This summer reading list for 6th graders is chock full of great books that tackle a wide variety of subjects that will interest kids heading off to middle school. The books are great for kids ages 11-12.
There is a book to satisfy every sixth grader, whether they want funny books, serious stories, fantastical tales, graphic novels – even nonfiction! Make sure kids are allowed to pick out their own books so that reading is fun, not a chore. (TIP: Our Reading Bingo card may help!)
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Table of contents
Since sixth graders (11-12 year olds) read at different levels the following summer reading lists will also be helpful:
Fantasy and Sci-Fi
The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts by Alex Bell
12-year-old apprentice librarian, Eli, enters a competition to win enough prize money to save his grandmother. In the adventure of a lifetime, bookish Eli and his moon tortoise compete against bigger and badder magical creatures. Whimsical and clever storytelling make this a great summer read!
Out of the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr
11-year-old Honey and her family have been living out of their converted ice cream truck in a valley populated by mystical horses since she was four. A magic keeps the family protected but also prevents them from leaving. However, one of the horses is now going to help Honey leave so she can find help for her ill Papa. This is a unique speculative fantasy perfect for kids who like stories of magical portals.
Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger and Paul Dellinger
Fuzzy is a funny science fiction book for kids. Seventh grader Max(ine) loves robots and is super excited that her school is about to get the first robot student as part of the Robot Integration Program. Teachers and principal are already robots and Max needs to figure out why her grades are mysteriously declining, despite her diligent studying. Together, with Fuzzy the robot student, she discovers an evil evaluation system run by none other than the principal!
MORE: Classic and Contemporary Science Fiction for Kids
The Barren Grounds (The Misewa Saga series) by David A. Robertson
Morgan and Eli are Cree children living with White foster parents in Winnipeg. They feel the cultural disconnect between their living situation and their cultural ancestry. After an argument with their well-meaning but misguided foster parents, the two find solace in the attic where Eli's drawing becomes a portal to AskÃ, a wintery world where time passes differently (yeah, I thought of Narnia, too). In AskÃ, they meet Ochek, a hunter along with Arik the squirrel, and together they set out to save the Misewa community.
Historical Fiction
The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin
Yelchin's illustrated, semi-autobiographical novel about growing up in the USSR is hilarious. Yevgeny’s ballet-obsessed mother wants him to be a dancer like her beloved Baryshnikov. He family is aware that displaying talent leads to small freedoms that may otherwise be elusive in their restricted society. Little does she know that Yevgeny spends his evenings drawing on the underside of the dining room table. Yevgeny’s Jewish family lives in such a small apartment that, as the youngest, he sleeps under the table. The discovery of Yevgney's talent provides the family with some hope. Yelchin's writing and illustrations masterfully walk the line between tragedy and comedy. Very enjoyable!
MORE: 100 of the Funniest Funny Chapter & Middle Grade Books
The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats
Did your reader enjoy Anne of Green Gables or Little House on the Prairie? This is their next read! After her father is killed in the Civil War, Jane, her stepmother and her brother set off to Washington Territory. They are part of a group led by a man who insists that it is a good place for widows and children. Jane worries that she doesn't have the strength to live in her new home. When her stepmother remarries, the new husband gives Jane the freedom to learn the skills she needs for the rough frontier and she gain a new confidence in herself and a contentment she didn't expect.
Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant
Farrant's marvelous novel reads like a classic. In 1919, 13-year-old Ben wants to find his adoptive brother, Sam, who disappeared in France during the First World War. Back in England, he meets Lotti, who is being looked after by her unsympathetic aunt and uncle. Lotti is about to be sent away to boarding school and so she and Ben decide to take the Sparrowhawk, a narrowboat that is Ben and Sam's home, across the channel to find Sam and Lotti's grandmother. On their journey, Ben and Lotti meet supportive adults who help them to their destination. The story is full of dynamic characters that pull at your heartstrings.
Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide
1972 Uganda is not the typical setting for a children's novel and yet, readers will draw many parallels between the shocking events in which the Ugandan government expelled ethnic Indians from the country, and present-day xenophobic tensions and arguments over national borders. The narration, which alternates between two friends–Indian Asha and Ungandan Yesofu–explores the nature of loyalty, nationality and allows the reader to view the country's chaos through two different lenses. Powerful and moving.
MORE: Check out all our summer reading resources. Our summer reading BINGO cards include a card to encourage kids to read books set in different countries, perfect for this book list!
The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman
Valentina and Oksana both have fathers who work at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, but the girls do not get along. When the unthinkable happens and there is an explosion at the plant, the girls are evacuated. Oksana has to leave her mother and father behind and instead accompanies Valentina and her mother to Leningrad. The narrative alternates between the two girls in 1986, and Rifka in 1941, who we later learn is Valentina's grandmother. The girls learn secrets about their families, each other, and must learn out how to trust each other.
