Fiction List
Rising 6th Grade
$66 Summer by Armistead
It is the summer of 1955, and George plans to work for his grandmother in rural Alabama to earn
enough money to buy a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. What should have been a fun summer with
his friends becomes a ugly introduction to racism. George and his friends solve the mystery of a
man who has been missing.
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
As the only passenger, and the only female, on a transatlantic voyage in 1832, thirteen-year-old
Charlotte finds herself caught between a murderous captain and a mutinous crew.
Indian in the Cupboard by Banks
A nine-year-old boy receives a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds
himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life in the cupboard and befriends him.
Second Sight by Blackwood
What would you do if you knew of the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, and no one believed
you?
Kaleidoscope Eyes by Bryant
In the Summer of 1968, Lyza and her 2 friends are given a map to Captain Kidd’s lost treasure.
They search for the treasure while keeping it a secret from their families. It’s more fun than
worrying about the Vietnam war and Lyza’s missing mother.
The Incredible Journey by Burnford
A Siamese cat, an old bull terrier, and a young Labrador retriever travel together 250 miles
through the Canadian wilderness to find their family.
The White Mountains (any in the series) by Christopher
Young Will Parker and his companions make a perilous journey toward an outpost of freedom
where they hope to escape from the ruling Tripods, who capture mature human beings and make
them docile, obedient servants.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Coerr
Hospitalized with the dreaded atom bomb disease, leukemia, a child in Hiroshima races against
time to fold one thousand paper cranes to verify the legend that by doing so a sick person will
become healthy.
Half-Moon Investigation by Colfer
Fletcher Moon has always loved to solve mysteries. Now that he has finally been hired to solve a
class mystery he will need to deal with the notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.
Walk Two Moons by Creech
After her mother leaves home suddenly, thirteen-year-old Sal and her grandparents take a car trip
retracing her mother’s route. Sal recounts the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother also left.
Watsons go to Birmingham-1963 by Curtis
Newbery Honor
The Watsons have finally had enough of their ‘juvenile delinquent’ son. So he is going to live in
Alabama with his grandmother. They arrive in Birmingham for one of the terrifying moments in
recent history—the burning of a Baptist church with 4 children inside.
Because of Winn-Dixie by DiCamillo
Newberry Award Winner
An ugly dog who needs a home meets a lonely girl who needs a friend. Together they have
adventures and learn the secrets about her family.
City of Ember (any in the series) by Duprau
In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger. She runs
to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell 25 series by Evans
Due to an accident when he was born, Michael and strange electrical powers. He has always
thought it was just him but the truth is there are others out there and someone wants to gather
them all together.
The Black Stallion by Farley
Young Alec Ramsay is shipwrecked on a desert island with a horse destined to play an important
part in his life. Following their rescue, their adventure continues in America.
Mother-Daughter Book Club (any in the series) by Frederick
Four girls are signed up for a book club against their will; it was the mom’s idea. As they read
Little Women, they find they have more in common than they thought, and a strong friendship
develops.
Inkheart (any in the series) by Funke
Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs books for a living, can “read” fictional
characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service.
My Side of the Mountain by George
A young boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill
Mountains including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, and his animal friends.
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Giff
A troublesome twelve-year-old orphan remembers the only other time she was happy. It was in a
foster home with a family that truly seemed to care about her.
Old Yeller by Gipson
The stray dog sure was clever, and a smart dog could be a big help on the wild Texas frontier,
especially with Papa away on a long cattle drive up to Abilene. Strong and courageous, Old Yeller
proved that he could protect Travis’s family from any sort of danger. But can Travis do the same
for Old Yeller?
Football Genius by Green
A local story of Duluth junior high football and the Atlanta Falcons. Troy can read a defense and
know what the other team will do better than the pros. He is frustrated with his position (the
coach’s son gets the best position).
Belly Up by Gutman
Someone has murdered the hippopotamus at FunJungle! Teddy and Summer are convinced it’s
murder but they will have to solve this crime on their own because they don’t know who to trust.
Running Out of Time by Haddix
Jessie Keyser, 13, believes that she lives in the year 1840. The reality is that she and her family live
in a village that is used as a tourist attraction by unseen modern tourists. Jessie discovers the truth
when an epidemic strikes the unvaccinated children; her mother asks her to escape the village and
find a doctor.
Princess Academy by Hale
It has been decided that the next princess will come from the people who live on Mount Eskel.
The Prince himself will travel to the mountain to choose his bride, but first the girls must be
educated. This is the first opportunity for any school that these girls have ever had.
Hoot by Hiassen
Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy’s attempt to
save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site. A hilarious tale of unique
characters and adventures.
Flush by Hiassen
Noah’s dad is so mad about a casino boat that is flushing raw sewage into the Florida Keys that he
sinks it. When the boat is refloated and his Dad goes to jail, Noah aims to succeed where his
father failed with a crazy mix of characters and a clever solution.
