Books for 6th Graders
The following titles are appropriate for those reading at a 6th Grade level. Click the titles to locate or reserve a book.
J Fiction Books
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (J-Award)
Twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health.
Imaginary by Lee Bacon
Eleven-year-old Zach knows he is too old to have an imaginary playmate, but between grieving for the loss of his father and coping with bullying at school the only place he seems to find joy is in his fantasy world with his best friend Shovel.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (J-Award)
In this epic fantasy about a girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster and a perfectly tiny dragon, Luna must learn to manage the powerful magic buried deep inside her.
Serafina's Promise by Ann Burg
In a poor village outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Serafina works hard to help her family, but dreams of going to school and becoming a doctor--then the earthquake hits and Serafina must summon all her courage to find her father and still get medicine for her sick baby brother as she promised.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
When a 12-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back. (Part of the Artemis Fowl series)
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
Leslie Connor, the acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, has created another warm and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope.
Cuba In My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas
In 1961 Cuba, with the threat of military service for children looming, twelve-year-old Cumba's parents send him to Miami, where he lives with a new family and misses his homeland.
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves. When a man steals money from his friend, Elijah goes on a dangerous journey in pursuit.
The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
Newbery Medalist Christopher Paul Curtis brings his trademark humor and heart to the story of a boy struggling to do right in the face of history's cruelest evils.
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
Ben may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: C.I.A. or nothing! One day, Ben is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science that’s actually a front for a junior C.I.A. academy. Could the C.I.A. really want him? (Spy School series)
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where only two children are allowed in each family, Luke has lived in fear, until another “third” convinces him that the government is wrong. (Part of the Shadow Children series)
The Lucky Ones by Linda Williams Jackson
In 1967, when his teacher loans him a copy of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," eleven-year-old Ellis Earl Brown is amazed to encounter a family worse off than his own and wonders if happy endings only come in books.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie worked in her father’s hat shop, until the Witch of the Waste came in to buy a bonnet. She was not pleased and turned Sophie into an old lady in an act of spiteful witchery. Sophie must meet the Witch of the Waste head-on.
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
Now that they’re in middle school, Amina’s best friend is hanging out with the “cool” girls and talking about changing her name to something more “American." As Amina grapples with her identity, an act of hatred against her mosque raises the stakes of being a Muslim girl in America.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
The Pickles are new to Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, a town which legend says was once magic--but Felicity is convinced the magic is still there, and with the help of her new friend Jonah the Beedle she hopes to bring the magic back.
The Giver by Lois Lowry (J-Award)
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.
Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina (J-Award)
When Merci begins the 6th grade she knows things will change, but she didn’t count on her grandfather acting strangely, not fitting in at her school and dealing with Edna Santos’ jealousy.
The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (J-Award)
Jess and Leslie become fast friends and spend most days in the woods, where they invent an enchanted land. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (J-Award)
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
When Percy learns that he is a half-blood, he goes to demigod camp where he and his new friends try to prevent a war between the gods. (Part of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series)
Holes by Louis Sachar (J-Award)
Stanley is under a curse that began with his grand-father. When he is unjustly sent to a detention center where the warden makes the boys “build character” by spending all day digging holes, he realizes there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake.
Amber & Clay by Amber Schlitz
The Newbery Medal-winning author of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! gives readers a virtuoso performance in verse in this profoundly original epic pitched just right for fans of poetry, history, mythology, and fantasy.
The Case of the Missing Marquess : an Enola Holmes mystery by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes, much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, must travel to London in disguise to unravel the disappearance of her missing mother.
The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
Miss Penelope Lumley is hired as governess to three young children who have been raised by wolves and must teach them to behave in a civilized manner.
Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede
Rather than marry a boring prince, Princess Cimorene runs away to become assistant to the dragon Kazul. (Part of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles)
J Graphic Novels
Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke
Jack dreads summer because his mom has to work and leaves him with his boring little sister who is autistic and doesn’t talk. Ever. But one day while at a flea market, she tells Jack to trade their mom’s car for a box of mysterious seeds. (Mighty Jack series)
New Kid by Jerry Craft
After his parents send him to a prestigious private school known for its academics, Jordan Banks finds himself torn between two worlds.
Real Friends by Shannon Hale
When her best friend starts hanging out with the most popular girl in class, Shannon questions whether they will stay friends.
The Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Renier
Walter Bean is happiest when he gets to spend time tinkering on his inventions in his grandfather's workshop, but when his grandfather acquires a curse, Walter must embark on dangerous quest to return a pearl skull to the witches who made it.
