Great Reading: Grade Six

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The Population Police allow two children per family, no more. As a third child in this future society, Luke has spent his life in hiding – until he meets Jen, whose plan to free these “shadow children” draws Luke into the adventure of a lifetime. Sequels include Among the Imposters and Among the Betrayed.

Alien in a Bottle by Kathy Mackel.

Sean must find a way to convince his parents to let him pursue his dream of learning the art of glass-blowing. A trio of space aliens who appear from a magical bottle provide some unlikely assistance, with plenty of wild sci-fi adventure and goofy (sometimes gross!) humor along the way.

A Corner of the Universe by Ann Martin

It's 1960, and Hattie plans to spend a lazy summer reading and chatting with the occupants of the boardinghouse her parents run. When she is introduced to an uncle she never knew she had, and soon after, a traveling carnival comes to her quiet southern town, Hattie's summer proves more interesting than she ever expected.

Crispin: the Cross of Lead by Avi

This Newbery Award book, set in medieval England, details a peasant boy's life and involves much mystery and intrigue. Running for his life, Crispin must use his wits to survive.

The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsly

In this fantasy, Corinna has the demanding job of keeping The Folk fed and satisfied, lest they come out from their underground homes and destroy the inhabitants of the castle. A friendship with the attractive Finian, intrigue among the wealthy courtiers, and Corinna's mystical relationship with the seals in the ocean, make this beautiful story hard to put down.

Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered by Gary Paulsen

In this very funny classic set in the early 1950s, a city boy is taken in by his cousins on the farm. Many wild adventures with cousin Harris give the narrator the summer of his life.

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech

A story about a young girl at a point in her life when everything is shifting. Her mother is pregnant, her grandfather is forgetful, and her best friend, Max, is always moody.  

Into the Wild by Erin Hunter – Book 1 in the Warriors series

Your pet cat may remind you of a warrior, defending his territory and perhaps launching an ambush on your leg as you pass by. In this exciting fantasy series, brave cats like Firepaw and Graystripe inspire loyalty and heroism as they lead their clans into battle.

The Land by Mildred Taylor

Set before and after the Civil War, this story is the prequel to the author's Newbery Award book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry . Paul-Edward Logan wants to buy his own land and make a future for himself. His hard work and many obstacles are all a part of the deal.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordin

Camp Half-Blood is a summer camp for kids who just happen to have one of the ancient Greek gods as a parent. These kids need a space of their own, because they have quirks like understanding the Greek language better than English. They also need to learn to fight a race of monsters, and to avert a war between the gods. Sequels are The Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse.

A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories by Richard Peck

From 1929 to 1935, Joey and his sister visit their feisty Grandma Dowdel each summer. Each summer gets a story here – each one full of characters and tall-tale experiences that will keep you laughing. Sequels are A Year Down Yonder and Fair Weather.

Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng

Molly Moo n, living in a dreary orphanage in a small English town, discovers a hidden talent for hypnotism. Now that she's able to make other people do crazy things, she sets her sights on Broadway stardom. Harry Potter fans may like this book and its two sequels.

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

Tired of old-fashioned stories in which the dog always dies, eighth-grader Wallace decides to liven up the school musical, “Old Shep, My Pal”. This book is as funny as its title.

Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by LisaYee

Stanford's real talent is for basketball, and he's managed to flunk 6 th -grade English. Summer school looms, but how to win back the respect of his father, his friends, and that cute new girl he's just met?

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider turns teenage spy when he's recruited to investigate the makers of a super-powerful computer. No boy who likes fast-paced thrillers should miss this action-packed series! Sequels are Point Blank , Skeleton Key , and Eagle Strike.

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan

Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent to the arty Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he becomes involved in a very unusual staging of “The Sound of Music”. A cast of eccentric characters makes this Newbery Honor Book funny and memorable.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

This unusual novel is set in Venice, Italy. Prosper and Bo are orphans and live with a group of street kids. Scipio is the leader of the group, stealing to survive and support his friends. With an aunt and uncle in pursuit, Prosper and Bo must hide out in an abandoned movie theater. A magical merry-go-round and other secrets are involved. The sequel to this entertaining book is Inkheart.

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Bobby wakes up to find himself invisible – which can be kind of cool, but with the police involved thinking he's been kidnapped or murdered, Bobby needs all the help he can get. His new friend Alicia, who is blind, may be able to see a solution.

With Love from Spain, Melanie Martin by Carol Weston

The 11-year-old reveals her trials and triumphs in her diary, scattering goofy poems and the pronunciation of Spanish words throughout. Her brother, "Matt the Brat," is a source of both entertainment and exasperation with his bathroom humor, and Melanie is worried about her parents as they spend time with her mother's old flame.

The Worry Web Site by Jacqueline Wilson

Six short stories about the students in Mr. Speed's class. The stories range from the silly to the serious, as students are able to go to the class computer and anonymously enter their worry, and anyone can type in advice for them.

Non-Fiction

Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know about Fast Food by Eric Schlosser.

After you read about conditions on poultry farms and in slaughterhouses, and the ways fast food chains treat their teen workers, you may think twice about ordering that yummy burger.

The Head Bone's Connected To The Neck Bone: The Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful X-Ray by Carla Killough McClafferty

When X-rays were first discovered in the late 1800s, people thought up some strange – and dangerous – uses for them. There's fascinating history as well as science in this book.

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman

In 1848, Phineas Gage had the misfortune of having a 13-pound iron rod thrust through his skull in an accident on the job. He survived, but he was never quite the same, and his case gave 19 th -century doctors a unique opportunity to study how the brain works.

Piracy and Plunder: a Murderous Business by Milton Meltzer

So you thought you knew all about pirates? You'll find some new villains and some intriguing history here.

A Strong Right Arm: the Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson by Michelle Y. Green

Inspired by Jackie Robinson, Mamie fought prejudice against both women and African-Americans to pitch professionally. This true story of how a woman made it in the Negro Leagues is told in Ms Johnson's own words.

Tales of the Cryptids : Mysterious Creatures that May or May not Exist by Kelly Milner Halls.

You may have heard of the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot, but what about the Orang-pendek of Sumatra? Expand your knowledge of cryptozoology with this book.

Ask your librarian for more good books to read!

Compiled by Youth Services Department, Springfield City Library, 2007

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