Scat by Hiassen
A much feared science teacher goes missing when a fire breaks out during a field trip. A
mysterious sighting of a rare panther is somehow connected to the class bully, oil drilling, and the
missing teacher.
Chomp by Hiassen
A reality TV show wants to shoot an episode in the Florida Everglades. The “survivalist” star is a
fake but the alligators, bats and snakes are real. Just to keep things interesting there is also a girl
named Tuna running away from a crazy father.
Everything on a Waffle by Horvath
Primrose does not believe what everyone is telling her, that her parents died in a boating accident.
This is a hilarious tale of crazy babysitters, missing toes, and a restaurant that serves everything on
a waffle.
Across Five Aprils by Hunt
Young Jethro Creighton grows from a boy to a man when he is left to take care of the family farm
in Illinois during the difficult years of the Civil War.
Redwall by Jacques
When the peaceful life of ancient Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny
and his villainous hordes, Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of
Martin the Warrior which, he is convinced, will help Redwall’s inhabitants destroy the enemy.
The Phantom Toll Booth by Juster
This boy who can’t see the point to anything is knocked out of his humdrum by the sudden and
curious appearance of a tollbooth in his bedroom. Since Milo has absolutely nothing better to do,
he dusts off his toy car, pays the toll, and drives through.
Goose Chase by Kindl
Rather than marry a cruel king or a seemingly dim-witted prince, an enchanted goose girl endures
imprisonment, capture by several ogresses, and other dangers, before learning exactly who she is.
View from Saturday by Konigsburg
A championship academic quiz-bowl team is coached by Mrs. Olinski. She proudly observes her
students’ victories from the confines of a wheelchair. This quirky collection of students all have
something to offer the team that repeatedly beats older, more sophisticated competitors.
Young Sherlock Holmes The Legend Begins (any of the series) by Lane
Sherlock Holmes is only a young teen when he solves his first mystery.
Savvy by Law
Mibs is eagerly anticipating her 13th birthday; in her family, at 13 you get your ‘Savvy,’ a
supernatural power of some kind. Suddenly her father is injured and Mibs is convinced that she
will have the ability to heal him.
The Wreckers by Lawrence
John Spencer is thrilled to be aboard a ship at sea in the year 1799. His adventure takes a
dangerous turn when the ship is wrecked on the cliffs of a town accustomed to claiming the
salvage of sunken ships. They can only gather the wealth if the ship has no survivors, so John
doesn’t fit into their plan.
A Wrinkle in Time by L’Engle
Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg’s
father, who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.
Chronicles of Narnia by Lewis
Narnia . . . where a dragon awakens. Where anything can happen. A king and some unexpected
companions embark on a voyage that will take them beyond all known lands. They discover that
their quest is more than they imagined and that the world’s end is only the beginning.
Call of the Wild by London
The adventures of the loyal dog Buck, who is stolen from his comfortable family home and forced
into the harsh life of an Alaskan sled dog. Passed from master to master, Buck embarks on an
extraordinary journey that ends with his becoming the legendary leader of a wolf pack.
White Fang by London
The fast-paced action of White Fang never lets up; danger is always waiting beyond the next pile
of snow or beneath the claws of a snarling predator. Jack London’s classic sequel to The Call of the
Wild.
Gossamer by Lowry
In a haunting story that tiptoes between reality and imagination, two people—a lonely, sensitive
woman and a damaged, angry boy—face their own histories and discover what they can be to one
another, all from a tiny, caring creature they will never see.
Number the Stars by Lowry
The evacuation of Jews from Nazi-held Denmark is one of the great untold stories of World War
II. Word got out in Denmark that Jews were to be detained and then sent to the death camps.
Within hours, the Danish resistance, population and police arranged a small flotilla to help 7,000
Jews to Sweden.
Heat by Lupica
Michael Arroyo’s lightning fastball makes him the envy of all his teammates, but this speedy
southpaw labors under a secret that allows him no rest. Soft-spoken 12-year-old Cuban refugee
Mike worries that he and his 17-year-old brother, Carlos, stand in danger of being separated even
deported.
Rain Reign by Martin
Rose Howard has Asperger's syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a
homonym). Rain was a lost dog Rose's father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically
inseparable. Rose's father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn't have much patience for his
special-needs daughter. Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing.
Kate Walden directs Night of the Zombie Chickens by Mata
Night of the Zombie Chickens is supposed to be Kate Walden's breakout film, but when her best
friend ditches Kate for the most popular girl in seventh grade, Kate suddenly finds herself both
friendless and starless. Now Kate is the butt of every joke at school and consigned to the loser
table at lunch.
