7th Grade Book List – World Literature
I earn a commission from products purchased through links in this post.
Every summer I create a personalized book list for my kids to read over the next school year. The book lists are tailored specifically for my children and usually have some sort of theme. This year’s 7th grade book list is no different.
A few years ago I created a 7th grade book list for my daughter. It was full of wonderful books and she enjoyed reading them. However, I wanted something a little different for my son.
My family originally planned to do quite a bit of international travel over the next school year. It will be my oldest child’s last year fully homeschooled before dual enrolling and we wanted to take advantage of the homeschool flexibility while we had it. Obviously, the global pandemic put a damper on our international travel plans.
Part of teaching our children resiliency is modeling making lemonade out of lemons.
If we can’t travel the world via planes next year, we will travel the world through books.
I created this 7th grade book list to feature world literature choices.
My goals for this book list were to:
- feature at least one country from every continent with the exception of Antarctica
- include books appropriate for middle school students
- not paint other countries in an unfairly negative light
- include books that will interest my active 12-year-old son
I love reading, so diving into books with my kids is one of my favorite parts of homeschooling (although it is hard to choose just one!).
Typically I use library books as a big part of our homeschool, but my local library shut down for so long at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that I am buying the books this school year. I don’t want to rely on a service that might not be available.
7th Grade Book List
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
- Ages 10 and up
- Grades 5 and up
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: Africa
Country: Sudan
A Long Walk to Water tells the true story of two 11 year olds.
Salva, a young man, becomes one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. He and the other boys walk on foot for many miles searching for safety and other lost family members.
Nya, a young lady, walks over four hours every single day in order to find water for her family.
My daughter and I read this book together a few years ago and still talk about it today. I know I said that I wanted to create a fresh 7th grade book list for my son, but I couldn’t skip reading this important book with him.
This book presents a look at a life that is completely foreign to many kids. It makes us realize how lucky we are to have things that are so basic we don’t even think about them often – clean running water, safe homes, and family.
Related: A Long Walk to Water Lesson Plans
A Million Shades of Gray by Cynthia Kadohata
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: Asia
Country: Vietnam
A Million Shades of Gray tells the story of 12 year old Y’Tin. He is one of the best elephant trainers in his village. He hopes to one day open his own elephant training school to teach others his skills.
That all changes when the Viet Cong invades and occupies his village. Now he has to decide whether to stay held captive or try to escape with his elephants through the jungle.
I selected this book to learn about the geography and culture of Vietnam, but to also introduce my son to a part of world history that isn’t often discussed in middle school curricula.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: Europe
Country: Russia
Saving Zasha is the historical fiction story of how 13 year old Mikhail tries to save the last German Shepherd in Russia after WWII. German Shepherds were illegal in Russia post-WWII, so this was no easy task.
Mikhail must work hard to prevent Zasha from being discovered and destroyed.
My son LOVES dogs, so I knew that I had to add this book to his 7th grade book list as soon as I saw it.
Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: Europe
Country: England
Homeschooling through the holidays is much more pleasant when I incorporate Christmas fun into our lessons.
I selected this holiday book for the 7th grade book list because my daughter’s 10th grade reading list Christmas story is also set in England. December is always a busy month, so I wanted to combine at least the geography part of my children’s World Literature studies.
This story is technically a fictional work set in the North Pole, but Tolkien lived in England with his children, so that is where our geography component will focus.
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote letters from Saint Nick to his children every Christmas. The letters told of all sorts of North Pole mischief – reindeer running loose, a polar bear falling through Santa’s roof, and other adventures.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: North America
Country: Canada
Brian, a 13 year old boy, is on his way to visit his father when his plane crashes. He is the lone survivor and must face the Canadian wilderness alone with only his clothes, a windbreaker, and a hatchet.
I knew this book belonged on my son’s 7th grade book list because he has been interested in survival skills for years. He took a survival skills class at a homeschool co-op a few years ago and was instantly hooked. He even wore out his flint and steel fire starter!
Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: South America
Country: Peru
Secret of the Andes tells the story of an adolescent boy, Cusi, who tends llamas in the mountains of Peru.
Are you noticing an animal theme in this 7th grade book list? My son loves animals, so I’m hoping that the variety of animals will draw him into the stories.
I hope that my son will learn about the cultures and geography of Peru as well as Incan history.
Storm Boy & Other Stories by Colin Thiele
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Continent: Oceania
Country: Australia
Storm Boy, a child living near the coast of Southern Australia, finds an injured pelican. He works to care for and nurse the bird back to health.
This collection features short stories set around Australia. Storm Boy is the one I will be requiring my son to read, but I suspect a few of the others will catch his attention too.
Have you read any of the stories on this 7th grade book list? I am looking forward to reading and chatting about these books with my son.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Keep reading . . .