MORE: Historical Fiction with Strong Girl Protagonists
The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrations by Peter SÃs
Ryan's book is inspired by the childhood of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. Neftali is pressured by his father to study practical pursuits. But Neftali is a dreamer; he looks at the world and sees all its wonder. He spends his time writing about his observations, daydreaming and feeding his artistic soul. This book is absolutely beautiful. The lovely illustrations are an integral part of the storytelling. This book would also be a terrific read aloud for parents with middle school aged kids.
Contemporary Realism
Slacker (series) by Gordon Korman
Cameron loves video games so much he calls his constant gaming his "lifestyle." However, his inattention to other matters causes a small accident and his parents insist he do something in addition to gaming. Cameron and his friends come up with a plan which backfires on them, but in the end gives them a positive experience. What I liked about this book was not only the engaging writing style, but that video games were not demonized. In the end, Cameron realizes he doesn't need to stop gaming in order to add other experiences to his life. Kids will also love the follow up book, Level 13: A Slacker Novel.
MORE: Books for Kids Who'd Rather Play Video Games
Wild Ride by Keith Calabrese
Fasten your seatbelts! After her older brother takes their parents 1964 Mustang convertible on a joyride and it gets impounded, 12-year-old Charley and her friends have to rescue him from his predicament. But when they find a kidnapped accountant and a pair of thugs in the trunk, things really start to move fast! Spyware, selfish billionaires, high speed chases and save-the-world stakes keep the plot moving at a brisk pace with lots of laughs and clever protagonists.
How to Stay Invisible by Maggy C. Rudd
This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy survival stories like Hatchet. After his parents abandon him, 12-year-old Raymond heads to the woods, where he uses a hollowed out tree for shelter. Living alone with his dog, Raymond fishes and dumpster-dives for food and continues going to school. He keeps his secret from his new friends, the talkative Harlin, and an older man, Stigs, who has a sad history of his own. A compelling narrative and emotionally tense story that readers won't be able to put down.
MORE: Survival Stories for Kids Who Like Hatchet
Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lai
Listen, Slowly is a contemporary tale of a middle school girl, Mai, born to Vietnamese immigrants. Mai doesn't feel Vietnamese, she feels very "American!" One summer she is dismayed to learn that instead of spending time on the sunny beaches of her Californian home, she will be accompanying her father and grandmother to visit her extended family in Vietnam. This is an engaging coming of age story in which Mai learns to love her heritage and culture. Kids will absolutely relate to Mai on every level!
I, Funny, a Middle School Story (series) by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Patterson has a number of middle school-themed books but this series has sent my son into fits of giggles. Filled with comic-style illustrations, Jamie narrates his tale of his determination to become a stand up comic. He has a lot going on at home, but he decides to enter and win a comedy contest and won't let the judges give him the pity vote just because he is in a wheelchair. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Funny Middle Grade Books
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
12-year-old Efrén loves to watch his Ama make milagras for him and his twin siblings every morning. It seems like she is always making a miracle breakfast out of nothing. After his Ama is deported in a surprise raid, Efrén must look after the household, including his sibling who has a cognitive disability, while his Apa works hard to earn the money needed to bring Ama back to the family. Efrén's secret almost costs him his best friend, a white boy who lives with his grandmother, as well as his academic success. Readers will empathize with the struggles of living with immigration difficulties and the emotional chaos of being forcibly separated from a parent.
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
This free-verse novel begins in Syria around the start of the Arab Spring. Jude and her pregnant mother decide to emigrate to live with her uncle in America. Her older brother, caught up in the protests against the government, stays behind with their father. In America, Jude meets new friends and discovers an interest in theater. With unflinching honesty and a keen perception, Jude describes the transition from Syria to her experiences adjusting to living in America. A splendid book.
MORE: Middle grade books about refugees
Healer of the Water Monster (series) by Brian Young
Nathan is trying to avoid spending time with his dad's new girlfriend, so instead of heading to Las Vegas with his father, he convinces his divorced parents to let him visit his grandmother on the Navajo reservation. In the desert, Nathan encounters Pond, an ailing water monster from the Navajo Creation Story. From there, Nathan begins his epic adventure into the Navajo Third World with the help of the Holy Beings. Young intriguingly blends together Diné mythology and the contemporary world. Fantastic.
MORE: Books Featuring Indigenous Peoples
Serafina's Promise by Ann E. Burg
This is a moving story written in verse. Serafina, an 11-year-old living in Haiti, dreams of becoming a doctor. She works hard in her impoverished, isolated village to earn money for school fees and the uniform. Although she has supporters, her dreams are challenged when a flood and an earthquake bring devastation to her island home. This is a beautifully written book and will remind children that education is a privilege.
You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P. by Alex Gino
Jilly P. is learning about how society doesn't treat individuals equally and how she can be part of the solution. She befriends a fellow fantasy book fan, Profound, who is deaf and Black. When Jilly's sister is born deaf she starts to learn about Deaf culture and how her sister's whiteness makes her different than Profound. Her Black aunt encourages her to confront racism, even though her parents want to ignore racial tensions, both in the family and in society. Jilly is an eager student and is a positive role model for kids to learn how to support marginalized people.
