30+ Wonderful Books for 6th Graders to Stay Up Reading

A girl named Coyote, a dad named Rodeo, a boy, a cat, and several other eclectic characters with stories deeper than the surface make up the cast of this heartwarming road trip story. This book is incredible. With one of the most remarkable (no pun intended) protagonists I’ve read in a while, TRJOCS handles dying, grief, and family excellently. It’s one of those books that brings your heart joy even while it’s breaking it. Ages 10+

Qurantulain, also known as Ainy, wants to be a fashion designer like her mom and help out at the store where her mom makes clothing over the summer. When her mom finally allows her, she’s excited. Her sister Bajjo has just started wearing the hijab, and Ainy looks up to her and wants her 7th grade to be her hijab year. She’s crushing on a family friend named Izyaan, but suddenly another boy, Yasir, begins to give her unwanted attention, commenting on her outfits and getting too close for comfort, making Ainy wonder if she’s inciting the boy to give her the attention. I adored this one, especially the Muslimah representation and the discourse around the hijab. With strong summer vibes, entrepreneurship, and friendship drama, this is great for fans of Drawing Deena and Maybe He Just Likes You. Ages 9+

Stevie is a five-foot-ten 7th grader who becomes even more aware of her height when older guys start noticing her in public. It doesn’t help that her best friend says guys prefer girls who are shorter than they are, and her parents never seem to have enough money to buy her new clothes, even though her brother gets whatever he wants. When Stevie joins the debate club, she finally feels like she has her thing, but self-esteem woes threaten to thwart her success. This story was painful to read. I felt Stevie’s growing pangs and was enraged at her parents for most of this book, although they do redeem themselves later. Tall kids–especially girls–struggling to accept their heights/bodies or dealing with unwanted attention will relate strongly to Stevie’s issues in this engaging novel. Ages 10+

Kaya and her dad shared a love for the Renaissance Fair before he died, and he always envisioned her becoming queen of the fair. So when she comes back to attend camp at the fair two years after his death, she’s determined to win the role of Queen–the first Black Queen of the fair. Imagine her disappointment when she gets the role of Court Jester. Can she win the crown? Is the dream worth holding on to? Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement is a heartwarming story about defying stereotypes and fulfilling your dreams. Ages 9+

Hank Hooperman has been alone with his 3-year-old sister Boo since their mother left the house a week ago. Armed with the name of someone his mother wrote as her emergency contact on his field trip form, Hank takes the bus to Lou Adler’s doorstep. There, he and his sister start to find some sort of normalcy until Hank’s 10th mistake threatens to cost him everything that means something to him. Hank is a character to love and truly one to root for every step of the way! Ages 10+

Dorani is heartbroken when her mom dies on the freeway of a heart attack en route to her school after she’s suspended for speaking up. Soon after, she’s separated from her mom’s fiancé in Florida and sent to live with her aunt, Ivette, in rural Wyoming, as stipulated by her mom. There, she learns a great deal about her mom’s childhood and teenage years, forms a bond with a horse named Sunshine, and grows closer to her aunt. But soon, she realizes that she’ll need to stand up for her new group of friends who are being unfairly treated. But is she brave enough to do it, when she thinks it cost her her mother’s life? The Trouble with Sunshine is a heartwarming story about overcoming adversity and finding solace in equine therapy. Ages 9+

This inspiring, highly approachable release conveys the little-known story of Muslims who rescued hundreds of Jews in Paris during WWII. With an unforgettable protagonist, high-stakes rescues, and a fast-paced plot, this is an unmissable historical fiction novel. Ages 10+

In the aftermath of his father abandoning their family and the 1989 Just Cause US invasion of Panamá, Danilo is losing interest in baseball — the sport that connected him and his father — and is more interested in caring for his mom and sister. But when an opportunity to train with a junior baseball team in California falls in his lap and his family suddenly becomes refugees in their country, Danilo takes the chance to go to the US, potentially meet his father, and seek help for his mom and sister. However, his time in the US takes a surprising turn. Danilo Was Here is a moving, action-packed coming-of-age story about overcoming challenges and pursuing dreams, set against the aftermath of the 1989 US invasion of Panamá. Ages 9+

