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Popular Grade 6 Books Every Young Reader Should Know

Try these Grade 6 books with your students to help them learn to love reading.

If you’ve read our blog post, 12 Awesome Middle Grade Books That Will Fascinate Your Students, you’ll know that we have a passion for reading. By the time students get to 6th grade, it’s important that they look at reading as enjoyment and continue to read every day. This list of Grade 6 books is perfect for students in the 8-12 age range. There are fun mystery books, books about historical events, books that deal with social issues, and much more – all grade 6 books your students are sure to enjoy. 

Finding perfect Grade 6 books doesn’t have to be difficult. There are so many books that will appeal to readers of all kinds. I hope you can find something in this list that will appeal to your Grade 6 readers. 

This Grade 6 Books recommendation post contains affiliate links that are of no cost to the reader. If you make a purchase through the provided links, this blog will receive a small commission to help with the financial costs of maintaining the site.

Popular Grade 6 Books 

Holes (Holes Series) by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats believes he lives under a curse that has doomed his family for decades. He is sent to a juvenile detention camp for a crime he did not commit. Every day he and the other boys are forced to dig holes for the camp warden, who is searching for something that was lost many years ago. What exactly is buried in this dried-up lake?

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
Kek is from Africa, where he lived with his family, but is sent to live with his aunt and cousin in America. In this new country, he experiences winter for the first time and begins to meet some friends while he waits to hear about his mother.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Roy moves to Florida, where he is experiencing issues fitting into his new school, and he is being bullied by a classmate. One day he spots a boy running without shoes on and decides to find him. He ends up meeting some new friends and joins them in their quest to stop the construction of a pancake house and save the endangered owls who currently live on the site.

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai
The true story of Malala Yousafzai and how she fought back against the Taliban for the right for girls to receive an education. At the age of ten, Malala was shot by the Taliban for her beliefs while riding the bus on her way home from school.

I Survived: Ten Thrilling Books (Boxed Set) by Lauren Tarshis
The books cover various historical disasters, such as the sinking of the Titanic, the 9/11 attacks, the Nazi invasion, and more. With relatable characters and exciting plots, these books are ideal for reluctant or young readers who enjoy thrilling and educational stories.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (Volume 1) by Dusti Bowling
Aven Green loves to make up wild stories about how she lost her arms, not that she was born without them. Her parents move them to Arizona to run an old western theme park, and Aven knows she will have to keep answering the question over and over again. She isn’t looking forward to her new life in Arizona but ends up meeting some friends with their own disabilities, and together they solve a mystery.

Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo
This moving story follows the young protagonist, Iqbal, who is sold into slavery at a carpet factory. His presence brings about a transformative change for the other mistreated children as he exposes their master’s deceitful intentions and inspires them to envision a future free from oppression.

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
In this heartfelt novel, Donna Gephart weaves a dual narrative focusing on two extraordinary individuals: Lily, a transgender girl, and Dunkin, a boy struggling with bipolar disorder. Despite the challenges they face, their paths intertwine one summer morning, leading to a profound and lasting impact on each other’s lives.

Masterminds (Masterminds, 1) by Gordon Korman
Eli Frieden experiences a life-altering event when he ventures beyond the boundaries of his hometown, Serenity. Determined to uncover the truth, Eli enlists his friends’ support, unravelling a series of clues that expose a startling revelation: their seemingly perfect community is connected to infamous criminal masterminds. Trust becomes a scarce commodity for the kids, who quickly realize that even their own parents may not be reliable.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Eleven-year-old Melody cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory and can remember everything. It is believed she is not capable of learning, but unknown to everyone, she is the smartest kid in school. Melody is determined to be heard and, with the help of a machine, is able to start communicating with others.

If you enjoyed this list of Grade 6 books, we encourage you to check out some of the other book lists we’ve compiled for this grade and more. Being a middle school reader is a fun time to discover what kinds of books you enjoy and continue to develop a love of reading.

If there are any grade 6 books we’re missing, feel free to connect with us on social media (@2peasandadog) to let us know your recommendations! 

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