Summer Reading List
Rising 6th Grade
Each student must read the following:
C. Richter
The Light in the Forest
Each student must read two of the following:
Fiction
N. Babbitt
G. Blackwood
E. Yates
L. Yep
J. Yolen
Tuck Everlasting
The Shakespeare Stealer
The Year of the Hangman
Where the Lilies Bloom
The Black Stallion
Walking the Road to Freedom
Old Yeller
The Miracle Worker (play)
King of the Wind
In Freedom's Cause
With Lee in Virginia
Across Five Aprils
Hinds’ Feet on High Places
Number the Stars
Gossamer
The Golden Goblet
Anne of Avonlea
Bridge to Terabithia
Jacob Have I Loved
Hatchet
Downsiders
The Schwa Was Here
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Prince and the Pauper
Amos Fortune, Free Man
Dragonwings
The Devil’s Arithmetic
Non-fiction
F. Douglass
B. Franklin
H. Keller
G. Paulsen
C. Ten Boom
B. T. Washington
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Story of My Life
Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
The Hiding Place
Up from Slavery
V. & B. Cleaver
W. Farley
J. Ferris
F. Gibson
W. Gibson
M. Henry
G. A. Henty
I. Hunt
H. Hurnard
L. Lowry
E. McGraw
L. M. Montgomery
K. Paterson
G. Paulsen
N. Shusterman
M. Twain
Summer Reading List
Instructions, Rising 6th Grade
All incoming sixth graders must read three books they’ve never read before. The sixth graders must read
one required book and choose two others from the list.

What’s my assignment?
For each book, you must complete a graded assignment described below.
 For The Light in the Forest, you must create a comic book depicting the main events. Focus on
the most important event in each chapter and draw a comic book frame for it. The comic book
must include one frame per chapter. This project must be neat, colorful, and creative. See the
rubric for more details.
 For one of the books of your choice, you must prepare an oral book talk. See the instructions and
rubric for more details.
 For the other book of your choice, you must write a book report. See the book report form for
details. Write neatly, in blue or black ink, in cursive, and in complete sentences.
 For all three books, you must affirm in writing how much of the book you actually read.

When are the assignments due?
The comic book and book report are due on the first day of school. The book talk is due on the third
day of school.

Where can I find the books?
Any book vendor will do, as long as the books are complete and unabridged. Nothing from the
“Illustrated Classics” series is allowed! Most of these books can be found easily online or at your
nearest Barnes & Noble. However, to save money, try the public library or one of these used book
stores:
 The Book Stop (3599 Atlanta Road, Smyrna)
 The Book Nook (1547 Roswell Road, Marietta)

What if I don’t like the book?
You must read the books from the required list, regardless of how you feel about them. However,
feel free to hunt for a book you like from the list. If you get to the third or fourth chapter and still
can’t get into it, put it aside and choose another.

May I just watch the movie?
No! Reading a book and watching a film are two completely different experiences. Don’t be fooled
into thinking you know the story just from the movie. Books are much more detailed and often differ
greatly from their film versions. Read the book before seeing the movie. Then you can intelligently
observe the changes. Parents should view the films first for any inappropriate content.
6th Grade Book Report
Student's Name: ______________________________________________
Title: ________________________________________________________
Author: ______________________________________________________
Who was involved in the story? ___________________________________
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When did it happen? ___________________________________________
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Where did it happen? ___________________________________________
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What happened? ______________________________________________
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BOOK TALK
INSTRUCTIONS, 6th Grade
A book talk is similar to an oral book report, but with more emphasis on getting other students
interested in reading the book on their own. It does not have to be written out word-for-word,
but you must prepare notes on index cards to use during your talk. Follow the instructions below
as you prepare.
1. Bring a copy of the book with you to class.
2. Divide the talk into three sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction
Begin your talk with a hook that gets the audience’s attention (e.g., an interesting
quote from the book, a startling statement about it, or an interesting question). Tell
the class the basic information about the book: title, author, genre, major characters,
setting (both where and when).

Body
Summarize the plot without giving away the ending. Describe the basic conflict in
the book, and create a sense of suspense to entice others to read it.

Conclusion
End your talk with an evaluation of the book: choose at least one aspect of it (e.g.,
plot, characters, or dialogue) that you either liked or disliked and explain what was
good or bad about it. Finally, include a recommendation for the book, explaining who
would like it, who wouldn’t, and why.
3. Choose a favorite passage of 100-200 words from the book to share with the class. This
passage may come from anywhere in the book as long as it doesn’t give away the ending.
Choose a passage you like and will enjoy reading aloud. The passage should give the class a
sense of the author’s style and should make them want to read more on their own. It could be
a descriptive paragraph, a section of dialogue, or an action sequence.
You must decide where in your book talk to read the passage; you may read it during the
introduction, body, or conclusion – wherever you think the passage best fits in your talk. Be
creative and find just the right place for it.
BOOK TALK
EVALUATION SHEET, 6th Grade
Student: ______________________________________________________________________
Title of Book: __________________________________________________________________


Preparation

Introduction (20 points)
Bring the book with you.
Make note cards for your talk.
Capture my attention with an interesting hook.
Include the title, author, and genre.
Describe the setting – both where and when.
Name the major characters.
Points Earned _____

Body (30 points)
Summarize the story without revealing the ending.
Discuss the basic conflict in the story with specific details.
Choose a favorite passage from the book to read aloud.
End with a cliffhanger to make others want to read the book.
Points Earned _____

Conclusion (10 points)
Points Earned _____
Evaluate the author's style – plot, characters, or dialogue.
Make a recommendation about who would or wouldn't like it, and why.
Presentation

Posture (10 points)
Points Earned _____

Eye Contact (10 points)
Points Earned _____

Enthusiasm, smoothness, and expression (10 points)
Points Earned _____

Poise to and from the podium (5 points)
Points Earned _____

Gestures and mannerisms (5 points)
Points Earned _____
Additional Comments:
Final Grade: _____
Summer Reading Rubric: Comic Book for The Light in the Forest 6th Grade
Student ______________________________

Accuracy (25 points)
Retell the main events of the story correctly.
Spell, punctuate, and capitalize correctly.
Use correct grammar unless writing in dialect.
Points Earned: __________

Appearance (25 points)
Be creative!
Write, draw, and color neatly.
Points Earned: __________

Clarity (25 points)
Choose the main event from each chapter.
Make the story logical and easy to follow.
Points Earned: __________

Completeness (25 points)
Follow the instructions.
Include at least one frame per chapter.
Points Earned: __________
Additional Comments:
Total Points Possible: 100
Total Points Earned: __________