Grade 6 Favorite Summer Reads

Adventure/Mystery

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Realistic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Biographies and NonFiction

 

Adventure/Mystery

 

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Roy lives an ordinary boy life; he reads comics and is bullied around by the meanest kid in school, until one day when he spies a strange boy with no shoes skipping school. Roy decides to figure out what the boy is doing and help. Can Roy and the strange boy save the innocent owls and their homes?-- recommended by Evie

Banner in the Sky by James Ullman

This is a great adventure book about a boy named Rudi who loves mountain climbing. Rudi plays tricks on his Uncle Franz just so he can get to the top of the mountain by himself. His dad died on the mountain 15 years ago and his mother does not want him to die the same way his dad did. This is Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman. It is a wonderful book because it keeps you in suspense when Rudi is climbing the mountain and is about to fall. Rudi wants to prove to his town that he can climb the mountain without dying. Will Rudi even climb the mountain? Will he make it to the top?--recommended by Max

Skellig by David Almond

Skellig by David Almond is a terrific read for anyone. It is about a boy, Michael, who is in the middle of the chaos of a new born baby sister with heart troubles and moving into a fixer-upper house. One day he delves into the run-down garage and meets a creature that helps him get through the madness. -- recommended by John

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

In Venice, Italy, two boys flee from home after their parents die and are forced to live with their unkind aunt and uncle. They meet a boy named the Thief Lord who is leading a group of runaway children and steals to get money. The Thief Lord supports them, until they learn the horrible truth; can they ever trust the Thief Lord again? -- recommended by Lili

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider’s uncle just died in a severe car crash. But Rider won’t be fooled by that excuse. He knows how cautious his uncle is, and he would never be caught in the middle of a car crash. All of a sudden, while being guided to his uncle’s office by his friend, he finds himself working for a secret government organization. Now, his objective is to complete what his uncle didn’t… -- recommended by Michael

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

The second story in the series is about Alex Rider’s second mission. He is asked to investigate a mysterious school by the CIA. So he is given a whole new identity and is shipped off at once to Point Blanc in France. When he gets to the school he notices that everything is the same but different. Will Alex Rider succeed in his second mission? -- recommended by Elaysha

Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz

In the sequel to Eagle Strike, Alex once again finds himself in trouble. Alex is the new recruit to a group of terrorists that he believes is his true destiny. Alex goes into his father’s past to try and find out what he was: an MI6 agent or a S.C.O.R.P.I.A. agent. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes spy or action book. -- recommended by Pierce

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

In the sequel to Scorpia Alex Rider get himself into mischief again. While recuperating at a hospital, Alex is kidnapped by a terrorist group called Force Three. They take Alex to an abandoned building and leave him there. What Alex doesn’t know is that Force Three set the building on fire on the way out. This is my favorite book of the Alex Rider series. I recommend this book and the series to any one who likes a very suspenseful book. -- recommended by Andrew

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet is a wonderful book by Gary Paulsen. Brian is a boy who is very disappointed with life. His parents have divorced, and he is shuttled from one place to another. One day he is on a plane headed to where his father lives, but an unfortunate accident strands him alone in the wilderness. Will Brian live to make it to a sequel? Will he ever see his parents again? These questions and much more will be answered in Hatchet. -- recommended by Jack

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is a boy who has a hard life, getting kicked out of schools while living with his mom and his step dad. One day, though, when he is going on vacation with his mom, he finds out he is the son of a Greek god, and that there are many other kids just like him. When Percy is assigned to a quest he realizes that he isn’t just some ordinary kid from New York anymore. --recommended by Jimmy

The Killer's Cousin by Nancy Werlin

David, who is accused of killing his girlfriend, is sent to his aunt and uncle’s house where he meets Lily, his cousin. The aunt is hostile and the dad seems to be clueless. Lily’s sister, Kathy, had died four years ago and Lily’s actions become more and more aggressive towards the family. David realizes that her family holds a dark secret. Who killed Kathy? Read and find out!--recommended by Stacey