When Cayenne’s hippie parents finally decide to put down roots after years of living a nomadic life, she is thrilled. Unfortunately, it turns out adjusting to normal life (having neighbors when your parents are unconventional, attending public school for the first time, figuring out friendships, etc.) isn’t so easy. As Cayenne navigates life in the 1980s, she learns plenty about self-esteem, grit, and finding your tribe. This is an absolutely engrossing historical verse novel set against the backdrop of the Titanic retrieval in the 1980s, providing an amazing window into a different kind of life for tweens. I hope lots of kids get a chance to read this one, even though it may not sound relatable at first glance. Heads up for a parent who smokes “pot.” Ages 10+

Friends and army brats Frank and Stanley live in Pearl Harbor, where they deal with the usual challenges of bullying and creating comic books. Until December 7th, 1941, when everything changes during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Will the boys survive the attack? How will the war change them and their friendship? Master of middle grade historical fiction, Alan Gratz, explores these in his latest novel. Heroes by Alan Gratz is an action-packed historical account about friendship and what it means to be a hero. Ages 10+

It’s 2020, and Matthew is sick of being inside with the pandemic raging outside. While reluctantly helping his great-grandmother sort through her belongings, he finds a picture of two girls. As she shares her experience during the Ukrainian famine, the story alternates between three narrators: Matthew, Helena, and Mila. A powerful, unforgettable account of historical events. Ages 10+

When Kat’s “best cousin,” Olivia suddenly develops a crush on her best friend, Tyler with whom she shares no interests, she recruits Kat to help her win his affections. From talking in her ear during their conversations to making index cards about Tyler’s interests, Kat is all in until she realizes that she might like Tyler as more than a friend. This was such a well-told story with plenty of family and friend scenes and a wonderful message about the value of being yourself, especially when love is involved. Ages 9+

One tween’s summer plans to snag the boy of her dreams are upturned by a surprise new entry in this relatable, summer-infused tale of romance, friendship, being yourself, and looking beyond the surface. This is the fluffiest romance in the best way. It feels like a comfort Hallmark movie with unlikely friendship, a surprise romance, and a beachy setting to die for. And it’s only 160 pages! Perfect for those 4th-6th graders hankering for more romance. This one doesn’t even have a kiss, so it’s good for those younger audiences who should only be reading about crushing and pining. It’s also a cautionary tale about being yourself and not changing who you are so a boy can like you. Ages 9+

Grace is an overachiever because she feels like being smart is all she has. She doesn’t seem too good at social situations and can’t figure out fashion and styling like her friends. So she holds on to book smarts and finds worth in her grades — and in competing with her former best friend, Jonah. Their friendship exploded after his dad’s sudden illness and death. Now, it’s the end of 8th grade, and Jonah’s won the coveted top scholar spot, leaving Grace with no raison d’etre. She decides to compete in a half marathon, for which she finds out Jonah is training, so she has one last chance to beat him. She ends up learning a lot about what really matters in life. Keeping Pace is a swoony middle grade romance about battling perfectionism and overambition and balancing relationships with goals. Ages 10+

This new middle grade book in the Wish series by the author of Sing It Like Celia, a debut I enjoyed last year, follows two tweens, Dulce and Julian, and their budding, slow-burn romance over the summer. Dulce and Julian are having different summers than they’d planned. Dulce is working her butt off at her family’s (changing) Mexican restaurant while Julian and his mom have moved after his parents’ separation. As Dulce and Julian’s lives intersect over cooking club, skateboard friends, and their parents’ ambitions and desires, the two inevitably go from enemies to something more than friends. Perfect cute, foodie romance for ages 9 and up.

