Peabody Public Schools - Curriculum & Instruction

All incoming seventh grade students will be required to read either Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli or High Heat by Carl Deuker; students will be tested on the mandatory title on Wednesday, September 9. All students will select a second book from the optional book list below. Students will participate in a book discussion group on Wednesday, September 16 led by school and community members. Download a printable version.

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER for Grade 7 (PDF)
These documents are also available for students at the Peabody Institute Library and the main office at the Higgins Middle School.
NON-FICTION GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

All students entering grade seven must read one of the following two titles:

Click on the title below to see if the Peabody Institute Library has a copy on the shelf.
Stargirl (2000) | Stargirl [Sound Recording]

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl has been home schooled until she enters Mica Area High School in Mica, Arizona, in the 10th grade. Everything about Stargirl is different: She plays her guitar and sings Happy Birthday to students during lunch, commits random acts of kindness, and does not mind remaining anonymous. The students do not know how to deal with her. They are curious and speculate about her. They ignore her, embrace her, shun her, and then accept some of her ideas. One student, Leo, becomes Stargirl's significant other. Leo is not mature enough to accept the shunning and some of the other negative consequences of his relationship with Stargirl. He walks away, experiencing an overwhelming sense of loss. He is able to come to terms with this only after many years. $9.00

Jerry Spinelli's Website

High Heat by Carl Deuker
As the star closer for his high school baseball team, Shane Hunter is untouchable. Firing fastballs at ninety miles an hour, he loves being a winner. But when his father is accused of a crime, Shane's charmed world is turned upside down. Nothing is the way it once was, and Shane's not sure he wants to - or even can - pitch ever again. But like baseball, life sometimes throws you curves, and Shane discovers it's how you play the game that counts most of all. $7.00

Carl Deuker's Website

Click on the title below to see if the Peabody Institute Library has a copy on the shelf.
High Heat (2003)

Pick from one of the following book discussion options. Click on a book cover for more information.
Assessment: Students will participate in a book talk during the second week of school led by school and community
members in September 2009. A written summary form will be provided to students to aid the discussion.