Urchin of the Riding Stars by Mcallister
An orphan squirrel discovered on the rocky shore of Mistmantle Island, Young Urchin wants
desperately to serve the king. On his very first morning in the Tower, the King’s only son is found
murdered and the wrong rodent is accused of the crime!
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
One thing’s for certain, no house that Anne’s in will ever be dull.” Anne is a lively red-headed
orphan adopted by mistake (they wanted a boy). For decades, girls have agreed, eagerly reading
every book in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s series that chronicles Anne’s coming of age.
Confessions from the Principal’s Chair by Myers
In Denver, Robin is in with the cool clique. They wear the same clothes, talk the same way, and
pick on the same girls. But her Mom isn’t going to tolerate the Queen Bee behavior.. A mix up
on the first day lands her in the wrong chair.
Wonder by Palacio
A boy with a seriously disfigured face attends school for the first time in the 5th grade. Told from
the perspective of the boy as well as his family and friends.
A Single Shard by Park
Two memorable characters, Tree-Ear and Crane-man, live under a bridge surviving on scraps but
desperately wanting to be more. The story takes place in 12th century Korea where a boy who
becomes so much more than anyone ever expected of him.
Bridge to Terabithia by Paterson
The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer.
They create a hideaway, Terabithia.
Middle School: Worst Years of my Life by Patterson & Tebbetts
Told through illustrations as well as text, this is the story of a boy who decides to break every rule
in the school handbook. He has a mysterious “friend” who helps him turn rule breaking into a
game with mixed results.
Hatchet by Paulsen
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian wilderness,
learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to
survive his parents' divorce.
The Island by Paulsen
For kids who love the outdoors or survival/wilderness stories, Gary Paulsen is king. Fifteen-yearold Will discovers himself and the wonders of nature when he leaves home to live on an island in
northern Wisconsin.
On the Wings of Heroes by Peck
Davy Bowman is determined to “do whatever it takes to win the war”. He may be too young to
fight, but his older brother is over there. Davy will collect scrap metal, scavenge for rubber, and
face great fears to do his part. This is a wonderful, sometimes hilarious, view of life back home
during WWII. A story for boys who like war and want to be heroes.
The Westing Game by Raskin
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs
who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance.
Lightning Thief by Riordan
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork. Percy could have sworn
his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out,
she knows it’s time that he knew the truth, and that he goes to the one place he’ll be safe. She
sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods.
Codename Zero by Rylander
Funny adventure story about a kid prankster who finds himself in the middle of a mystery. When
a desperate man in a nondescript black suit asks thirteen-year-old Carson Fender to deliver a
mysterious package for him, the middle schooler discovers there’s something going on in his sleepy
North Dakota hometown he had never expected.
Book of 100 Truths by Schumacher
As usual, 12-year-old Thea is spending part of her summer at her grandparents' house at the
Jersey shore, but this year, she is going with a secret. Her parents give her a notebook in which she
can write "truths." As you read her truths you discover the tragic event that made her into a liar.
The Mailbox by Shafer
Would you know what to do if you came home one day from sixth grade and found a dead body
on the floor? Gabe doesn’t want to go back to foster care, so he just pretends nothing is wrong.
That is when he starts to get the mysterious notes in the mailbox.
The Egypt Game by Snyder
The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she's not sure they'll have anything in common.
But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble
upon a deserted storage yard behind the A-Z Antiques and Curio Shop, they decide it's the
perfect spot for Egypt Game.
Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Sonnenblick
After Ever After by Sonnenblick
Sequel to Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
Wringer by Spinelli
As Palmer comes of age, he must either accept the violence of being a wringer at his town's annual
Pigeon Day or find the courage to oppose it.
Star Girl by Spinelli
Stargirl Caraway is the new girl in school. In fact she is new to any school. She used to be
homeschooled, so she doesn’t really understand all the rules about how to act in junior high. First
they hate her, then they love her, and then they hate her again.
The Hobbit by Tolkien
The adventures of the well-to-do hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who lives happily in his comfortable
home until a wandering wizard grants his wish.
Heir Apparent by Velde
While playing a total immersion virtual reality game of kings and intrigue, fourteen-year-old
Giannine learns that demonstrators have damaged the equipment to which she is connected, and
she must win the game quickly or be damaged herself.
Listening For Lions by Whelan
When Rachel is orphaned by the influenza epidemic in British East Africa in 1919, neighbors
force her to pretend she is their daughter.. The daughter of a missionary doctor and his wife,
Rachel has grown up connected to the African countryside and people.
Behind the Bedroom Wall by Williams
Korinna has been taught in school that Jews are the cause of all Germany’s problems. She goes to
Jungmadel meetings and hears even more about how terrible the Jews are. Imagine how she feels
when she finds her parents are hiding jews behind her very own walls.
Swiss Family Robinson by Wyss
Relates the fortunes of a shipwrecked family as they imaginatively adapt to life on an island with
abundant animal and plant life.