Alone follows 12-year-old Maddie, who gets abandoned by some twist of fate when her entire town is mysteriously evacuated. Left alone with no human in sight, she bonds with a Rottweiler named George, who is one of many abandoned pets. Soon after, they lose power and then water, and Maddie has to fend for herself using a variety of ingenious means and the town resources at her disposal, including an empty library, grocery store, and neighbors’ homes. Maddie is alone for months and has to safeguard herself from wild animals, terrible weather, and dangerous intruders, on top of the fear and loneliness of being all by herself. This is a well-written middle-grade survival novel-in-verse with a tenacious protagonist and an engaging plot that leaves many questions unanswered. Ages 10+

Sisters Abby, Emma, and Ollie can’t seem to get it together. After months of squabbling, their parents ship them off to summer camp together to figure out their issues. The girls succeed in ignoring each other most of the time, but a hike gone wrong on their last day forces them to work together against hunger, near-drownings, and bear attacks. The story alternates between the past and the present so readers can see what went wrong with the sisters and watch them make their way back. Out of Range is a heartfelt survival middle grade book about sisterhood, tween angst, and identity. Ages 9+

Bea is a child of spies living in the Pangean Hotel, a sanctuary for spies. Her dad is a hotel chef and her mom is a former assassin turned peacekeeping spy. Bea really wants to become a spy, but her mom wants her to lead a normal life–and really, Bea isn’t sure she can be a spy because she hasn’t gotten her “Knack” yet. Knacks are special skills that every spy gets at some point in their life. Bea’s mom has a gun Knack and her best friend Tommy has a cleaning Knack. But everything changes when Bea gets her Knack and a new girl moves into the hotel with her family, bringing a bounty hunter, more danger, and a real look into the spy life for Bea. I listened to this one on audio, and with Jesse Vilinsky as the narrator, this book really sings on audio. It’s very entertaining and feels like a step behind the City Spies series. The shorter length and younger (quirkier, funnier) voice make it a better fit for younger audiences, although there are guns and knives. All in all, a highly entertaining, cinematic series starter that kids will love. Ages 10+

Twins Ike (Icarus) and Iris are gifted in different ways. Ike is a history nerd, while Iris is an athlete with a strong sense of direction (call her the human GPS). Their dad is ex-military and now runs a museum with their mom, who is an art curator. When Iris spots a girl stealing an artifact in their Americana museum, it begins a string of art heists by the same 10-year-old girl which gets the family roped into solving the crime to save their museum and clear their name. This is a fun romp of a story suffused with US history, especially the Revolutionary War period. Although it’s on the longer side, it is truly action-packed and told from the perspectives of both siblings. It ends in a gentle cliffhanger, and readers will be thrilled to know it’s going to be a series. Ages 9+

Max and his community are reeling from a night out gone wrong. Max and his friends, Joey and Will, went out with two older boys, but Will ended up unconscious and in a coma, and Joey won’t speak to Max anymore. Max also has ADHD and is over six feet tall at 11, which means he stands out in his class. Frustrated that he can’t figure out what happened to Will, Max teams up with an inquisitive classmate, but the truths he unravels aren’t pretty. Can Max get to the bottom of this mystery? A Perfect Mistake is a pitch-perfect middle grade mystery about honesty, peer pressure, and standing up for what’s right. Ages 10+

With a last name like Sherlock, siblings Alex and Zoe decide that the best summer job for them is starting a detective agency. With the help of their best friends, Yadi and Lina, and their former investigative journalist grandfather, the kids are set to find Al Capone’s treasure and learn more about Miami, a sunny city with shady people. But things do not quite go to plan, and instead, they find themselves thrust into an unexpected mystery. The Sherlock Society is a clever mystery — strongly reminiscent of Nancy Drew — with a surprising environmental bent. Ages 9+

Money has always been tight for the Price family, but things seem to be looking up. They’ve bought a fixer-upper and are feeling more financially secure when a fire razes the house to the ground. Their teenage son, Gage, who has never done a courageous thing in his life, rescues his sister Amber from the fire, earning the title of hero in their small town. All of a sudden, Amber is gaining popularity; all the high school girls want to date Gage, and even Amber’s middle school is hosting a fundraiser for the family. Then, just days before the Price family is set to receive their check, Amber learns a secret that just might ruin everything. I loved the short chapters in this book, the compelling narrative, the fully developed characters, and the polarizing ending. Hand to fans of The Kate in Between and No Purchase Necessary. Ages 10+

