ENGLISH-6th Grade

Free Choice List - Choose One

• Fantasy: The Phantom Tollbooth

  • Norman Juster, ISBN: 0-394-82037-1

  • “For Milo, everything’s a bore.  When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through it, only because he’s got nothing better to do.  But on the other side, things seem different.  Milo visits the island of Conclusions, learns about time from a ticking watchdog names Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason.  Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing.  Life is far from dull.  In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!

• Historical Fiction:  Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry! 

  • Mildred B. Taylor ISBN: 978-0142401125 

  • The Logans, a black family living in the South during the 1930s, are faced with prejudice and discrimination which their children don't understand. It takes the events of one turbulent year -- the year of the night riders and the burnings, the year a white girl humiliates Cassie in public simply because she is black -- to show Cassie that having a place of their own is the Logan family's lifeblood. It is the land that gives the Logans their courage and pride, for no matter how others may degrade them, the Logans posess something no one can take away.  

• Historical Fiction: Out of the Dust 

  • Hesse, Karen, ISBN: 0-590-37125-8

  • Dust storms are devastating the family farm and Billie Jo’s life is changed forever after a terrible accident takes her mother’s life.  Her father can’t talk about it and Billie Jo can’t even find peace playing the piano due to her wounded hands.  These free-verse poems by 14-year-old Billie Jo relate the family’s determination to continue living in the area despite the total destruction of crops by the terrible storms. 

• Non Fiction: Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini 

  • Sid Fleishchman ISBN: 978-0-06-085096-8

  • This is a magical story of a poor Jewish boy (Ehrich Weiss) who longed to be like his idol, Robert Houdin. Extraordinary stunts and inspiring escapes are retold as Fleischman and works to keep the reader entertained. Easy to read print and actual photographs help bring this true-life story alive.

• Christian Biography: Linspired by Mike Yorkey ISBN: 978-0310742883  or Linsanity by Timothy Dalrymple ISBN 978-1455523948

  • No athletic scholarships, ignored by the NBA draft, waived by team after team, yet Jeremy Lin remained positive and never doubted God's plan. Finally picked up by the New York Knicks, a teammate's injury placed Lin on the court after weeks on the bench. Since then, Lin has captivated the sports world with his incredible basketball skills as  a New York Knick and now Houston Rocket.

• Historical Fiction: Al Capone Does My Shirts 

  • Gennifer, Choldenko, ISBN: 978-0142403709 

  • A Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller that is historical fiction with a hint of mystery about living at Alcatraz not as a prisoner, but as a kid meeting some of the most famous criminals in our history.

• Fiction: The Secret Sheriff of 6th Grade

  • Sonnenblick, Jordan, ISBN: 978-0545863209

  • A new hilarious, honest, and inspirational middle-grade novel about finding your inner hero. The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade is a story about standing up for yourself -- and being a hero at home and in the halls of your school.

  • Please note:  This book follows a young protagonist's journey navigating various social obstacles at school, including dealing with bullies and pranks. Additionally, the story touches on the challenges faced by the character coming from a single-parent home where the mother struggles with alcoholism and an abusive relationship. We believe this book offers valuable lessons on resilience, empathy, and the importance of seeking help when faced with difficult situations. However, we understand that the themes may be sensitive for some students and we recommend that a parent read this book alongside the student.