6th Grade
COUNTING BY 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan - Twelve-year-old genius and outsider Willow Chance must figure out how to connect with other people and find a surrogate family for herself after her parents are killed in a car accident. ECHO by Pam Munoz Ryan - Lost in the Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and finds himself entwined in a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica--and decades later three children, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find themselves caught up in the same thread of destiny in the darkest days of the twentieth century, struggling to keep their families intact, and tied together by the music of the same harmonica. MARK OF THE THEIF by Jennifer Nielsen - "When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds himself in possession of an ancient amulet filled with magic once reserved for the Gods, and becomes the center of a conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and destroy Rome.” TESLA’S ATTIC by Neil Shusterman - "With a plot combining science and the supernatural, four kids are caught up in a dangerous plan concocted by the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla" WONDER by R.J. Palacio - Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunts and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student. STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Angleberger, Tom -Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight. They try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Applegate, Katherine - Ivan is a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall. When he meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life. THE 100-YEAR-OLD SECRET by Barrett, Tracy - An American brother and sister living in London, discover that Sherlock Holmes was their great-great-great grandfather. They are inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives and given his unsolved casebook. They attempt to solve the case of a famous missing painting. SUMMER BEFORE BOYS by Baskin, Nora Raleigh - Julia and Eliza are lifelong friends who have shared everything until one develops her first real crush. The girls find themselves drifting apart until Eliza does something drastic to win Julia back. ALMOST HOME by Bauer, Joan - Sixth-grader Sugar and her mother lose their beloved house and experience the harsh world of homelessness. THE PUZZLING WORLD OF WINSTON BREEN: THE POTATO CHIP PUZZLES by Berlin, Eric. - Puzzle-crazy, twelve-year-old Winston and his ten-year-old sister Katie find themselves involved in a dangerous mystery involving a hidden ring. DOLL BONES by Black, Holly - Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. Just when it looks like the three might be growing up and leaving the game behind, Poppy reveals she is being haunted. Reality and make-believe begin to blend, and the three head out on an adventure they will never forget. THE JOURNEY THAT SAVED CURIOUS GEORGE: THE TRUE WARTIME ESCAPE OF MARGARET AND H. A. REY by Borden, Louise - This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of the Reys and their escape from Paris during World War II. BECAUSE OF MR. TERUPT by Buyea, Rob - Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt. SOCCERLAND by Choat, Beth - Flora is such a good soccer player that she has been invited to the International Sports Academy to compete for a chance on the U. S. Girls’ Soccer team. It’s her first time away from home, and she works hard to make new friends as well as trying to become the best soccer player that she can be. ABOUT AVERAGE by Clements, Andrew - As the end of sixth grade nears, Jordan Johnson, unhappy that she is only average in appearance, intelligence, and athletic ability, reveals her special skills when disaster strikes her central Illinois elementary school. TROUBLE-MAKER by Clements, Andrew - When his older brother gets in serious trouble, sixth-grader Clay decides to change his own mischief-making ways, but he cannot seem to shake his reputation as a troublemaker. POWERLESS by Cody, Matthew - A group of young people set out to discover why their very special powers disappear before their 13th birthday. WAITING FOR NORMAL by Connor, Leslie - Waiting for a “normal” life, Addie is forced to make it on her own when her mother neglects to live up to her responsibilities. THE GREAT UNEXPECTED by Creech, Sharon - Humorous and heartfelt, this is a story of pairs—of young Naomi and Lizzie, both orphans in present-day Blackbird Tree, USA, and of Sybil and Nula, grown-up sisters from faraway Rook's Orchard, Ireland, who have become estranged. THE TROUBLE WITH CHICKENS by Cronin, Doreen - J.J. Tully is a former search-and-rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to find their missing siblings. Driven by the promise of a cheeseburger, J.J. begins to track down clues. Is Vince the Funnel hiding something? Are there dark forces at work? THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE by Curtis, Christopher Paul - With love and determination befitting the "world's greatest family," Deza Malone, her brother Jimmie, and their parents endure tough times in Indiana and later Michigan, during the Great Depression. THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT by DiCamillo, Kate - When ten-year-old orphan Peter Augustus Duchene encounters a fortune teller in the marketplace, she tells him that his sister, who was presumed dead, is alive. He goes on a series of adventures to find her. OUT OF MY MIND by Draper, Sharon - Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time. MOCKINGBIRD by Erskine, Katherine - Ten-year-old Caitlin, who has Asperger's Syndrome, struggles to understand emotions, show empathy, and make friends at school, while at home she seeks closure by working on a project with her father. BETTER NATE THAN EVER by Federle, Tim - Nate Foster has big dreams. His whole life, he’s wanted to star in a Broadway show. But how is Nate supposed to make his dreams come true when he’s stuck in Jankburg, Pennsylvania, where no one (except his best pal Libby) appreciates a good show tune? With Libby’s help, Nate plans a daring overnight escape to New York. AMELIA LOST by Fleming, Candace - This book tells the story of Amelia Earhart's life - as a child, a woman, and a pilot - and describes the search for her missing plane. ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS by Freedman, Russell - Freedman tells the story of a friendship between two men who shared many characteristics. Lincoln and Douglass were both self-educated, born into poverty, and through relentless effort and hard work, reached great success. FREEDOM WALKERS by Freedman, Russell - The author breathes life into the key personalities and events that contributed to the yearlong civil rights struggle. The struggle became known as the Montgomery Bus Boycott. THE BOSTON TEA PARTY Freedman, Russell - More than any other event, the Boston Tea Party of 1773 has come to stand for the determination of American colonists to control their own destinies. From the arrival of the ships full of tea in Boston Harbor, through the protest meetings at the Old South Church, to the act of dumping 226 chests of tea into the harbor, Freedman captures this exciting story. PRINCESS ACADEMY: PALACE OF STONE by Hale, Shannon - Miri returns to Asland and calls upon all of her knowledge of rhetoric and other useful lessons learned at the Princess Academy when she and the other girls face strong opposition while working for a new, fair charter. This is the sequel to Princess Academy. CHOMP by Hiaasen, Carl - When filming an episode of the reality television show "Expedition Survival" in the Florida Everglades, the difficult star disappears. Wahoo and classmate, Tuna Gordon, set out to solve the mystery. ANNIE AND HELEN by Hopkinson, Deborah - This book describes the relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, and includes excerpts from letters written by Annie about her work with Helen. TITANIC: VOICES FROM DISASTER by Hopkinson, Deborah - Photographs, telegrams, letters, and first-person accounts from passengers, witnesses, and crew members provide multiple perspectives on the sinking of the Titanic. DYING TO MEET YOU: 43 OLD CEMETERY ROAD by Klise, Kate - In this story told mostly through letters, children's book author, I.B. Grumply, gets more than he bargained for when he rents a quiet place to write for the summer. SCHOOLED by Korman, Gordon - Capricorn Cap Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured in a fall, Cap is forced to attend the local middle school. Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared him for public school. UNGIFTED By Korman, Gordon - After pulling a major prank in school and due to an administrative mix-up, troublemaker Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. STEVE JOBS: THINKING DIFFERENTLY by Lakin, Patricia - Everyone knows that Steve Jobs was an entrepreneur and a visionary. This book discusses Jobs’ triumphs, but it also lets us see his human side. Readers are reminded that people who dare to dream can change the world. RACHEL CARSON AND HER BOOK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Lawlor, Laurie - Rachel Carson was an ordinary child who grew up to be a pioneer environmentalist. This biography shows that anyone can make a difference. A detailed epilogue explains more about the lasting impact of her book, Silent Spring. TOUCH BLUE by Lord, Cynthia - The state of Maine plans to shut down her island's schoolhouse, which would force her family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the numbers of students by having several families take in foster children. So now Tess and her family are taking a chance on Aaron, who has been bounced from home to home. THE POLAR BEAR SCIENTISTS by Lourie, Peter - Young readers can follow scientists as they scan the Alaskan wilderness for these magnificent creatures. DOG DAYS by Lubar, David - Larry has to work hard to try to earn money to buy food to feed three stray dogs. Now his brother has taken him to an alley where another dog is staying. How can he afford to take care of another dog? 11 BIRTHDAYS by Mass, Wendy -After celebrating their first nine same-day birthdays together, Amanda and Leo had a falling out on their tenth birthday and have not spoken since. Since not speaking to each other for the last year, they prepare to celebrate their eleventh birthday separately. Soon peculiar things begin to happen as the day of their birthday begins to repeat itself over and over again. 13 GIFTS by Mass, Wendy - Shortly before her thirteenth birthday, shy and withdrawn Tara is sent to stay with her aunt, uncle, and cousin in her parents' hometown of Willow Falls. She makes new friends and becomes involved with an elderly buyer and seller of collectibles, who seems to be trying to give Tara some kind of mysterious message. HOW OLIVER OLSON CHANGED THE WORLD by Mills, Claudia - Oliver has a problem…his parents are way too protective and to top it off, they won’t even let him do school projects by himself. When his teacher proclaims that anyone can change the world with a good idea, Oliver is skeptical but hopeful that it is true. THE FALSE PRINCE by Nielsen, Jennifer - In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a competition to be selected to impersonate the king's long-missing son. THE FANTASTIC SECRET OF OWEN JESTER by O’Conner, Barbara - Owen Jester wishes his family hadn’t moved to his grandfather’s house after his dad lost his job. For one thing, his grandfather’s live-in nurse knows how to ruin anyone’s idea of a good time. And then there’s Viola, the girl next door, who can’t ever mind her own business. Late one night, Owen hears a curious