Congo by Michael Crichton

Congo is an action-thriller about an expedition gone horribly wrong. This book features a group of people who travel to Africa to discover a new species of gorilla. Suddenly the expedition goes from a harmless adventure to a trip to hell and back. --recommended by Peyton

 

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Matt, a cabin boy aboard a luxury airship, saves a dying balloonist whose ship has been damaged. The balloonist’s last words are about beautiful, winged creatures. One year later, the granddaughter of the balloonist takes passage on the airship, hoping to find the mysterious creatures.--recommended by librarians

 

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

The Giver by Lois Lowry

For any one who is looking for a book that will keep you wondering The Giver is the book for you. This sci-fi novel gives you a whole new perspective of life in a great story. Jonas, the main character, is born into a unit, or a family, and works through his school years. At the age of 12 each kid is given a job. Jonas is picked to be the giver and holds the feelings that the community doesn’t have. --Recommended by A.J.

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

This book is so addicting. You are always wondering what will happen next. It is an emotion filled book. You need to read in-between the lines! Kira lives in a different community where if you are crippled or have any non fixable problem, you get sent to the field. Kira herself has a crippled leg. That spells danger for her future. Her talent of weaving keeps her alive. She meets many new friends along the way while figuring out the secrets that the government is keeping from every one else. --Recommended by Katie

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau  

The people in an unknown city believe that they are the only people that exist. The city is called Ember. It is about to expire because the only way to make electricity is by a very old generator. Two children go out to find another place to live. The life of the entire city is in their hands. Will they save their city or let it die?
-- recommended by Hayat

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede  

This book is Book 1 of The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. This book is one of the most fabulous fantasy books that I have read. Princess Cimorene is bored with her life. She is not your usual princess that you may think of in some fairy-tale. No, Cimorene wants adventure, and excitement. Soon you will see that she isn’t bored with her life anymore. That is something that her new roommates changed for her.
-- recommended by Maggie

Nightrise (Gatekeepers #3)by Anthony Horowitz

Nightrise is the third book of the Gatekeepers series. Two twins that live in a small town in the desert don’t have that great of a life. They are orphans that are in a freak show. They have just found out that they are gatekeepers and that they have to protect the world from evil. If you like action books or Anthony Horowitz, this is a book for you.
-- recommended by Johnny

The Prophecy of the Stones by Flavia Bujor

Prophecy of the Stones is about three girls who were separated at birth and given to three different families. They each came with a stone that has magical powers. There foster parents are supposed to give them their stones and tell them their destiny of saving the world from the council of twelve on their 13 th birthday. But the council of twelve wishes to destroy them before it’s too late. This book is a mysterious romantic adventure fantasy that will blow your mind away.-- recommended by Kate

Magic Steps (Circle Opens Series #1) by Tamora Pierce

The Circle Opens is a phenomenal series by Tamora Pierce. This series is about four young magic users trying to control their powers. Can they save themselves from their fate? -- recommended by Olivia

 

Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce

The book Trickster’s Queen is the sequel to another fabulous book, Trickster’s Choice. Trickster’s Queen is about a young, feisty heroine named Aly who is trying to protect a royal family and the next queen in the midst of a raging battle. Will Aly succeed and put her dear friend on the throne or will Aly fail and be responsible for a massacre? Read the book to find out.--recommended by Emery

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

The book I am going to recommend is Eragon. It is a book about a boy who finds a dragon egg and raises the dragon inside it. This is an excellent book for people who like fantasy adventure.
--recommended by Sam

 

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

A princess named Ani is destined to be married to the prince of her neighboring kingdom. Nervous and unsure, Ani and her royal company set off to bring her to her new home. Along the way though, Ani’s life is suddenly turned into a struggle to survive when one of her lady’s in waiting revolts against her, trying to murder Ani for her title. Ani flees to the nearest town, and lives her life undercover as a goose girl. Will Ani escape the ugly plot for her death and return to her rightful place again? Advice: READ THIS BOOK!--recommended by Ella

 

Realistic Fiction

Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Moving from town to city and back to town again is what Hope is getting good at. Hope and her Aunt Sadie, an amazing diner cook, move from New York City to a little town in Wisconsin so her aunt can work at a diner called Welcome Stairs. Once they reach the diner they meet the owner and head cook, G.T. Stoop, a man struggling with leukemia who wants to become the mayor of the town. Together they will overcome G.T’s illness and learn the true meaning of honor and trust. -- reviewed by Hedieh.

