Summer Reading

Read two books from the suggested reading lists (see below) or two books of your own choosing that are appropriately challenging for a sixth grade reader, by the start of the school year. Although there is certainly value is rereading a book, in order to meet our objectives for summer reading we ask that students read titles they have not previously read.

In August, you will be completing a “Memory Jar Project” in English class to demonstrate your comprehension and creativity. Your “memory jar” will demonstrate plot events, characters, theme(s), and setting(s).

Tips: As you’re reading, use the following strategies to trace your thinking. They will help you complete your “Memory Jar Project”.

Use sticky notes or paper to:

• Write brief chapter summaries,
• Describe new and important characters introduced throughout the story,
• Form a text-to-text connection (“What other book does this story remind me of and why?”),
• Form a text-to-self connection (“How can I personally relate and why?”), and 
• form a text-to-world connection (“How can I connect this to real-world events?”). 

Titles 

Realistic Fiction 

• Wonder by RJ Palacio

• Front Desk by Kelly Yang

• Unteachables by Gordon Korman

• Look Both Ways by by Jason Reynolds

• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Historical Fiction 

• Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
• The War That Saved My Life (series) by Kimberly Brubacker Bradley
• Al Capone Does My Shirts (series) by Gennifer Choldenko
• Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Mystery 

• Masterminds (series) by Gordon Korman
• Escape from Lemoncello's Library (series) by Chris Grabenstein
• Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
• Holes by Louis Sachar

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

• Keepers of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
• Magnus Chase Series by Rick Riordan
• Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

Nonfiction 

• Guts by Gary Paulsen
• Dateline Troy by Paul Fleishman
• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson
• The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin
• History Smashers Series by Kate Messner
• Chasing Space- Young Readers’ Edition by Leland Melvin
• Hidden Figures-Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly
• Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist
• and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Jay
• All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue by Christina
• Soontornvat
• The Crossing: How George Washington Saved the American
• Revolution by Jim Murphy

Honors English/Creative Writing students should read one book from the fiction list & one book from the non-fiction/classic list.

Core English/Creative Writing students should read any two books from the provided lists.

We encourage students and families to review book summaries and be mindful of their choices, as some selections are categorized as young adult and may contain more mature content.

Although there is certainly value in rereading a book, in order to meet our objectives for summer reading we ask that students read titles they have not previously read.

In August, English classes will reflect on, analyze, and identify various literary elements within the books you’ve read. These texts will serve as a foundation for upcoming discussions and assignments.

Titles 

Fiction 

• Warcross by Marie Lu
• Nimona by N.D. Stevonson 
• Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
• The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
• Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
• Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
• The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson
• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Nonfiction & Classics 

• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
• Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
• When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed
• The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
• Sunshine by Jarred Kroszoska
• The Nazi Hunters By Neal Bascomb
• Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Tang
• A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat