2015 6th Grade Summer Reading List “Book Blurbs”

Crash Jerry Spinelli Realistic Fiction 176 pages **This book is required for ALL students**

Crash Jerry Spinelli Seventh grader John “Crash” Coogan has always been comfortable with his tough, aggressive behavior. Then his friendship with a Quaker boy and his grandfather’s stroke make Crash think more about the meaning of friendship and the importance of family.

Choose from the following titles for your second summer book selection.

On My Honor Marion Dane Bauer Realistic Fiction 96 pages

On My Honor Marion Dane Bauer Tragedy strikes when Joel and his best friend Tony go swimming in the forbidden, treacherous Vermilion River. Joel is terrified at having to tell of his disobedience and overwhelmed by his feelings of guilt.

Running Out of Time Margaret Peterson Haddix Realistic, Adventure Fiction 192 pages

Running Out of Time Margaret Peterson Haddix Thirteen year old Jessie Keyser, lives with her family in a town called Clifton; the year is The truth is that Jesse, her family, and a few other families live in a model village that is really observed by tourists and run by unethical scientists. When a deadly disease breaks out in the village, Jesse learns the truth about Clifton when she is asked to leave the village to seek medical help for the sick children in the community. Jesse is suddenly in the “real world” coping with cars and other inventions she has never seen.

Esperanza Rising Pam Munez Ryan Historical, Multicultural Fiction 275 pages

Esperanza Rising Pam Munez Ryan Esperanza's Papa, a wealthy land owner and grape farmer, is murdered by bandits the evening before her thirteenth birthday celebration. Esperanza’s expectations for an elaborate birthday celebration are shattered, and Papa’s mean, powerful stepbrothers burn down the family farm in an attempt to claim the family’s influence and land. Esperanza, her mother, and their servants flee to the United States to work in the farms in California. Esperanza, once considered a child princess, is unwillingly forced into a world of hard work where daily survival is very difficult.

The Capture Kathryn Lasky Fantasy 242 pages

The Capture Kathryn Lasky When Soren, a barn owl, arrives at St. Aggie’s, a school for orphaned owls, he suspects trouble. With his elf owl friend named Gylfie, he begins a dangerous journey to save all owls from the danger at St. Aggie’s.

Out of My Mind Sharon Draper Realistic Fiction 320 pages

Out of My Mind Sharon Draper Eleven year old Melody is an intelligent girl, but those who know Melody don’t know just how smart she is. She has never been able to talk or walk or write. When she gets a new tool that allows others to hear her voice for the first time in her life, not everyone wants to her what she has to say.

Stolen into Slavery: The True Story of Solomon Northup, Free Black Man by Judith Blume Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin Nonfiction Hard Cover – 120 pages

Stolen into Slavery: The True Story of Solomon Northup, Free Black Man by Judith Blume Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin The year is 1841, and Solomon Northup was a free black man living with his wife and three children in the state of New York. He was kidnapped and sold to a slave trader for 650 dollars. Once back in slavery, Northup had no rights and could not access the legal system. This book chronicles Northup’s life as slave for 12 years.

Summer Books Read the one book required for all 6 th grade students. Then choose one book from the remaining titles for your summer reading assignment. The books can be purchased at the summer book sale coming soon to your school!

Summer Book Reading Suggestions If you read the book early in the summer, reread it in August to refresh your memory of the story and its details. If you own the book, you can mark it up, talking to the text, as you read. If you don’t own the book, record notes separately on Post Its. –Note the setting components –Note characters’ names and personality traits –Note the conflict –Note the resolution –Note plot details –Keep notes for review in August. Bring handwritten notes to class when you return to school. Books and notes may used for the test.