Heat by Mike Lupica

Michael is a 13 year old boy who loves to play baseball, and he is really good at it. He is a pitcher for his local baseball team and loves to throw the heat. But he is facing other problems because the other teams don’t believe he is the right age because he can throw extremely fast. Now after his parents died the only good thing left in his life is being taken away from him, but he is determined to prove his talent and age so he can rightfully play. -- recommended by Ashton

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

In the second book in the Joey Pigzo trilogy, Joey (with his dog Pablo) goes to live with his divorced father and grandmother for the summer. His grandmother isn’t as mean as she used to be, but Joey’s father- who he is meeting for the first time- is just as wired as he used to be, maybe more. He also has a drinking problem and is very competitive, especially when he learns Joey has the pitching arm that could get his baseball team to the finals. Joey starts off okay with him, but soon his father talks Joey into not using his medication patches- the only thing that keeps him from going back to his old wired self. Joey soon learns that his old, dangerous, bouncing off walls self is coming back, and there is no way to stop it- the patches have long been thrown away. Also recommended is the first book Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. -- recommended by Russell

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

A girl named Ellie moves to Annapolis on her parents’ year off (sabbatical). Since her parents are medieval professors, she already knows a lot about medieval times and is even named after Elaine of Asolat, a woman who killed herself over Lancelot. In Annapolis, she meets a boy named Will who reminds her of King Arthur. At first she thinks it’s just a funny coincidence, but then Will’s life and Arthur’s start to seem eerily similar, with his girlfriend, Jennifer (Guinevere), best friend Lance (Lancelot), the relationship between his family members, and many other things. There is a teacher at the school, Avalon High (home of the Excaliburs), who thinks that Will is King Arthur reincarnated! Ellie doesn’t think so, because she’s sure she isn’t Elaine of Asolat, as she doesn’t like Lance. But then who is she, and what role does she play? And if it’s really true, is time about to run out for Will? -- recommended by Charlotte

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Naomi lives happily with her Gram and brother Owen until her mother, Skyla, returns after seven years, wanting to take Naomi with her to Las Vegas. Gram doesn’t want Naomi to be with her mother so she decides she must take Naomi and Owen to Mexico on a journey in which Naomi must find her father and herself through her soap carving talent. This is an amazing book. Pam Munoz Ryan develops a great character in Naomi and a wonderful plot. -- recommended by Julia

Find A Stranger, Say Good Bye by Lois Lowry

I really enjoyed reading Find A Stranger, Say Good Bye by Lois Lowry. It’s about a girl who was adopted from birth because her parents couldn’t look after her. Then, when she’s 16 years old, the summer before she leaves for college her adopted parents give her permission to go on her search for her mother. Does she find her? What does she do if she does? Will she like what she finds?--recommended by Madeline

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

In this book a young 12 year old girl meets her uncle for the first time. She has never met him because he has mental issues. As she learns to cope with Adam’s differences she learns to enjoy having him around. This book is a very heartwarming and sad book. In the end you learn a lesson about accepting people’s differences.--recommended by Amber

P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin

This is a charming book about two young girls who are best friends but live in different states. The whole book is a series of letters that they write to each other throughout their 7 th grade year. It is truly heartwarming how much these two care for each other even though they are thousands of miles apart. I recommend this book to every single girl in the world.--recommended by Grace

Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell

Sahara Special is about a girl named Sahara and she has troubles in school. When her mom finally gets fed up with Sahara working with special teachers, Sahara is moved to a regular class. When a new teacher comes to theirschool she changes Sahara’s life forever! I enjoyed this and read it in one day. People who enjoy realistic fiction would enjoy this book.--recommended by Alex

