Are you looking for reading material for your 6th grader? This list has numerous books to choose from. There is also at least one free lesson for each book included on the list. These lessons vary from book to book. Some are comprehensive unit studies or novel guides, while others are simply a set of discussion questions.

All of the lessons below are free, but you will need to obtain the corresponding books. You can borrow them from the library, purchase them used, or click/tap on a book’s cover to buy it on Amazon.

How I Created the List

When creating this list, I looked at what books several different sources recommend for each grade. Often various curriculum providers and book lists will recommend a book for different grade levels. For this list, I used the average of the different recommended grade levels. Because of this, you’ll find that other sources may recommend some of the books on this list for 5th or 7th grade instead of 6th.

Please note: As values, beliefs, and standards vary widely by family, I have not attempted to screen these books for appropriateness. I recommend that you read several reviews before choosing books for your child to read. This post lists several resources you can use to help ensure the books you choose are appropriate for your family.

6th Grade Reading List

The books below are listed in alphabetical order by title. For additional book options, also check out our lists for other grades.

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Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Beginning on page 108 of Response Guides for Teaching Children’s Books, there are discussion questions, writing assignments, and activity suggestions for the book.

Soft Schools provides a short multiple-choice quiz for the book.

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson

This guide, from Teacher’s Network, includes comprehension questions, vocabulary words, writing assignments, and cross-curricular activities.

This lesson, made available by Immanuel Lutheran college, includes comprehension questions, vocabulary words, writing assignments, science experiments, and art projects.

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

Plain and not so Plain provides vocabulary words and discussion questions for the book.

NovelWise provides section worksheets, discussion questions, and activities for the book.

Dragonwings by Laurence Yep

HarperCollins created this study guide covering Dragonwings and three other Laurence Yep books. The guide includes discussion questions, background information, and more.

A Family Apart by Joan Lowery Nixon

This guide created by Teacher’s Bulletin includes discussion and comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and activities.

Penguin Random House provides teaching ideas and discussion topics for the book.

Give Me Liberty by L.M. Elliott

Harper Collins created this set of discussion questions for the book.

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

Rise to Reading has comprehension questions for each chapter of the book.

NovelWise provides section worksheets, discussion questions, and activities for the book.

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

Beginning on page 66 of Response Guides for Teaching Children’s Books, there are discussion questions, writing assignments, and activity suggestions for the book.

Delightful Learning provides several activity ideas for each chapter of the book.

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Rise to Reading offers a set of comprehension questions for the book.

Homeschool Share’s lapbook covers the book’s plot and includes related Bible study.

Island of the Blue Dolphins By Scott O’Dell

This novel study, created by Reed Novel Studies, includes comprehension questions, vocabulary lessons, language arts assignments, and extension activities.  This is the only novel guide that Reed offers for free, and it is in a long list of novel guides that are for sale. Scroll almost halfway down the alphabetical list, and you’ll find the guide.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Scholastic’s reading guide includes questions to guide the student’s reading and discussion questions about the book’s plot, setting, theme, and characters.

On Teachers Pay Teachers, you’ll find this test that covers the whole book.

King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry

Book Units Teacher has made multiple-choice worksheets available for each chapter.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The C.S. Lewis Foundation provides an educator’s guide for the book. It includes vocabulary exercises, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions, writing prompts, and art projects.

Homeschool Share’s lapbook covers plot details, characters, and some related Bible study.

Beginning on page 75 of Response Guides for Teaching Children’s Books, there are discussion questions, writing assignments, and activity suggestions for the book.

Rise to Reading provides comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and writing prompts for the book.

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis

St. Philip Neri School has made this set of discussion questions available.

Homeschool Share’s lapbook covers the book’s plot and includes related Bible study.

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

This Read Works unit includes comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, and extension activities. Click “get all” next to “teacher and student materials” to download the unit. You will also need to create a free account.

Missing May by Cynthia Rylant

This comprehension packet from k6edu.com has comprehension questions and vocabulary words.

Books on Tape’s teacher’s guide includes pre-reading activities, discussion questions,  interdisciplinary connections, and vocabulary words.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Plain and not so Plain provides vocabulary words and comprehension questions for each chapter.

Rise to Reading has comprehension questions for each chapter.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

Tri-City United Public Schools provides two different printable packets for the book.  Both packets include comprehension questions and vocabulary words. The second packet is more in-depth and also includes writing assignments and extension activities.

Beginning on page 90 of Response Guides for Teaching Children’s Books, there are discussion questions, writing assignments, and activity suggestions for the book.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

At Rise to Reading, you’ll find comprehension questions for each chapter of the book.

Homeschool Share’s novel study and lapbook include comprehension questions, vocabulary work, and related language arts concepts.

Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder

Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site provides discussion questions and activities for the book.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Rise to Reading provides comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and writing prompts.

Homeschool Share’s unit study and printables set includes lessons related to the book in language arts, history, geography, science, food preparation, and more.

 

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

Scholastic’s reading guide includes questions to guide the student’s reading and discussion questions about the book’s plot, setting, theme, and characters.

NovelWise provides section worksheets, discussion questions, and activities for the book.

Swift Rivers by Cornelia Meigs

Mercy for Marthas’ study guide has comprehension questions for each chapter of the book.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

NovelWise provides section worksheets, discussion questions, and activities for the book.

Scholastic’s Mother-Daughter Book Club provides a set of discussion questions.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

This study guide, made available by Mr. Phillips, includes comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises,  summary writing worksheets, and enrichment activities.

NovelWise provides section worksheets, discussion questions, and activities for the book.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

This post from Freedom Homeschooling provides links to book study materials for the book. These materials give information about historical context and include discussion questions, vocabulary words, writing prompts, and more.

NovelWise provides section worksheets, discussion questions, and activities for the book.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

At Rise to Reading, you’ll find comprehension questions for each chapter.

Learning Hero’s book discussion guide includes vocabulary, ideas & themes, and extra activities.

Hilltown Families provides a literature guide that includes discussion questions, activities, and assessments.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Rise to Reading offers comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and writing prompts.

Woo! Jr. Kids provides comprehension and vocabulary worksheets for the book.

I hope your child enjoys reading these books!

More Free Reading Curriculum & Resources

Grade Level Reading Lists – These are our reading lists for 3rd grade through high school. There is a free lesson or novel study for each listed book.

Free Language Arts Curriculum – Here you’ll find curriculum for reading, literature, phonics, book guides, and poetry. There are also options for grammar, composition, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting. There is something for every grade, from preschool through high school.

Free eBooks – This post tells where to find free eBooks for the entire family.

Free Audiobooks – This post shares where to find free audiobooks for all ages.

How to Choose Age Appropriate Books – If you need help choosing appropriate books for your children, this post includes several free resources you can use.

Note: This post was originally published on June 3, 2021, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.