey Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds Achingly Alice. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Neufeld, John Lisa, Bright and Dark. 7 High School (9-12)  
Newth, Mette Dark Light, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Nichol, Barbara Beethoven Lives Upstairs. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Nixon, Joan Lowery Search for the Shadowman. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Nolen, Jerdine Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Norton, Mary Borrowers, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
O'Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
O'Dell, Scott Zia. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Olsen, Tillie Tell Me a Riddle. 7 High School (9-12)  
Osborne, Mary Pope Adaline Falling Star. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Oughton, Jerrie Music from a Place Called Half Moon. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Park, Barbara Mick Harte Was Here. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Paterson, Katherine Come Sing, Jimmy Jo. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Paulsen, Gary NightJohn. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Pausewang, Gudrun Final Journey, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Peck, Jan Giant Carrot, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Peck, Richard Long Way From Chicago, A. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Peck, Robert Newton Cowboy Ghost. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Perrault, Charles Puss in Boots. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Pfeffer, Susan Beth Nobody's Daughter. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Pilkey, Dav Dog Breath: the horrible trouble with Hally Tosis. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Plum-Ucci, Carol Body of Christopher Creed, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Polacco, Patricia Rechenka's Eggs. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Pullman, Philip Ruby in the Smoke, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Raskin, Ellen Westing Game, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Rawls, Wilson Where the Red Fern Grows. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Rennison, Louise Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging: confessions of Georgia Nicolson. 7 High School (9-12)  
Reuter, Bjarne Boys From St. Petri, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Rinaldi, Ann Mine Eyes Have Seen. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Ringgold, Faith If A Bus Could Talk: the story of Rosa Parks. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Ringgold, Faith Tar Beach. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Rockwell, Anne Only Passing Through: the story of Sojourner Truth. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Roop, Peter;Roop, Connie Girl of the Shining Mountains: Sacagawea's story. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Ryan, Pam Munoz Riding Freedom. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Ryder, Joanne Dancers in the Garden. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Ryder, Joanne My Father's Hands. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Rylant, Cynthia Gooseberry Park. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Sachs, Marilyn Bear's House, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Sachs, Marilyn Pocket Full of Seeds, A. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Salinger, J.D. Catcher in The Rye. 7 High School (9-12)  
Sanderson, Ruth Crystal Mountain, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Saroyan, William Human Comedy, The. 7 High School (9-12)  
Sebestyen, Ouida Words by Heart. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Selden, George Cricket in Times Square. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Selvadurai, Shyam Funny Boy. 7 High School (9-12)  
Sendak, Maurice Where the Wild Things Are. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Seuss, Dr. (Theodore Geisel) Hooray for Diffendoofer Day. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Shahan, Sherry Frozen Stiff. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Shea, Pegi Deitz Whispering Cloth, The. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Sheldon, Dyan Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Sherlock, Patti Four of a Kind. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Shute, Nevil On the Beach. 7 Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)  
Singer, Isaac Bashevis Enemies, a Love Story. 7 High School (9-12)  
Smith, Doris Buchanan Return to Bitter Creek. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Soto, Gary Crazy Weekend. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
St. George, Judith So, You Want to be President?. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Steig, William Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Steinbeck, John East of Eden. 7 High School (9-12)  
Steptoe, John Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: an African tale. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Sterling, Shirley My Name is Seepeetza. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Stolz, Mary Go Fish. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Strand, Keith Grandfather's Christmas Tree. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Stuve-Bodeen, Stephanie Elizabeti's Doll. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Swanson, Susan Marie Letter to the Lake. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Tallchief, Maria;Wells, Rosemary Tallchief: America's prima ballerina. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Taylor, Mildred D. Friendship, The. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Taylor, Theodore Maria: a Christmas story. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Tunnell, Michael O. Mailing May. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Uchida, Yoshiko Bracelet. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Ungerer, Tomi Crictor. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Van Allsburg, Chris Two Bad Ants. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Varley, Susan Badger's Parting Gifts. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Vieira, Linda Ever-Living Tree: the life and times of a coast redwood. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Viorst, Judith Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move!. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Voigt, Cynthia Dicey's Song. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Voigt, Cynthia Izzy, Willy-Nilly. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Warner, Sally Sort of Forever. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Waters, Kate Sarah Morton's Day; A Day In The Life of a Pilgrim Girl. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Watkins, Yoko Kawashima So Far from the Bamboo Grove. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Weiss, M. Jerry (Editor) From One Experience to Another. 7 High School (9-12)  
Wells, Rosemary Rachel Field's Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Wells, Rosemary Streets of Gold. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Westall, Robert Gulf. 7 High School (9-12)  
Whelan, Gloria Hannah. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Whelan, Gloria Miranda's Last Stand. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Whitcomb, Mary E. Odd Velvet. 7 Primary (K-2)  
White, Ruth Belle Prater's Boy. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Wiesel, Elie Dawn. 7 High School (9-12)  
Wilder, Laura Ingalls Little House on the Prairie. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Wilson, Nancy Hope Becoming Felix. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Winter, Jeanette Sebastian: a book about Bach. 7 Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Wojciechowska, Maia Shadow of a Bull. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Woodson, Jacqueline Maizon at Blue Hill. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Woodson, Jacqueline We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past. 7 Primary (K-2)  
Wright, Richard Native Son. 7 High School (9-12)  
Yee, Paul Ghost Train. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Yep, Laurence Dragon's Gate. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Yep, Laurence Ribbons. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Yolen, Jane Devil's Arithmetic, The. 7 Middle School (6-8)  
Yolen, Jane Encounter. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8)  
Zelinsky, Paul Rapunzel. 7 Upper Elementary (3-5)  
Zion, Gene Harry, the Dirty Dog. 7 Primary (K-2)