• A Day No Pigs Would Die
• A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
• Among the Hidden by Haddix 
• Bats by Zindel
• Because of Winn Dixie vy DiCamillo
• Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 
• Crossroads, by Paul Pitts
• Doom Stone by Zindel
• Forged by Fire by Sharon Draper (for mature 8th graders)
• Freak the MIghty by Philbrick
• Gary Paulsen books
• Harris and Me by Paulsen,
• Hatchet, by G. Paulsen (this has several sequels -- good way to hook your "reluctant" readers.
• Holes by Louis Sachar
• Joey Pigza books by Jack Gantos
• Lemony Snicket books
• Loch by Zindel
• Maniac Magee, by J. Spinelli
• Night of the Twisters by Ruckman
• Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen -- few scenes are a bit graphic (gory) 
• No More Dead Dogs by Korman. 
• Pigman by Zindel
• Raptor by Zindel
• Rats by Zindel
• Redwall by Brian Jacques
• Reef of Death by Zindel
• SMALL STEPS the year I had polio by Peg Kehret. 
• Space Station Seventh Grade 
• Tangerine by Bloor
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Robinson. 
• Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen 
• Tough Cookie
• Watsons go to Birmingham.by Christopher Paul Curtis 
• The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence