Sixth Grade 40-Book Project
Bridgewater Middle School
For sixth grade reading, your child is challenged to read 40 books for the entire school year.
This project is outlined in the well-regarded book, The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. The 40
books will be divided into ten books or more per nine weeks. This will include up to five books from
their summer reading, but will NOT include books read in elementary school. Listed below is the
breakdown per genres of the 40 books:
Poetry
Traditional literature
Realistic fiction
Historical fiction
Fantasy
Mystery
Informational
Biography, autobiography
or memoir
Books of your choice
3
2
5
5
6
4
5
Total:
40
2
8
Our purpose with this challenge is to 1) build your child’s stamina as a reader; 2) increase
vocabulary knowledge; and 3) perfect comprehension skills by reading a variety of texts. Research
shows these skills need to be in place before your child encounters rigorous academic content. In
other words, the struggles with academic content are enough of a challenge; your child needs to
have comprehension skills and strategies well in place. We believe sixth grade is a golden
opportunity for your child to become a life-long reader. Research supports that strong readers are
academically more successful. Ask to see the graphic detailing the importance of reading 20
minutes/night that is in your child’s binder.
While there is NOT a specific list of books to read as each child reads at a different reading
level and also has his/her own individual interests, we will be providing your child with some
suggestions as we cover different genres. Our job is to find that “home-run” book for your child. We
want your child to have the power of choice in selecting reading texts. Any reading done for any
other class will count towards the 40-Book Project. If your child reads an informational book for
Science, it may be counted towards the 40 books. Books read for AR will also count as a part of the
40 books. We are striving to make this project a rigorous challenge, but an enjoyable one at the
same time.
Here’s how you can help your child reach this goal:
1. Time management—Help your child develop a calendar that makes reading a
habitual activity. This may mean reducing TV and/or video game time. Encourage
your child to “steal” moments to read—on the bus, for example. There will be some
time given in class for independent reading, but the majority of their reading will be
done outside of class.
2. Read some of the books together and discuss as a family. Your reading has a
powerful influence on your child. Children who see their parents reading are more
likely to be readers themselves.
3. Help your child to know when to abandon a book. If your child is really struggling
with a book, perhaps it’s just not the right time for that book. It’s ok to abandon
books—just make sure your child has given the book a fair chance.
The question of how many pages per book is difficult to answer, but for the sake of simplicity,
we (the Reading Department) have decided that for a book to count, it must be 150 pages or more.
For poetry and informational texts (these tend to be shorter texts), students may need to read
multiple books to equal 150 pages. For example, they may read 2 books of 75 pages each. On the
flip side, if a student reads a 450-page book, that would equal three books for that particular genre.
Please know that it is our intent to assist your child in any way possible for him/her to be
successful. We want them to “stretch” themselves as readers as again, this moment in time in their
life is pivotal for future academic success. We thank you for your support, and we are excited to
celebrate your child’s growth in reading! Please sign below acknowledging that you have read the
information regarding the 40-Book Project and have your child return it by Tuesday, August 26.
This information sheet will be returned to your child for reference.
Signed: ________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
NAME: ___________________________________________
40-Book Reading Log
PERIOD: _________
As you finish a book towards your 40, record the title, author, and number of pages under the
appropriate category. Under “Your Book Choice”, you will also record the genre as well. You will be
turning this in at the end of every quarter for a grade. Each quarter you are expected to read a
minimum of ten books at your level.
POETRY (3)
TITLE
1.
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
TITLE
1.
AUTHOR
N/A
# OF PAGES
2.
N/A
2.
3.
TRAD. LIT. (2)
REALISTIC FICTION (5)
TITLE
1.
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
2.
3.
4.
5.
HISTORICAL FICTION (5)
TITLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
FANTASY (6)
TITLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
MYSTERY (4)
TITLE
1.
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
AUTHOR/GENRE
# OF PAGES
2.
3.
4.
INFORMATIONAL (5)
TITLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
BIO, AUTOBIO, OR MEMOIR (2)
TITLE
1.
2.
YOUR CHOICE (8)
TITLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.