From the Desk of Zoe Washington meets The Parker Inheritance in this arresting mystery that explores the idea that sometimes innocent people can appear guilty, depending on what you want to see. Andy’s father has been in prison for a few months, and he’s been living with his Aunt Nonie in an all-white town. The story opens with Andy almost getting arrested for burning down a man’s barn. To pay for his misdemeanor, the man, Mr. Gilbert, asks that Andy help him renovate the home of a popular magician who was accused of murdering a young man decades ago. Curious, Andy and a boy he isn’t sure he can trust, begin investigating the Red Nave, uncovering shocking secrets about the magician’s true nature and the real murderer. I enjoyed this story. The pacing is solid, and although Andy is very angsty, which makes him often hard to like, he’s honest, and his feelings are understandable, seeing everything he’s been through. Good for fans of edgy, contemplative mysteries. Ages 10+

Eowyn’s family is well-to-do and well-known in the musical theater industry, while Jules is from a poor family and literally goes to school in an overflow trailer. Eowyn’s mom died when she was eight,t and her doctor dad has raised her and her Broadway-star older brother since then. Eowyn’s dad is not as present in her life due to his focus on her brother and on his job. In contrast, Jules’ dad is out of commission with a bad back, and her mom works at a hair salon but never misses a show (Eowyn’s dad hasn’t been to a show since the first summer). We go back in time with alternating past and present chapters, following the girls through the last five summers and the present one to see how their relationship fell apart and how their long-awaited roles as leads in Wicked may repair it. In Take It from the Top, Swinarski’s writing brings summer camp — and a musical theater one, no less — to life so vividly. Ages 10+

Orthodox Jew Shaindy lives in a tight-knit Jewish community but feels invisible and socially inept. No one at school particularly dislikes her, but no one tries to befriend or return her friendliness. She envies her next-door neighbor, Gayil, who is beloved and excels academically, but she also wants to befriend and be like Gayil. So when Gayil invites her to set up pranks on several students and teachers at their school, Shaindy is happy to be in the inner circle. Unfortunately, the mischief quickly turns into something malicious as Shaindy realizes that Gayil’s pranks are designed to hurt her targets, and Shaindy is on the list of targets. This is an intricately plotted, strongly character-driven story about the inner lives of tween girls and the human emotions of envy. Although sometimes bogged down by detailed portrayals of Jewish tradition, this book is exceptionally engaging and unique. Ages 10+

I loved this story! Kylie has three besties who are all different but love to do stuff together. All her friends think she’s such a baby because sensitive and quick to tears and while they’re all excited about 7th grade, Kylie is worried she isn’t mature enough and they’ll leave her behind as they start wearing bras and getting their periods so she decides to do an experiment where she’ll do everything everyone is doing for the whole summer. In time, she learns that she’s enough and doesn’t have to mature at the same pace or in the same way as her friends. She also learns what it really means to be mature. I loved the flow of this story, the short chapters, the nuance, the family dynamics, and that feel of summer on every page. Ages 9+

When Caleb and his older brother meet a 16-year-old, wise-cracking, smart-mouthed Styx Malone in their small town, they are enthralled with the young man and begin to look up to him. Even when Styx’s actions are questionable, including lying, swindling, and petty theft, which verge on being illegal, Caleb and Bobby Gene continue to follow him, much to their parents’ concern. As their summer adventure to raise enough money to buy a fancy motorcycle takes a turn, all three boys are surprised by how much they come to care for each other. The Season of Styx Malone is a funny, insightful summer story about male friendships, stranger danger, and foster care. Ages 10+

Cindy is a 12-year-old Taiwanese-American girl trying hard to hide her family’s secret that her dad no longer lives with them and has moved back to Taiwan. She lives with her mom and two older sisters in San Francisco, has two besties, and is crushing on a boy named Miles. She also likes to draw and is pretty good at it. So when her teacher announces an art contest with the theme of What Does Family Mean to You? Cindy is torn about what to share without revealing her family’s secret. Then her Nai Nai dies, and she and her mom and sisters travel to Taiwan for the funeral, where they meet her dad and discover an even deeper secret. Cindy must now find a way to share her emotions and come to terms with what’s happened and the current face of her family. How to Draw a Secret is a moving memoir about trying to put the pieces together after your idea of family implodes. Ages 9+

