The Best List of Books for 6th Graders

Looking to expand your classroom library or recommend books for your 6th graders? Look no further. I have cultivated the best list of books for 6th graders! As an ELA teacher, I’ve read my fair share of YA novels – the good and the bad.

I want to share the books that have hooked my students (and myself), and ignited a love of reading in my students (which is the best feeling ever).

Ghost by Jason Reynolds – Realistic Fiction

Castle Cranshaw has always been athletic. When he challenges an elite sprinter to a race, Castle learns he has a talent for running. While he may be talented, Castle is fighting internal battles. He is angry and has a troubling past. Will he be able to outrun his past, or will it catch up to him?

If you’ve ever read a book by Jason Reynolds, then you know what you’re getting yourself into. His books can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. And they are always powerful reads. Naturally, I had to create a Ghosts Novel Unit to use in book clubs. And every year, many students say it’s the best book they’ve ever read. Explore fiction with this irresistible novel!

Stargazing by Jen Wang – Fiction, Graphic Novel

Moon moves in next door to Christine, and they become the best of friends. They share similar interests and tastes in music. They even share their deepest secrets. But when Moon faces unexpected circumstances, can Christine be the friend Moon needs?

This one had to make my list of books for 6th graders because the themes are perfect. This is a really sweet graphic novel that explores friendship and self-discovery. I think this book is great for 6th graders who are still coming into their own, and often dealing with complicated friendship dynamics (pretty much the theme of middle school).

House Arrest by KA Holt – Verse Novel

Timothy isn’t a bad kid, but he might have done something bad. He knows stealing is wrong, but he was stealing medicine for his sick brother. Now Timothy is on house arrest for a year. He has a year to prove that he’s not a bad kid. What could go wrong?

Okay…be ready for some tears with this one! This heart-wrenching novel will captivate your students from page one, and lead to some thought-provoking discussions on empathy, actions, and what it means to be a “bad person”. I use this House Arrest Novel Study to engage students in socratic seminar and teach the key elements of verse novels.

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson – Literary NonFiction

In April 1965, Abraham Lincoln’s killer was on the loose. This young adult thriller takes students on the journey to find the killer. Using original sources, this book documents the twelve day journey from Washington DC to the forests of Virginia to catch John Wilkes Booth.

Throughout the years, many students have asked to read scary stories or thrillers – which is hard to find in YA. This book fills that gap, so it had to be on the list of books for 6th graders. While it isn’t scary, the wild journey to catch a killer will captivate students. If you want a page-turning novel, check out Chasing Lincoln’s Killer Novel Unit. Your students will explore elements of literary nonfiction with this unit.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang – Realistic Fiction

Mia Tang is keeping lots of secrets. For one, she lives in a motel, not a big fancy house. Second, her family hides immigrants in the empty motel rooms. And third, she wants to be a writer, despite her mothers protests. Will Mia be able to make it through the summer keeping all these secrets intact?

This book is a great mix of lighthearted and moving. I’d be lying if I said my students always finished the novel smiling. Usually, they say, “Mrs. Cahill! Why did you tell me to read that?! It was sad!” Hey – life is sad sometimes! I can’t help it. This one made it onto the list of books for 6th graders because it’s able to explore complex, important concepts in a middle grades friendly way.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix – Dystopian

Luke is a shadow child. He is a forbidden third child by the Population Police. Luke has never been to school or had friends. One day, he sees a girl in the window of a house – a place where two children already live. Luke is willing to risk it all to meet another shadow child.

My students are always hooked when we read this book, so I added it to my list of books for 6th graders. It’s a fast paced read, and the make believe world pulls them in. When we complete the Among the Hidden Novel Study, my students are engaged in a socratic seminar – and ready to share all their thoughts. We discuss elements of dystopian novels, like world building, imagery, theme, mood, and more.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Dystopian

Thomas wakes up in a strange place with no memories. The same thing has happened to every single boy in this strange place – they woke up with no memories. And now, they are trapped in a changing maze. That is until one day, a girl arrives in the maze and the message she delivers startles them all.

Honestly, what students don’t love action and suspense? This book is a classic in schools for a reason! I have created a super in-depth novel unit for The Maze Runner, containing 28 lesson plans. By the end, I think your students will be obsessed with this book as mine were!

I hope this list of books for 6th graders inspired lots of ideas for your in-class novel units! If you want more novel units you can use in 6th grade, check out all my recommended books here.