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

When Kate is diagnosed with leukemia at age seven, not just her life is changed, but her family’s, especially her sister’s. Nine years later, Kate is sixteen and Anna is thirteen, Anna has gone through myriad surgeries, shots, and transfusions. All of this is to keep Kate alive. Anna and Kate’s parents are clueless about how Anna feels. A touching novel that keeps you guessing, is Kate going to live or die? Read this book and find out. --recommended by Emily

Memories of Summer by Ruth White

Lyric has always enjoyed spending time with her fun- loving older sister Summer, but when Lyric and her family move to Flint, Michigan, Summer changes. She drops out of school and she becomes seriously ill. Lyric and her father are then faced with the most difficult decision of their lives; should they put Summer in the asylum? In this heart wrenching tale of sisterhood and hope, Lyric discovers just what love means. --recommended by Caroline

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Francie lives with her poor family. She and her brother go to school and work very hard to support themselves. They have a strict mother and irresponsible father. One day something interesting happens. This changes everyone's lives. There is also a huge twist at the end of this book. What is it? How will they go on? Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to find out! --recommended by Soraya

Historical Fiction

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

If you enjoy reading about the Holocaust, kids trying to stay alive by stealing, or people letting others die behind a brick wall with no food or clothes then you’ll enjoy Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. Milkweed is about a boy who is Jewish, Misha, and living in Poland during World War II. He gets taken in to a group of boys who steal food to stay alive. Life is good for a while. They have a surplus of food, but all of that changes when the Nazis come and force all of the Jews into a concentration camp.--recommended by Derek

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

Widge is a unique orphan who knows how to write an alphabet that is quicker to write. Later he gets adopted by a man who wants him to copy the lines to the new play Shakespeare is about to perform. When he reaches the theatre, he realizes that the actors were really nice and later became friends with the actors. Widge’s master threatens him to copy down the play. Widge doesn’t know if he should betray his new friends, or disappoint his master.--recommended by Michael

The Notorious Izzy Fink by Don Brown

The Notorious Izzy Fink is a great book and a great read. It is about a boy, Sam, who gets himself involved in the gang lifestyle in the turn of the twentieth century New York. This book is action packed with a great plot. I highly recommend it for boys who like to be boys.--recommended by Eli

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Fever 1793 is an exciting story of a brave girl, Mattie, whose mother gets sick from yellow fever. Her mother is taken from their house, and she is left alone with her grandfather. They must evacuate the house because of the sickness, and they are left wandering around Philadelphia with very little water and almost no food. Mattie is praying for her mother to come back, but there is very little chance. Will Mattie’s mother return? Read this amazing story to find out!--recommended by Ellie

The Green Glass Sea by Walter Dean Myers by Ellen Klages

Dewey has been staying with her grandma while her dad has been working to create a bomb that is going to end World War II at a special place in New Mexico with other scientists. Dewey’s grandma just died, so she has to go stay with her father. When she gets there, she has to promise to keep everything she has seen and heard a secret. She has a pass to get into the place where her dad works. Will Dewey keep the secret…or will she spill it and destroy the army’s plan? --recommended by Caroline

The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins by Walter Dean Myers by Gary D. Schmidt

When Scott was sent to his first battle, he was terrified. He fought all the same. After being sent on rescue missions, capturing the opposing Germans, and taking back land that was once theirs, he earned his respect and honor from the world. If you want to read a patriotic, action packed book, then this is the right one. However, this book also has meaning because Scott is seeing lots of people die every day. He loses the soft, nice person that he once was, and becomes a hard, rough person. Just read the book. --recommended by Griffin

Queen's Own Fool by Jane Yolen

Queen’s Own Fool is a phenomenal book about a young entertainer named Nicola. One day she gets to act in front of Queen Mary, and soon they become best friends. But when Queen Mary’s husband dies, she is forced to move back to her home, Scotland. The Scots are rebellious and known for their short temper. Soon, the Scots revolt and Queen Mary’s fate is put into Nicola’s hands. Can Nicola handle this pressure? Will she give up and leave her faithful queen? Or will she get her queen out of this mess? This book is truly a must read!--recommended by Devon

