Summer Reading– 6TH GRADE ENGLISH
Teacher: Pam Sapp
[email protected]
Students should choose one book to read and write paragraphs
on from this list.
1. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
*Historical Fiction
Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great
Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes
to be his father - the renowned bandleader, H.E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.
2. The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster
*Fantasy
This is a modern fairy tale full of wordplay and adventure. It tells the story of a
bored boy named Milo who drives through a magic tollbooth into the Kingdom of
Wisdom, where he embarks on a noble quest. In the end, Milo learns a valuable
lesson.
3. My Side of the Mountain By Jean Craighead George
*Adventure
Sam is an unhappy kid living in New York City. He runs away to the Catskill
Mountains and lives by himself. Sam learns about courage, danger and
independence as he survives a year that will change his life forever.
4. Secret Garden By Frances Hodgson Burnett
*Historical Fiction
Mary, an English girl living in the early 1900’s, is sent to visit relatives in the
country. While exploring the estate, she discovers a secret garden that is wild and
beautiful. Mary uses her discovery to build a friendship with her sickly and rude
cousin.
5. The Many Rides of Paul Revere By James Cross Giblin
*Non-Fiction
This documents the life and amazing triumphs of one of the most well-known figures
in American history, Paul Revere.
6. On The Bike With Lance Armstrong By Matt Christopher
*Non-Fiction
Lance Armstrong has won the Tour de France, the world's most challenging bike
race, four consecutive times. He's been the World Road Cycling Champion three
times and claimed a medal at the Sydney Olympics. When he was 25 years old,
Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer. How he fought back against this life-
threatening disease and went on to take the cycling world by storm is a story that
continues to amaze and inspire fans worldwide.
7. The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
*Historical Fiction/ fantasy
Two kids with an avid interest in ancient Egypt develop a model of the land in an
abandoned storage yard. It’s all a simple game until strange events give the kids a a
year to remember.
8. Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan
*Fiction
Jake Semple has one last chance. Expelled from every school he has attended, sent
to live with a grandfather who can't cope with him, Jake ends up at the Applewhite's
Creative Academy on a farm called Wit's End. Is this budding juvenile delinquent
ready for a zany clan of artistic, self-absorbed, temperamental, eccentrics? Actually
the results of this placement are hilarious.
9. Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams
*Historical Fiction
In 1939, Korinna is a member of a Nazi youth group and believes hitler’s speeches
that he is helping the world, but when Korinna discovers that her family is hiding a
Jewish family behind her bedroom wall, she has to decide to whom she is truly
loyal.
10. Old Yeller by Fred Gibson
*Historical Fiction
This is the story of a special bond between a 14 year-old-boy and a big, ugly, yellow
dog in the Texas wilderness. Both teach one another about strength and power of
friendship.
11. The Borrowers by Mary Norton
*Fantasy
A family of miniature people who live in an old country house survive by borrowing
things and are forced to leave their home under the clock.
12. Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When by Annette Laing
*Adventure
Written by a professor at Georgia Southern University, it chronicles the adventure of
a California girl named Hannah, who moves to Snipesville, Georgia (a town the
author based on States). She meets friends and a strange professor with dark
secrets. Hannah and her pals are catapulted to England during WWII. Between the
bomb blasts and stinky sandwiches of 1940’s England, they learn more about history
than they ever imagined.
13. The River by Gary Paulsen
*Adventure
In this exciting sequel to Hatchet, 15-year-old Brian Robeson, who survived alone in
the wilderness for 54 days, returns to the wilderness at the request of a government
survival school. This time, however, he won't be alone: Derek Holtzer, a government
psychologist, will accompany him to observe and take notes. But during a freak
storm, Derek is hit by lightning and falls into a coma. Afraid that Derek will die of
dehydration unless he can get him to a doctor, Brian's only hope is to build a raft
and try to transport Derek a hundred miles down the river to a trading post.
14. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
*Fiction
When Jeffrey Lionel Magee wanders into Two Mills, Pennsylvania, a legend is in the
making. Before too long, stories begin to circulate about how fast and how far he can
run and about feats so incredible they earn him the nickname "Maniac."
15. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
*Realistic Fiction
A young boy living in the Ozarks achieves his heart's desire when he becomes the
owner of two redbone hounds and teaches them to be champion hunters. Together,
the three of them experience danger, adventure, love, and sorrow.
16. Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
*Fiction
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.
17. The Wish Giver, Three Tales of Coven Tree by Bill Brittain
*Fantasy
The people of Coven Tree are no strangers to magic. In fact, the town's very name
comes from a gnarled old tree where covens of witches used to gather. Even now,
imps and fiends continue to appear, frightening the townfolk with their devilish
pranks. Usually these creatures are easy to spot. They have a particular smell,
sound, or way of moving that betrays their dark nature. But Thaddeus Blinn showed
none of these signs when he came to Coven Tree. He was just a funny little man who
drifted into town with a strange tale about being able to give people whatever they
wished -- for only 50 cents. There was nothing scary about him. At least, not until
the wishing began....
18. Words of Stone by Kevin Henkes
*Adventure/Mystery
While exploring the countryside outside of his home, 10-year-old Blaze Werla spots a
devastating message on the side of a hill. Ultimately, Blaze's summer takes a turn
toward mystery and adventure when he meets the boisterous and irresistible Joselle.
Paragraphs
Students must write 5 paragraphs for both of the novels they
choose to read over the summer. The paragraphs should include
the following information:
1. Description of the main characters (20 points)
2. Conflict – problems or challenges that arise for the characters
(20 points)
3. Resolution- how the story ends (20 points)
4. Why you selected this novel – include whether or not you
liked it and why
(20 points)
5. Theme – message or lesson learned in the novel (20 points)