Classical Childrens Books

6th Grade Reading List

The 6th grade reading list gives the top dozen picks of literature for sixth graders.

For more books, see the bottom of the page.

Amos Fortune, Free Man

By Elizabeth Yates

Beautifully written, this true story is about an African man who was captured, sold into slavery, bought his freedom, and became a widely respected citizen in his New England community. Amos lived in the 1700's in Africa and New England. For three centuries people have told the story of his hard work, compassion, and love of freedom.

Number the Stars

By Lois Lowry/p>
Ten year old Annemarie lives in Copenhagen during the time of the Nazi occupation. Her sister, Lise, had been part of the secret Dutch Resistence and died at the age of 18. Now, as her best friend's family is trying to escape into Sweden, Annemarie is learning how the Resistance movement works - and the special role she is called to play.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

By Mark Twain

The most famous of Mark Twain's book, the Adventures of Tom Sawyer tells the fictitious story of a high-spirited boy living on the Mississippi River in the late 1800s. Some of the adventures - and misadventures - are based on true events that happened in the author's home town of Hannibal, Missouri.

Daughter of the Mountain

By Louise Rankin

When Momo's beloved dog, Pempa, is stollen from her, she is determined to get him back at all costs. Without telling her parents, she makes the dangerous trek across the mountains of Tibit to the crowded city of Calcutta India. Lost in city, she loses all hope of finding her pet, until she finds someone who can help her. This Newbery Honor book portrays the rural mountain life of the Tibetan people.

The Door In the Wall

By Margeurite de Angeli

Historical fiction from Europe in the 1300's. Robin is a fictitious son of a nobleman who will someday become a knight. But he finds himself alone, deserted, and handicapped. Then even greater danger faces him as the castle is attacked and it is up to him to escape and give the alarm.

The Bronze Bow

By Elizabeth George Speare

If I ever had to choose a single favorite novel for kids, I think this would be it. Historical fiction, it takes place in the first century Isreal. The main character is a fictitious boy, Daniel, whose father was crucified by the Romans. Afterwards, Daniel joins a band of Zealots living in the mountains. This is a touching story of hate, forgivenenss, and friendship.

Shiloh

By Phyllis Naylor

Marty knows its wrong to steal; he also knows its wrong to abuse a dog. When a beagle he loves is mistreated by its owner, Marty has to decide what he should do.

Heidi

By Johanna Spyri

Heidi is a story about a young orphan living with her hermit grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Later she moves to town to stay with a wealthy family with a handicapped daughter, Clara. Heidi goes through times of unhappiness and loneliness, but eventually brings joy to many around her, particularly her grandfather and Clara.

Calico Bush

By Rachel Fields

Marguerite is a thirteen year old orphan who is far from home and bound as a servant. The family she serves is colonizing an isolated part of the coast of Maine. Through a cold, bitter winter she endures hardship and the danger of an Indian attack. When danger does strike, she remembers an old tradition from her own culture.

Moccasin Trail

By Eloise McGraw

Jim grew up in a white family, but has lived as a Crow Indian for the last several years. Now he is reunited with his siblings, but the cultural traditions threaten to tear them apart. Only when his youngest brother is kidnapped, does Jim grasp how much his family means to him.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

By C.S. Lewis

A book of both fantasy and allegory, this is the first story in the highly acclaimed series "The Chronicles of Narnia." Four children leave WWII era England and slip into the magical world of Narnia. Can they save Narnia from the evil White Witch? All books in this series would be appropriate for a sixth grade reading list or older.

The Incredible Journey

By Sheila Burnford

A Siamese cat, a black Labrador, and an old bull terrier are determined to be reunited with their owners. They head west through the wild Canadian countryside, facing dangers domestic animals would never survive alone. But instinct and persistence keep them together.

Ten Tales From Shakespeare

By Charles and Mary Lamb

Two hundred years ago, Charles Lamb and his sister, Mary, rewrote ten of Shakespeare's plays as stories for children to read. This book has now become a classic of itself. Young readers can discover Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and seven other tales.