7th Grade Book List
The Renaissance, Reformation, and Age of Exploration—a time when humanity questioned old ideas and discovered new worlds. Plus life science and pre-algebra.
📚 Core Texts for the Year
- The Second Mrs. Giaconda by E.L. Konigsburg
Renaissance historical fiction
- Around the World in a Hundred Years by Jean Fritz
Age of Exploration
- Starry Messenger by Peter Sís
Galileo and the Scientific Revolution
- Encounter by Jane Yolen
Indigenous perspective on colonization
- Cells and body systems resources by Various
Life science foundations
🔬 Life Science Reading
- The Way We Work by David Macaulay
Human body systems
- Cells by Various
Building blocks of life
- Genetics for Kids by Various
Introduction to heredity
- Ecology field guides by Various
Local ecosystem study
Unit 1: Lammas – The Renaissance Begins
- The Second Mrs. Giaconda by E.L. Konigsburg
Leonardo da Vinci novel
- Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley
Illustrated biography
- Michelangelo by Diane Stanley
Renaissance master
- The Renaissance by Various
Overview of the period
Unit 2: Mabon – Renaissance Art & Science
- Leonardo's Horse by Jean Fritz
Art and ambition
- Starry Messenger by Peter Sís
Galileo's story
- What Makes a Leonardo a Leonardo? by Richard Mühlberger
Art analysis
- The Printing Press by Various
Gutenberg's revolution
Unit 3: Samhain – The Reformation
- Martin Luther by Various
The 95 Theses
- Reformation stories by Various
Religious change in Europe
- The Renaissance & Reformation by Various
Connected movements
- Primary source documents by Various
Historical analysis
Unit 4: Yule – Age of Exploration
- Around the World in a Hundred Years by Jean Fritz
Exploration overview
- Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad
Columbus voyage fiction
- Magellan's World by Stuart Waldman
First circumnavigation
- Encounter by Jane Yolen
Indigenous perspective
Unit 5: Imbolc – Colonization & Encounter
- 1491 (Young Readers Edition) by Charles Mann
Americas before Columbus
- The Tainos by Various
Caribbean peoples
- Morning Girl by Michael Dorris
Pre-contact Caribbean
- Colonization perspectives by Various
Multiple viewpoints
Unit 6: Ostara – Scientific Revolution
- Starry Messenger by Peter Sís
Galileo's discoveries
- Isaac Newton by Kathleen Krull
Laws of motion
- The Scientific Revolution by Various
Changing worldviews
- Copernicus by Various
Heliocentric model
Unit 7: Beltane – Enlightenment Ideas
- The Enlightenment by Various
Age of Reason
- John Locke by Various
Natural rights
- Voltaire by Various
Freedom of thought
- Connecting to democracy by Various
Ideas that shaped nations
Unit 8: Litha – Summer Projects
- Renaissance art projects by Various
Hands-on creativity
- Biography projects by Various
Research and present
- Science fair preparation by Various
Inquiry projects
- Portfolio development by Various
Best work collection
📖 Tips for 7th Grade Reading
- • Multiple perspectives – Read about exploration from both European and Indigenous viewpoints
- • Primary sources – Practice analyzing historical documents
- • Art appreciation – Study Renaissance masterpieces alongside reading
- • Science connections – Link Scientific Revolution reading to hands-on experiments
- • Research papers – Practice proper citations and note-taking