The last day of school for the year was both the best day and the worst day. It was the best because summer meant not waking up at 6:30 am every day, beach time, and hanging out with friends 25/8. It was also the worst because it was the day that the teacher handed out the dreaded sheet full of summer reading books that needed to be completed by the first day of school. If you were really lucky, there was an accompanying question sheet, instructions to write a five-page paper, or a simple statement — "record daily journal entries for every chapter you read." If you ever went to middle school, you'll definitely remember these 13 books.
1. "The Giver"
After reading this one, you felt both rebellious and inappropriate for your newly developed crush on the cute kid in class.
2. "Lord of The Flies"
Let's be honest, you didn't know that this one was based on World War II until Google told you so.
3. "To Kill a Mockingbird"
This one made you cry a couple of times. It made you incredibly angry about the state of the country. But it was also one of the best books you ever read.
4. "Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths"
I still remember having to make an in-depth newspaper about this *shivers*
5. "Stargirl"
The cover alone told you that this wasn't going to be the ordinary (or boring) school book. After this book, you were inspired to avoid conforming and to express your individuality.
6. "The House of the Scorpion"
This one was weird... just weird. That's all I have to say about it.
7. "The Most Dangerous Game"
This book may or may not have given you some horrible nightmares about being hunted that made you wake up in a cold sweat...
8. "Bud, Not Buddy"
The lighter tone on a very serious topic made this book a lot easier to digest than some other ones that your teachers made you read.
9. "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Alright book, horrible movie... If you thought you'd take the easy way out by watching the movie instead, you regretted your decision immensely.
10. "Fever 1793"
You cried sad tears when the grandpa died, and happy tears when Nathaniel and Matilda reunited.
11. "The Great Gatsby"
The only thing 6th grade you could think was, "what girl wouldn't swoon over those elaborate balls thrown by the handsome and rich Mr. Gatsby?"
12. "Tuesdays With Morrie"
I know that you, too, still aspire to have as kind-hearted of a relationship as Morrie and Mitch did on those 14 Tuesdays.
13. "Flowers For Algernon"
*break out the pint of ice cream and cue the waterworks*