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2012 Summer Reading Assignment for Sixth Grade English |
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David Smith smithd@norfolkcollegiate.org
To prepare for English 6, students must read two books during the summer. One book must be selected from the list at the bottom of the page. The other book may be any age and ability-appropriate book of the student’s choice that has not been read previously. Either fiction or non-fiction is acceptable for the second book. I strongly recommend letting students have input into their book selections. If we let students’ personal preferences drive their book selections, they will be more invested in their reading and enjoy it more. (Please do not let your child read any of the English 6 books for summer reading; those books should be unread until we read them in class.) Students will be assessed on their two summer English reading choices on the first or second day of school.
Summer Reading List (Must pick at least one of these books for the assigned summer reading)
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A young British boy has onedangerous encounter after another. First of a fast-paced, popular book series;great for reluctant readers! (Any book in the “Alex Rider” series is okay to read for this choice. They need not be read in order.) |
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A future world where everyone has plastic surgery at 16 to become “pretty.” One girl decides to travel a different path, with serious consequences. The first book in a bestselling dystopian series. Better for stronger readers. |
A Wrinkle in Time, L’Engle
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Newbery winning classic. Time travel and outer space. (Well
paired with When You Reach Me; read this one first if you want to pair them.) |
| Treasure Island, Stevenson |
Classic tale of pirates.
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Newbery winner. A modern fable about a homeless boy with great athletic ability and even greater heart. Great pick for reluctant readers. |
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Newbery winner. Three stories all intersect at the end. A fun book to read, particularly if you like mysteries. |
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A dystopian future where cities move and “consume” other cities for supplies. For the more advanced reader, if only for its length, but a gripping, page-turning story. |
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A boy and his family enter the witness protection program, but the bad guys are still after them. An easy-reading, fast-paced, much enjoyed book I used in class for two years. |
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Boys are locked up, deep underground, in a world of violence and death. This is a dark book, but was much enjoyed by some students who didn’t think they liked to read. |
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Al Capone Does My Shirts, Choldenko
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Newbery winner. Historical fiction. A boy living on Alcatraz (dad is a prison guard) deals with life and an autistic sister. Most read and enjoyed summer reading book of last year’s sixth graders. |
| The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963, Curtis |
Great historical fiction that is also very funny in places. An easy read, but with a strong message about equality and civil rights. |
When You Reach Me, Steadman
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2009 Newbery winner. One of my favorites! A girl is dealing with challenges while trying to decipher strange notes that seem to becoming from the future. Great for mystery lovers! |
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A young “romantic” relationship, told from alternating viewpoints in alternating chapters covering over ten years. Wonderfully written—full of rich symbolism and positive themes. |
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An allegorical tale about a home-schooled girl who enrolls at a public high school and discovers her kind ways are not always appreciated. Typically, preferred by female students. |
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The Pigman, Zindel
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A boy and girl alternate telling their shared story about a prank gone “right” and then gone very “wrong.” |
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A recent release. A young girl with severe cerebral palsy tells what it’s like to be unable to control her body or speak, despite being a genius. (The author has a daughter with cerebral palsy, so it’s a very authentic depiction.) |
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A personal favorite of mine in 6th grade; sometimes the shorter tales are preferred by reluctant readers. (Students may read a selection; they do not have to read every tale.) |
In addition to the two required books, students are encouraged to read as much as possible. Studies have shown that kids who read more do better in all of their academic subjects. Studies also have shown that it is more important that kids read, than what they read. So, please encourage your children to pursue their own interests and likes when deciding what to read, both for their two summer reading books, as well as in general. Kids who read what they’re interested in are much more likely to become self-motivated and lifelong readers!
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