DOG TROUBLE meets THE UNDERDOG OF UPSON DOWNS in this charming graphic novel about anxiety and loving a dog. Chuck is a highly anxious kid who receives a dog from his parents. As he battles negative thinking, he learns what it takes to train a dog. When they stumble upon the chance to practice agility training, it opens up a whole new way to bond. But will Chuck’s and Ralph’s anxiety prevent them from finding a way to work together? This book is very sweet with wholesome friend and family dynamics and plenty of pet love. Hand to dog lovers and kids who love sports — especially agility contests. Ages 8+

Ming’s Thai mother and Chinese father moved to the US for a better life and struggle financially trying to raise him. Bullied at school and trying to get in with the cool crowd, Ming makes a few poor choices that do not keep him out of trouble. A funny, realistic graphic novel that explores male friendships, immigrant life, and coming-of-age. Ages 9+

Whether or not you’ve read Garcia’s Newbery Honor-winning book, the graphic adaptation just begs to be experienced. With illustrations from acclaimed illustrator Sharee Miller (Curlfriends: New in Town) and powerful history and emotions on the page, I devoured this book in one sitting! I liked the original book just fine, but adored this novel and felt the Gaither sisters come to life vividly in its pages. With important themes like mother-daughter relationships, activism, and Black history, I’m eager for realistic graphic novel fans to discover this one over the summer. Ages 9+

In this gorgeous graphic novel, tweens Myunghee and Yunho’s paths intersect the day before they both escape the communist regime and converge again in China, where Yunho’s mother takes Myunghee in and along on their arduous, perilous escape plan. The Other Side of Tomorrow is a breathtaking, suspenseful, and gorgeously illustrated graphic novel about two kids escaping North Korea. Ages 9+

Golden Maroni is having a tough year. First, he really wants to get bigger and become the captain of his middle school soccer team. As a dedicated Messi fan, he’s working on putting in ten thousand hours of soccer practice so that he can become as good as Messi. His former-soccer-star father has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). His best friend, Lucy Littlehouse is also moving away from her home next door to Golden’s. Despite his dad’s obvious deterioration, Golden stubbornly believes that his dad will get better. How will he cope with everything on his plate — and the heartbreaking challenges ahead of his family? Ten Thousand Tries is a moving, heartwarming story about family, friendship, community, soccer, and the love of a father. Ages 10+

Alex loves soccer and playing for her city’s Rec League. But during one of the games, a coach from an elite league spots Alex and convinces her mom to let Alex play for his team. Her dad isn’t the picture, and their family finances are tight, so Alex wants a soccer scholarship for college in the future and accepts the offer. But when she starts playing for the team, she notices disturbing things like her coach verbally abusing the players, talking down to the girls because of their gender, and punishingly working them out when don’t perform to his standards. Her mom is too busy trying to please her boyfriend to notice. Can Alex and the team stand up to Coach Austin? Select by Christie Matheson is a sporty, enjoyable, and inspiring middle grade book about sports spirit and standing up for oneself. Ages 9+

Esme is used to being the underachiever of her family. Her other three sisters are all good at something and get lavish praise from their mother. This summer, Esme realizes that she can actually swim really well. She also starts forming a great group of friends at the pool who encourage each other to succeed. But once her mom finds out and starts egging Esme on to compete at the cost of her friendships, the summer swim team doesn’t feel fun anymore. The Best Worst Summer of Esme Sun is a hugely relatable story about balancing friendships with competition — especially in competitive sports. Ages 9+

Star athlete Yash is shocked to discover that he won’t be able to graduate middle school because he missed most of his PE classes while playing for the high school team. There, he meets Jesse, Sarah, Stewart, Arabella, Cleo, and Kaden, who are also re-doing PE for different reasons. When these seven (very different) middle schoolers are forced to share space in summer school for failing PE, they experience a mindset-altering summer and find unexpected friendships and team spirit. Slugfest is a funny, thoughtful exploration of identity and what it means to be part of a team. Ages 10+