Jim Satterfield Middle School

6th Grade Summer Reading List

During the summer, entering 6th graders will be expected to read two (2) books from the book list. Students should make their selections based on their interests and reading skills. Parents are encouraged to provide guidance in choosing books, as well as reading and discussing works with their child.

The students’ objectives are to maintain and/or improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary over the summer. Students will demonstrate their ability to select books of interest and of appropriate difficulty level. This should help to improve TCAP and test scores.

Students will have to complete a total of two (2) assignments/projects when they return to school. One (1) must be an essay that summarizes the novel, the other project may be chosen from the list below. All students will also be required to take the AR tests to their selections.

Students may choose one of the following:

  • Bookmark – students must design a bookmark that represents their selection. A summary will also be required.
  • Diorama – Students will create a scene from the book and replicate it in a shoebox setting or on a cereal box. This assignment will also require a summary of the book.
  • Timeline – Contain ten (10) major events from the book. Although dates can’t be assigned to most, be sure to summarize each event and explain why each was important. This will need to be completed on poster board.

**ALL projects will focus on the literary elements such as theme, setting, plot, characters, and conflict.

Hints about completing the summer reading:

  • If at all possible, buy the books. Sometimes, if you pair up with a friend, each of you can buy a book and then trade.
  • If you start a book and do not like it – TRY ANOTHER
  • START READING EARLY
  • Take notes as you read.

The following is the Summer Reading List for 6th grade. (This is a suggested list. Other books that are on grade level may also be read.)

Al Capone Does My Shirts– Gennifer Choldenko

In 1935, Moose Flanagan and his family move to Alcatraz Island where his father has found work. He must balance the responsibilities of caring for his autistic sister while coping with the free spirited warden’s daughter in the prison housing such notorious criminals as Al Capone. Also, Al Capone Shines My Shoes (F) 3.8 reading level

The Hunger Games * – Suzanne Collins

America, now Panem, requires each of its twelve territories to select two children between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the Hunger Games. On television, these twenty-four kids will fight to the death, and only one will survive. The first in the Hunger Games series. (F) 5.3 reading level

My Side of the Mountain* – Jean Craighead George

A boy builds a tree house in the mountains and learns to survive on his own. (F) 5.2 reading level

Cool Stuff and How it Works – Chris Woodford

Computer-generated images explain how many devices and processes of modern technology work, covering such inventions as HDTV, game consoles, robot cars, helicopters, space probes, oil rigs, mass dampers, biometric IDs, and tsunami alert systems. (NF)

Rapunzel’s Revenge – Shannon Hale

This graphic novel retells the famous fairy tale in a Wild West setting. Rapunzel escapes the home her mother has turned into a prison and vows to destroy the evil empire with the help of her hair! (F) 3.2 reading level

Touching Spirit Bear – Ben Mikaelson

Cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the Native American Circle Justice, and he is sent to a remote Alaskan Island. (F) 5.3 reading level

Lawn Boy– Gary Paulsen

A neighbor convinces a teen to expand his lawn service. The results are hilarious and lucrative. (F) 4.3 reading level Also, Lawn Boy Returns 5.6 reading level\

How Tia Lola Came to Stay – Julia Alvarez (Realistic Fiction)

After his parent’s divorce, Miguel’s aunt, Tia Lola, comes from the Dominican Republic to stay with ten year old Miguel, his mother, and his sister. At first Miguel is embarrassed by his aunt’s colorful behavior but, in time, he learns to love her.

Gender/Blender – J. Nelson

The worst possible thing EVER has happened. Suddenly Emma has muscles, and facial hair, and “things” in places she has never had before. But why is she complaining? Tom feels she got off easy. HE has to deal with cramps, and bras, and some guy trying to kiss him! It’s hard enough keeping control of your own body in middle school, but Tom and Emma have somehow switched bodies and try as they might, can’t figure out how to switch back. (F) 3.7 reading level

Tentacles – J. Smith

Whether you call it an “adventure in the high seas” or “exploring ocean deep mysteries” it all boils down to capturing a giant squid—ALIVE! Of course, there is a bunch of bad guys chasing after Grace and Marty to add to the complexity of this mission. (F)

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat - Lynne Jonell

Emmy tried hard to be good, but no one seemed to notice, except for the Rat. And he was rather sarcastic. What had happened to make her parents stop caring about her? And why do the kids at school seem to hardly know she exists? Could it have anything to do with Miss Barmy, the nanny, who kept forcing Emmy to drink and eat the strangest things? (F)

Any books by Gary Paulsen: Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, The Winter Room (F) Guts: true stores behind the Hatchet books (NF)

Gordon Korman – Born to Rock 5.3 reading level Framed 5.2 reading level Kidnapped 5.1 reading level (series) Everest 5.2 reading level Titanic 5.4 reading level Island (F)

James Patterson – Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life. 4.5 reading level

Allan Zullo – Escape: Children of the Holocaust (NF)

Mike Lupica – Any of his books about sports – The Big Field, The Underdogs (F) 5.2 reading level