noise when the train passes by his grandfather’s house. Something mysterious and wonderful has fallen off the train. When Owen finally discovers what it is, he realizes he just might need a know-it-all after all. But can he trust Viola keep the most fantastic secret to ever tumble into Carter, Georgia? TIMMY FAILURE: NOW LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE by Pastis, Stephan - Timmy Failure is the founder, president, and CEO of the greatest detective agency in town. And he’s about to crack the biggest case of his generation: a school competition to find a stolen globe. It’s his ticket to bringing home a $500 prize, but shenanigans are afoot and must be stopped. DOGS ON DUTY by Patent, Dorothy Henshaw - The invaluable contributions of Military Working Dogs are well documented in this book. Patent discusses their special attributes such as the night vision and sense of smell that help these dogs keep their human partners safe. The roles they have played in World Wars I and II, in Vietnam, and in Iraq and Afghanistan are highlighted. Brief histories of individual dogs such as Stubby from World War I and Eli in Afghanistan are told. I FUNNY by Patterson, James and Chris Grabenstein - Wheelchair-bound Jamie Grimm resolves to become the world's greatest stand-up comedian despite less-than-funny challenges in his life. He endures bullying from his mean-spirited cousin and hopes he will be fairly judged when he enters a local comedy contest. Ellie Ever by Patterson, Nancy Ruth - After losing her father and all their possessions in a hurricane, nine-year-old Ellie and her mother move to a small apartment on a horse farm in Virginia. There her new classmates think that she lives in a mansion and is a princess. THE SECRETS AT SEA by Peck, Richard - In 1887, the social-climbing Cranston family is secretly accompanied on their voyage from New York to London by Helena and her mouse siblings. The journey is both terrifying and wondrous as the mice meet an array of titled humans despite their best efforts at remaining hidden. OKAY FOR NOW by Schmidt, Gary D. - As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, Doug Swieteck has no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother. He finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. WONDERSTRUCK by Selznick, Brian - Having lost his mother and his hearing in a short time, twelve-year-old Ben leaves his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he never knew in New York City. There he meets Rose, who is also longing for something missing from her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in pictures. SHOOTING KABUL by Senzai, N. H. - Escaping from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, eleven-year-old Fadi and his family immigrate to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Fadi schemes to return to the Pakistani refugee camp where his little sister was accidentally left behind. GUYS READ: FUNNY BUSINESS by Scieszka, Jon - Ten stories guaranteed to delight and amuse, from the following writers: Mac Barnett, Christopher Paul Curtis, Kate DiCamillo and Jon Scieszka, Paul Feig, Jack Gantos, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Adam Rex, and David Yoo are included. GUYS READ: THRILLER by Scieszka, Jon - This is a series of short stories that are full of mystery, intrigue, and nefarious activity. Featuring some of the best writers around, it is a pulse-pounding collection of brand-new short stories, each one guaranteed to keep you riveted until the final page. LINCOLN’S GRAVE ROBBERS by Sheinkin, Steve. A group of counterfeiters scheme to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body from his tomb and ransom his remains for money to free a master counterfeiter from jail. Secret Service agents learn of the plot, recruit an undercover agent to infiltrate the gang, and try to catch the criminals before they can rob Lincoln’s grave. SMILE by Telgemeier, Raina - Raina trips and severely injures her two front teeth. She copes with a variety of dental problems that affect her appearance and how she feels about herself. GIRLS THINK OF EVERYTHING: STORIES OF INGENIOUS INVENTIONS BY WOMEN by Thimmesh, Catherine and Melissa Sweet - This book tells how women throughout the ages have responded to situations confronting them in daily life by inventing such items as correction fluid, space helmets, and disposable diapers. THREE TIMES LUCKY by Turnage, Shelia. - LoBeau was washed ashore as a baby in tiny Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. Now eleven, Mo and her best friend turn detective when the co-owner of a café and his cook appear to be implicated in a murder. BROTHERS AT BAT: THE TRUE STORY OF AN AMAZING ALL-BROTHER BASEBALL TEAM by Weeks, Sarah - The Accerra family had 16 children, including 12 baseball-playing brothers. In the 1930s, the boys formed their own semiprofessional team and became the longest playing all-brother baseball team in history. PIE by Weeks, Sarah - Polly Portman’s award- winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map. After Polly’s death, her devoted niece Alice and Alice's friend investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly's secret pie crust recipe. Fourteen pie recipes are included. ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Williams-Garcia, Rita - In the summer of 1968, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters travel from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know. They arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp. EACH KINDNESS by Woodson, Jacqueline - When a newcomer is shunned by the popular girls, their teacher shows them how small acts of kindness can change the world. It is too late to undo the harm they have caused, but these students will take this anti-bullying message to heart. |
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