The following books are recommended as good reading for sixth graders
by the Nassau Library System and the Long Beach Public Library.
An asterisk (*) after the author's name means that this book is part of a series.

Biography | Historical Fiction | Mystery | Non-Fiction
Realistic Fiction | Science Fiction and Fantasy

BIOGRAPHY
Martha Graham, A Dancer's Life by Russell Freedman. A photo-biography of the American dancer, teacher and choreographer, who became a leading figure in the world of modern dance.

Knots On My Yo-Yo String: the Autobiography of a Kid by Jerry Spinelli.This Newbery-award-winning children's author presents a humorous account of his childhood and youth in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

HISTORICAL FICTION
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman. In 1849, twelve-year-old Lucy tries to adjust to her new life after her family moves from a civilized town in Massachusetts to a rough mining town in California.

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker by Cynthia DeFelice. After his family members die of tuberculosis in 1849, twelve-year-old Lucas becomes a doctor's apprentice.

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher. In ancient Persia, thirteen-year-old Marjan, a crippled girl, joins the Sultan's harem and gathers the stories that will save the queen Shahrazad's life.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. In a series of poems, fifteen-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's farm in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl years of the Great Depression.

Jip, His Story by Katherine Paterson. While living on a Vermont poor farm during the 1850's, Jip learns his true identity and begins to understand why and how he came to live at this place.

Tucket's Ride by Gary Paulsen*. After losing their way in the wilderness, fifteen-year-old Francis and his two young companions face capture at the hands of dangerous men.

Moving Mama to Town by Ronder Thomas Young. After his father runs off, thirteen-year-old Freddy moves his mother from their Georgia farm into town and takes on the challenge of holding his family together.

MYSTERY
Going Through the Gate by Janet Anderson. In a small town, five sixth grade students prepare for their teacher's mysterious annual graduation ceremony.

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix. When a diphtheria epidemic hits her 1840's village, thirteen-year-old Jessie must leave the comfort of home in search of help for her little sister.

The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence. Off the coast of England in 1799, shipwrecked fourteen-year-old John attempts to save his father and himself while dealing with an evil secret surrounding the village where he is stranded.

NON-FICTION
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of the Shackelton and the Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong. An exciting and fascinating account of the 1914 exploration of the expedition, that left Shackelton and his men shipwrecked on the frozen Antarctic Sea.

The Great Fire by Jim Murphy. Told through the eyes of several survivors, this is a fascinating account of the infamous fire that decimated most of Chicago in 1871.

REALISTIC FICTION
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech. Thirteen-year old Zinnia uncovers family secrets and self-truths while clearing a mysterious trail that begins on her family's farm in Kentucky.

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer.Fleeing an impending marriage to a cruel man, eleven-year-old Nhamo sets out from childhood determined to be a magician.

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt. During the summer in 1971 in a small Texas town, thirteen-year-old Toby and his best friend meet the star of a sideshow act, 600-pound Zachary, the fattest boy in the world.

Stranded by Ben Mikaelson. Wanting to prove her self-reliance to her parents, twelve-year-old Koby tries to rescue two pilot whales near her home in the Florida Keys.

Holes by Louis Sachar. As further evidence of his family's ill fortune, Stanley is sent to a hellish correctional camp where he finds his first real friend, a treasure and a new sense of himself.

Crash by Jerry Spinelli. Through his relationship with an unusual Quaker boy and his love for his ill grandfather, tough seventh grade Crash learns the true meaning of friendship and the importance of family.

Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White.After his mother disappears, Woodrow moves in with his grandmother and befriends his cousin who helps him find the strength to face his terrible loss.

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
Skellig by David Almond.Unhappy about his baby sister's illness and his move into a dilapidated old house, Michael retreats to the backyard shed where he discovers a strange owl-like man.

The King of Shadows by Susan Cooper.
While working in a replica of the famous Globe Theater in London, Nat finds himself transported back to 1599 and performing in the original theater under the guidance of Shakespeare himself.

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson. Deciding that he must have a child to carry on his evil traditions, the Great Wizard Arriman announces a contest among the witches of Todcaster, one of which will marry him.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. A retelling of the classic Cinderella story, in which Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.

Clockwork by Philip Pullman. In a small German village, a storyteller's story and an apprentice clockwork-maker's nightmare meet in a menacing lifelike figure created by the strange Doctor Kalmenius.

The Islander by Cynthia Rylant. Living with his grandfather on an island, orphaned ten-year-old Daniel feels deep loneliness until the night he meets a mermaid.

This booklist was prepared by Joni Simon, Port Washington Public Library.
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