On the Kindle, it's samples. I don't know if they're the same pages as the "Look inside this book" pages on the website.

Many Amazon books have the first chapter free. I think it's up to the publisher. I downloaded the first chapter of Leviathan Wakes, which is getting billed as a Firefly-esque space opera set in the asteroid belt.

I do not understand why they keep assigning the world's most depressing books to an age group already prone to depression.

It's a shame that Roller Skates never seemed to acquire literary heft. Being one of the best books ever doesn't seem to be a criterion. Lucinda is a child of privilege, but the book is about her discovering that others are less privileged and standing up for them. Also, it set me up to love Shakespeare.

Island of the Blue Dolphins? One of Octavia Butler's books?

It doesn't have a female protagonist, and it's a completely cliched suggestion from me, but how about Something Wicked This Way Comes ?

Mara of the Nile?

Actually, that's not a bad idea. What about some of Zilpha Keatley Snyder's stuff? I was reading her in 7th grade.

I loved the depressing books! Except The Red Pony, which I hated. It was boring and bleak. All the books I hated reading in high school were either two terse (Steinbeck and Hemingway) or too wordy (Hawthorne). I seriously hated both The Red Pony and The Old Man and the Sea more than any other books I had ever read. And I was not too fond of The Scarlet Letter.

I did LOVE Silas Marner and all Thomas Hardy, though.

Speaking of The Night Circus: art cards inspired by it. [link]

I may be purchasing them when I get home.

I can't remember what I read in 7th grade. I'm pretty sure I couldn't gauge age appropriateness for anyone save my own kids, and only because I have a good sense of their interests and their limits. I would trust Kat, what with the teaching middle school for decades and whatnot.

Speaking of age inappropriate reading, Franny wanted to read The Hunger Games so badly she snagged my copy and devoured it. Until chapter 6, right before the games start. Now she's put it aside for other books. So interesting to watch her negotiate her limits in that way.

Jilli, I want those cards! They are awesome, including the one that has the bit of the quote I adore.

I think 7th grade is a fun age -- lots of sophistication and innocence. I think Little Women, especially if they do US history is perfect.

I read a lot of John Jakes in 7th grade. Not appropriate but it wasn't assigned either.

I'd second other folks' recommendations of Something Wicked and A Little Princess, and, having looked at the Wikipedia plot summary for Mister Pip, have to frantically reiterate that it's way, way, way too dark for 7th graders. But, still, so very astonishingly good.