6th Grade Book Recommendations
You do not have to read all of these books. These are just a few book options that you might want to read this summer. We have put together this list for your convenience. Please pick 5 books.​
A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket,
Recommended By: Colombe G., Arnav G.
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This is the story of three kids, the eldest Violet, the middle child Klaus, and the youngest Sunny. When a mysterious fire destroys everything they love, including their large home and parents , they are placed with their closest living guardian. Their new guardian is a cruel man who wants their enormous fortune and will not give up even when they are passed on to different guardians after series of "unfortunate events."
The Grimm series, by Adam Gidwitz,
Recommended By: Colombe G.
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Jack and Jill and an annoying frog go on a journey leaving behind their pasts to find a mirror. Along the way the children face some pretty grim things like giants, evil mermaids, terrible goblins, and more. Each of the stories on their journey is based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
The Roar, by Emma Clayton
Recommended By: Michael P.
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This is a post-apocalyptic novel. Twins Mika and Ellie live behind a concrete wall with barbed wire on top and guarded with cannons. They are told that the wall protects them from the animal plague outside the wall.
Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper
Recommended by: Vivienne W.
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Melody cannot walk or talk but inside her head she knows much more than everyone thinks. When there is an opportunity she may just be able to tell the world how she is feeling.
Echo, by Pam Munoz Ryan
Recommended by: Anjali M.
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This book is about 3 different people and how their lives all connect through one single harmonica. They all are in bad situations such as war and poverty, but music makes that all fade away for them.
The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
Recommended by: Kate W., Vivienne W.
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Four gifted children work with a man Mr. Benedict. They try to overthrow the evil leader, Ledthropa Curtain, of L.I.V.E (The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened). This book has danger but also some point for laughs when they do unimaginable things during their quest for what’s right.
The Diary of Anne Frank, by Anne Frank
Recommended by: Colombe G.
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The famous diary of a young Jewish girl in the Holocaust. She wrote her diary over the span of two years in which her family was in hiding in an Annex in the Netherlands to escape the Nazis.
The Inquisitor's Tale, by Adam Gidwitz
Recommended by: Kate W.
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This takes place in medieval France. It starts when a man comes to an inn to hear the story of the kingdom’s most wanted criminals: three magical children and their holy dog. Together, the three children must try to defend the holy books of the persecuted Jews, and find out their powers. This book deals with heavy topics, but there are also laughs provided by the supporting characters in the book.
The Green Bicycle, by Haifaa al-Mansour
Recommended by: Christina I.
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Eleven year old Wadjda lives in the capital of Saudi Arabia. Wadjda stands out from her classmates, especially for her much-loved Chuck Taylors that serve her well running around town with her BFF Abdullah. When he gets a bike, she wants one, too, so they can race, and she quickly sets her heart on a beautiful green bike that just turned up in a local shop. She soon learns that Good Muslim Girls aren't allowed to ride bikes.
The Goldfish Boy, by Lisa Thompson
Recommended by: Kate W.
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Matthew, struggling with OCD, a condition which in this case mean he is terrified of germs and cannot leave the house or have anything be imperfect without fainting. Matthew stays in his bedroom all day, documenting the actions of everyone he sees out his window. When two-year-old Teddy Dawson mysteriously goes missing, it’s up to Matthew (often known as “the goldfish boy”), and Melody, a strange girl who seems to go into the graveyard one time too many, to figure out who is the kidnapper.
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Recommended by: Kate W.
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Miranda lives in New York City and starts receiving notes. The person writing her the notes seems to have an ability to predict the future. All Miranda knows from the letters is that whenever they reach her, something will have changed.
Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, by Judy Blume
Recommended by: Christina I.
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Margaret Simon finds that eleven-going-on-twelve would be such a hard age. When her family moves to New Jersey, she has to adjust to life in the suburbs, a different school, and a whole new group of friends. Margaret knows she needs someone to talk to about growing up-and it's not long before she's found a solution. “Are you there God? It's me, Margaret.”
The Unwanteds Series, by Lisa McMann
Recommended by: 4th Grade Students
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In a place named Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories. The Wanteds get to go to university, and the others are artists, otherwise known as Unwanteds, they are sent to their deaths. Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to stay free from pain and distress when his fate is announced as an Unwanted, while he has to face leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted.
The Secrets of Droon Series, by Tony Abbott
Recommended by: 4th Grade Students
Eric, Julie, and Neal who discover a magical world in Eric's basement. Throughout the series, they work with a princess, the wizard Galen, and other citizens to defend Droon from the evil sorcerer Lord Sparr.