1. "Monster"- Walter Dean Myers

Monster was published in 1999, and is written in the form of a screenplay and diary entries from the main character. The story follows the main character, Steve Harmon, as he goes through a trial of being accused of a crime that he did not commit. For eighth graders who are going into high school, Monster provides them with a genuine introduction of how the world can generally and stereo typically view minorities, but especially black men. Recently, the movie has been developed into a film. Walter Dean Myers left behind a legacy of wonderful books that give a realistic and honest view of what it means to be a black person in America.

2." To Kill A Mockingbird"- Harper Lee

This is book on the summer reading list of just about every Pre-AP English student, but it is there for a very important reason. Harper Lee wrote a timeless book about the ugly truth of racism that is sadly still prevalent in the world today. There are many lessons to be learned to this book, but especially why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.

3. "Burned"- Ellen Hopkins

This book details a young woman growing up in a deeply religious and abusive family, and how she manages to find herself and come into her own as young woman. The first thing that captures the attention of readers is definitely the cover design. The hardback version of the book features a rough cover with the letters of the title, as if they've been set ablaze or burned. Also, what young reader will find interesting about this book is that it is written in free verse, which is usually reserved for poems or prose. Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, Ellen Hopkins does a great job of being brutally honest about the dark side of growing up in an overly-religious, abusive, and oppressive household.