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Set in Maine in 1912, this powerful, haunting novel, propelled by a tragic historical event, probes a forbidden friendship between a preacher's son and a dark-skinned girl from a nearby island. Steeped in imagery and laced with surprising humor, the story explores powerlessness, possibility, and the difference individuals can make.--recommended by the librarians

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

Rachel is an ordinary seven year old Hawaiian with an ordinary life. Then, one day she gets a cut that she can’t feel and won’t go away, a sign of a disease called leprous. Rachel is sent to an island called Moloka’i where her life is supposed to end but for real it had just begun. This book is full of loss, happiness, love, sorrow and adventure. --recommended by Sarah

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman by Eleanor Updale

Montmorency is a great book that anyone can read and have fun doing so. It is 1875, Montmorency is running on the roof of a Museum with a hand full of jewels. He slips and falls through a skylight window. He wakes up in a hospital inside the prison walls. He swears never to steal again, but when he is finally let out the temptation of being a thief returns.--recommended by Jack

Montmorency is a book that was written for the kind of people that want a gripping story about someone clever. The year is 1875. What happens when a mischievous thief falls through a skylight window into a grinding machine? He is repaired by a young surgeon, over the course of a long term in jail. Of course, this is huge in London at the time, so he is taken to many showcases at the Scientific Society, shown like an item to the many professors and wealthy members of the town’s society. At one of these discussions, he hears about the new sewer system. Could this be used as an asset for stealing? A great tale of action and smarts.--recommended by Tommy

Biographies and Nonfiction

Bad Boys by Walter Dean Myers

Many people think of biographies as someone telling their boring life, and I did too. I took a chance and you should too, read Bad Boys by Walter Dean Myers. It was incredible! It tells the story of a boy (Walter) growing up, taking chances and sometimes making mistakes, big mistakes. He lives in one place where many things can happen, New York. He gets an opportunity to go to a great school, and takes it. Something bad happens with his priority list in life, and things go downhill from there. Bad Boy pretty much describes what he is like as a boy! -- recommended by Imani

One Nation Under a Groove by James Haskins

If you enjoy listening to pop music and rap music you will love to learn about its culture and where it came from. In this book James Haskins mentions that rap music originally comes from African rhythms. Mr. Haskins also points out the first rap song. I suggest that you read this book if you love music and history.--recommended by Sebastian

Maus by Art Spiegelman

Maus is a graphic novel about a man and his struggles though the Holocaust. The story is told in comic strips and the characters are animals. The pigs are Polish, the mice are Jewish, and the cats are Nazis. This is an amazing book. You are missing out if you have not read it.--recommended by Stephen

The Hot Zone by Richard Preston

The Hot Zone tells the horrifying story of a virus that kills nine out of ten people. It starts when a plane from Africa is carrying a sick passenger who later then dissolves into a human virus bomb. This book tells the true story of sickness that took place in Reston back in 1989. Reading this book you will learn about the highly lethal viruses that exist in the world.

Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado

Miracle in the Andes is about a 1970’s rugby team that crashed in the Andes Mountains. The author is one of the survivors of the crash. It is a true story, and actually happened about 35 years ago. Most of the people on the plane died, but many survived and are living today. The story is about Nando’s journey through hardships to try to save himself and his friends. It is sad, but an amazing survival story. A great read. --recommended by Will

One Day at Fenway by Steve Kettmann

One Day at Fenway is about The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox getting ready for a big rivalry series. This book is goes into the dugout of the Yankees and the things the players do to prepare for a game. Joe Torre, the Yankees manager, has a lot of things to do with his players and this book tells us what he does and what George Steinbrenner tells him to do. What will happen in the big series and what impact will it have on not only both organizations but the season as well? Read this book to find out. --recommended by Christopher

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer is a mountain climber who has always dreamed of climbing Everest, and when he is offered a job to report on a climb, he takes it. Little does Jon know of the disaster that awaits him on the mountain. This nonfiction book is a great adventure story and is a MUST for any good reader.--recommended by Jack