Good Books for Sixth Graders

• 

  Tuck Everlasting

  by Natalie Babbitt

  Winnie Foster discovers a family who has drunk from a spring that grants eternal life. This thought-provoking fantasy explores profound questions about life, death, and what it means to truly live.

• 

  Maniac Magee

  by Jerry Spinelli

  Jeffrey Lionel Magee becomes a local legend as he bridges the racial divide in his town. This Newbery Medal winner tackles serious themes with humor and heart, celebrating the power of understanding and acceptance.

• 

  The Outsiders

  by S.E. Hinton

  Ponyboy Curtis navigates the divide between rival gangs in this groundbreaking novel. A powerful story about family, loyalty, and finding your place in a world that often feels divided.

• 

  Three Times Lucky

  by Sheila Turnage

  Twelve-year-old Mo sets out to solve a murder in her quirky Louisiana town. Full of sharp dialogue, oddball charm, and a heroine with a heart as big as the bayou.

• 

  Where the Red Fern Grows

  by Wilson Rawls

  A boy and his hounds forge an unbreakable bond in the Ozarks. Heart-warming and heart-breaking, it's a classic tale of loyalty and love.

• 

  The One and Only Ivan

  by Katherine Applegate

  Ivan, a gorilla in captivity, paints and befriends a baby elephant—and finds a voice for freedom. A moving tale told with tender humor and quiet strength.

• 

  Diary of a Wimpy Kid

  by Jeff Kinney

  Greg Heffley's cartoon-journal chronicles middle-school trials in laugh-out-loud fashion. Relatable and charmingly awkward, it's a tween comedy staple.

• 

  The Grimm Legacy

  by Polly Shulman

  A secret library holds relics from Grimm's folk tales—and two teens must protect the stories from disappearing. A clever meta-mystery brimming with literary charm.

• 

  The Phantom Tollbooth

  by Norton Juster

  Milo travels to the Lands Beyond, where words and numbers come alive. A whimsical, playful allegory that celebrates curiosity and learning.

• 

  The Lightning Thief

  by Rick Riordan

  Percy Jackson learns he's half-god in this thrilling debut of the Percy Jackson series. It's a clever mix of Greek myth and modern adventure that grips readers with humor and heart.