6th Grade Book Talks: Favorite Authors! September 2018

Ghost by Jason Reynolds Genre: Realistic Fiction First book in the Track series about a group of kids who have a shot at the Junior Olympics The story centers around a boy named Castle Crenshaw who goes by the self-given nickname “Ghost”-life hasn’t been easy for him (dad is in prison/single mom; little money for clothes and food; trouble at school) The one thing he is good at is running and he proves this when he shows up to a J.O. practice and nearly beats one of their elite athletes The coach wants Ghost on his team…and makes a deal with his mom that he will stay out of trouble at school…which he does for 17 hours and 2 minutes (3 hours of which were spent at school. And that isn’t even the worst thing that happens! Will Ghost make it on the team? Will he be one of those record-breakers? You’ll have to read to find out

Gregor The Overlander by Suzanne Collins Genre: Fantasy Hunger Games writer Suzanne Collins has also written this 5-book fantasy series that has a setting in the “Underland”, an entire world that resides below ours Our main characters is Gregor, an average 11 year old boy who is tasked with babysitting his little sister Boots for the summer On day one Boots falls through a grate in the laundry room and Gregor follows…which is where the adventure begins! If you like stories with overprotective cockroaches and bats, who have to battle evil rats, this is the story for you. Great for Percy Jackson fans

The Prophecy The hunters are hunted, white waters run red The gnawers will strike to distinguish the rest The hope of the hopeless resides in a quest An overland warrior, a son of the sun May bring us back light, he may bring us back none. But gather your neighbors and follow his call Or rats must surely devour us all. Two over, two under, of royal descent, Two fliers, two crawlers, two spinners assent.

The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade: by Jordan Sonnenblick Genre: Realistic Fiction Chapter 1 excerpt (read) Main character is named Maverick and he is just starting out in 6th grade but life is tough… Can he survive 6th grade???? AND make it better for his school?

Hoot by Carl Hiassen Genre: Fiction Book Trailer The main character of this novel is Roy, a middle school student who is forced to constantly move due to his dad’s job This book has a story within a story: focus on Rory and his problems and also Officer Delinko who is trying to solve the Pancake House job site mystery If you like books about middle school students and their problems, who are also willing to fight for a worthy cause, check out (literally) Hoot!

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous By Georgia Bragg Genre: Nonfiction Preview text features (book jacket, table of contents & intro) Features King Tut…exhumed 5 times between 1922-2009 and his mummy is now on display for public viewing The first recorded forensic autopsy was performed on Julius Caesar as before the 1400’s it was a crime to dissect a human body Find out who died from poison, strep throat, the guillotine, pneumonia, tuberculosis…and even murder!!! Also…famous last words!