MORE: Books about d/Deaf characters
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer
This page-turner is an epistolary novel. Avery and Bett's fathers are sending them to the same summer camp in hopes that they will become friends. The dads are dating and thinking about getting married. At first, Avery and Bett are determined to dislike each other, but instead end up the best of friends. The book deals with the meaning of friendship and family. Avery and Bett discuss their origin stories, so readers hear about blended families, adoption, surrogates and learn that families come in all combinations. I absolutely adored this book and even though it ends with a wedding, it's not the one you were expecting!
MORE: 17 Kids Books About Summer Camp
Graphic Novels
Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner
A last day of school pool party is the backdrop for this graphic novel about a diverse group of friends navigating feelings and peer relationships that will be recognizable to every middle schooler.
DnDoggos: Get the Party Started (series) by Scout Underhill
Got a kid who loves role playing games, especially Dungeons and Dragons? This graphic novel might tempt them to put down the 20-sided dice and pick up a book. A quirky group of dogs set out to play DnD and end up having a rollicking and hilarious adventure.
MORE: Funny Graphic Novel Series for Kids
Frazzled! (series) by Booki Vivat
Abbie Wu is starting middle school and she is looking for something to be "her thing." Abbie is also a little bit high strung and so when she and her friends decide to institute a lunch time revolution, the results are hilarious. Young readers who like their books to have a heavy dose of doodling will love this book. It's very refreshing and honest about the struggles of early teens trying to find their place, as well as all the embarrassing moments that take place on the journey.
Blancaflor, the Hero With Secret Powers by Nadja Spiegelman, illustrated by Sergio GarcÃa Sánchez
Blancaflor is no damsel in distress; she is the fearless rescuer of others! Inspired by Latin American folktales, this exciting graphic novel takes readers on a rollicking adventure when Blancaflor completes challenges in order to save the prince from an ogre. Also available in Spanish
MORE: Best Fantasy and Sci-Fi Graphic Novels for Kids
The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor
Mei is a Chinese-American girl living in the 19th century Sierra Nevadas, where her father is a cook at a logging camp. She tells tales of Auntie Po, a Paul Bunyon-like folk tale figure. Anti-Chinese sentiment and disgruntlement among the loggers leads to conflict and although Mei's father's white boss is well-meaning and supportive, his words are less effective than action. Although the story addresses serious subject matter, the overall tone if hopeful.
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
This is a simply lovely graphic novel about a girl who seeks answers about her family. One day, Pri finds a pashmina in an old suitcase. When she puts it on, she is transported to a vibrant India where she encounters an elephant and a peacock who become her guides. Pri begins a journey to find the answers to her questions in this marvelous story filled with magical realism.
Nonfiction and Memoirs
Radar and the Raft by Jeff Lantos
An exciting narrative tells the story of the history of the radar alongside how it played an essential role in rescuing a group of American stranded in shark-infested waters after their cargo ship had been torpedoed by a U-Boat. Lantos skillfully teaches his readers the science of radar while taking them on an exciting adventure.
Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin, illustrated by Jon Chad
Sheinkin can make any history topic a wild ride, and here he is certainly helped along by the terrific topic. The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872 is filled with a colorful cast of characters, hilarious hijinks, twisty tall tales, gobs of gasps and a plethora of humorous illustrations. A super, sparkling summer read.
Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals with Magnificent Minds by Christina Couch, illustrated by Daniel Duncan
Animal lovers, future neuroscientists, and fact lovers rejoice! Here is the perfect book for you. This is a fascinating look at how animal brains work, and how they compare to human brains. The author includes ideas for kids to try out investigative science research such as testing their memory and keeping dream journals.
Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, illustrated by Maris Wicks
In this thrilling graphic novel, the author and illustrator team up to tell the story of Mary Cleave and Valentina Tereshkova, the first women in space. The narrative centers on the women's journey through the training at NASA and their experience in a white male dominated world. Ottaviani and Wicks have written a marvelous tale with a heavy dose of humor; I found myself laughing much more than I expected to at a book about astronauts!
MORE: Best Middle Grade Nonfiction
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
In this graphic novel memoir, Jamieson and Mohamed tell the story of Mohamed's experience as a refugee living in a camp in Kenya. Readers will learn of the difficult life in a refugee camp but relate to the hopes of Omar and Hassan. Omar faces tough choices that could affect his future as well as his family and although the experiences of Omar and Hassan are likely to never be known by most readers of this book, readers will not soon forget them.
King George: What Was His Problem?: The Whole Hilarious Story of the American Revolution by Steve Sheinkin, illustrated by Tim Robinson
Formatted in a reluctant-historian, reader-reluctant friendly fashion, with lots of sub-sections, quotes, maps and illustration, this book is an informative delight. Sheinkin begins his narration by offering up the idea that his book is a "step-by-step guide to starting a revolution." Step 1: Kick out the French." And on it goes from there. If your kid has captured the history bug after reading, give them Sheinkin's follow-up, Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War.
J Jordan says
Great list. Thank you for sharing! So happy to have heard -and even own- some of these titles already!
Lynn says
Thank you so much 😊 These books are awesome I already know it!!