Best Books for 6th Graders

A brilliant mind trapped in a body that won't cooperate. Melody, with cerebral palsy, cannot walk or talk, but has a photographic memory. Her classmates label her as mentally challenged, but Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. Follow her story as she proves them all wrong in a breakthrough novel that will change your view on disabilities forever.

A young boy named Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake, a detention center where boys are forced to dig holes all day. But as Stanley soon realizes, there's more going on than just character building. With humor and creativity, this modern classic explores themes of crime, punishment, and redemption. Plus, get a sneak peek at the author's other novels.

In a world where the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to a witch, one year a baby is filled with extraordinary magic. The witch, Xan, decides to raise the girl as her own, but as her thirteenth birthday approaches, Luna's magic begins to emerge with dangerous consequences. With deadly birds and a young man determined to kill the witch, tensions rise in a captivating novel that won the 2017 Newbery Medal.

Embark on a thrilling journey through space and time with Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they search for Meg's missing father, a scientist who vanished while working on a secret government project involving a mysterious concept called a tesseract. A Wrinkle in Time is a unique and captivating story that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Winner of the Newberry Medal in 1963, this book is a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure.

A suspenseful tale for young readers follows a sixth-grader named Miranda who begins receiving messages from an unknown sender. As the messages become more personal and prove their accuracy by predicting future events, Miranda starts to believe that she holds the key to preventing a tragedy from occurring. But time is running out, and the final note she receives may suggest that it's already too late.

Set during the turmoil of World War 2, this inspiring tale of resilience follows young Ada as she escapes her one-room apartment to be with her brother. As she embarks on a new life with a caring caretaker, Ada teaches herself to read and ride a pony, all while keeping watch for German spies. A heart-warming story of family and identity, and a must-read for fans of Number the Stars.

A young boy and his family move to Alcatraz Island, where his dad works as an electrician for the prison. He joins a community of other kids whose parents work on the island and live surrounded by criminals. Life is anything but ordinary in this unique and unforgettable setting.

A heartwarming and humorous novel that explores the challenges of feeling different and finding acceptance within a family that revolves around a brother with autism. Follow Catherine as she navigates through the difficulties of teaching David the rules while discovering her own surprising behavior and the true meaning of normal.

A young girl named Ellie is tired of being shamed about her weight and tries to cope with the "Fat Girl Rules." Her safe space is in the water where she feels weightless and can take up as much space as she wants. Ellie finds allies in her dad, therapist, and new neighbor who support her as she learns to embrace herself and let go of the rules.

Embark on a thrilling adventure as twelve-year-old Percy Jackson sets out to catch a thief who has stolen Zeus' master bolt - the original weapon of mass destruction. Accompanied by a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy travels across the United States, facing mythical foes and coming to terms with a father he never knew. Don't miss this quest full of danger, betrayal, and self-discovery.