2025 Tween & Teen Summer Reading

Going into 6th Grade Lists 2025

Printable List: 6th Grade Summer Reading List 2025.PDF

Fiction

Lost in the Empire City

Avi

Newbery Medalist Avi is back with a gripping exploration of the immigrant experience at the turn of the twentieth century. A must-read for fans of Moon over Manifest and Echo Mountain. When Santo’s father left their tiny town in Italy for America, he made Santo promise to keep their family together until he has enough money to bring the rest of them to the US. It takes a few years, but Mama finally gets word that their family can join Papa. Santo couldn’t be more excited to go to America—and to see his father again. However, Santo gets separated from his mother and siblings at Ellis Island, and he is left to fend for himself on the mean streets of Manhattan. Santo doesn’t speak English, he doesn’t know anyone, and he has nowhere to go. He has no money and no help. While searching desperately for a clue as to where his family has gone, Santo gets caught up with a gang of boys who steal to stay alive. But when an unexpected betrayal leaves Santo scrambling, it will take all the street smarts he’s gained to find a way back to his family.

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Rick Kotani's 400 Million Dollar Summer

Waka T. Brown

Oregon Book Award–winning author Waka T. Brown hits a home run in this middle grade novel about a baseball-obsessed twelve-year-old who moves to Oregon to help his grandfather—an elusive old man with a shrouded past—but ends up learning unexpected truths about his family and how they mysteriously parallel the Japanese folktale of Urashima Taro. Rick Kotani is looking forward to spending the entire summer playing baseball. Sure, his team never wins, but he's been practicing a special pitch he knows is going to land him a 400-million-dollar major-league contract . . . someday. That all changes when his mother throws a curveball of her own: Instead of playing ball in California, Rick will be heading to Oregon to help keep an eye on Grandpa Hiroshi while they move him to a retirement home. Trading no-hitters to be a babysitter? Rick is beyond bummed. But once there, Rick discovers Grandpa is actually pretty cool, and the two bond over a Japanese folktale about a fisherman, Urashima Taro, who trades his life on earth for the riches of an underwater kingdom. And like the fisherman, Rick soon forgets about his team back home when he joins a supercompetitive local league that only cares about being the best—at any cost. As the team racks up the wins and Grandpa makes his final move, Rick must decide which ending he wants for his story: Will he fall in line with his ruthless teammates and their victory-obsessed coach in his own "underwater kingdom," or will family, true friendship, and integrity lead him back to shore?

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A Game of Noctis

Deva Fagan

An “exciting, fast-moving” (School Library Journal) middle grade fantasy about a girl who must participate in a deadly game with a ragtag team of players to save her grandfather from a terrible fate—perfect for fans of James Riley and Shannon Messenger! In the opulent, sinking city of Dantessa, the Great Game rules all. Pia Paro believes that so long as you follow the rules, you always have a chance at winning. But after her beloved Gramps is sentenced to a life of servitude, Pia accepts a dangerous offer and joins a team of players seeking to win the most perilous game of all: Noctis. The Seafoxes—Pia’s new teammates—are unlike anyone she’s ever met. There’s brash, bold Carlo; macabre Serafina; kindhearted Pasquale; and their dashing ringleader, Vittoria. Each has their own reason for playing, and soon, Pia begins to question all her long-held beliefs. Maybe the rules Pia once trusted to lift her up have only been keeping her—and thousands of others like her—down. As she struggles with these revelations, Pia must survive a gauntlet of clockwork soldiers, perilous underwater adventures, and even a game against Death herself. But with Pia’s grandfather’s life at stake, Pia must finally decide whether she’s brave enough to not just break the rules, but to change the very nature of the Game.

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The Partition Project

Saadia Faruqi

In this engaging and moving middle grade novel, Saadia Faruqi writes about a contemporary Pakistani American girl whose passion for journalism starts a conversation about her grandmother’s experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan—and the bond that the two form as she helps Dadi tell her story. When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter—her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism.” As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan. As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.

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Movies Showing Nowhere

Yorick Goldewijk

A prizewinning middle grade fantasy adventure about memories, loss and time travel. ‘Strikingly original…A sensational book…The final, emotional twist is like a kick in the solar plexus…but in a good way’—The Guardian On the day Cato came into the world, her mother left it. Cato's dad has been a mere shadow of a person ever since, and Cato has given up reaching out to him. When she finds a mysterious card from an abandoned movie theatre and discovers it has reopened, Cato decides to go take a look. There appears to be something strange about the cinema. The movies showing there are no ordinary movies and somehow the cinema seems to be in connection with the past… Looking for adventure and the truth about her mother, Cato is swept into a dangerous journey through time and memories, straight to a place deep within her heart. A place she had always managed to keep locked away. And then she faces a choice that will change her life, and that of her father, forever.

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Answers to Dog

Pete Hautman

National Book Award winner Pete Hautman explores a friendship like no other—and the universal truth that dogs make life better, especially for underdogs. Evan doesn’t seem to fit in at school or at home. He goes out of his way to avoid attention. He sits at the back of the bus, keeps his head down in class, and keeps to himself. But when a burr-covered border collie—a survivor with a gut instinct about the Boy—starts following him around and joining him on his runs, Evan’s simple duck-and-dodge existence becomes a lot more complicated . . . a lot more like life. Evolving from wary companions to steadfast friends, Evan and the dog run fast and far together, thwart an abusive dog breeder and the school bully, and find the courage to stand up for themselves and to open up to those who matter most. Narrated in alternating viewpoints, this relatable contemporary novel with classic coming-of-age themes has all the hope, pathos, and emotional complexity that mark Pete Hautman’s books for middle-grade readers—and is a deeply satisfying read for animal lovers.

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This Opening Sky

Kelly Hollman, Charlotte Sherman

A moving and accessible, middle grade novel in verse, about an unlikely friendship in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Aurelia, the daughter of a once flourishing plantation, musttill the land herself to keep herself alive. Libby, a freed slave, is workingher way North to live a better life. Together they might just make a really goodteam. Aurelia ??My hands are no longer the hands of a young lady. I drop my hoe and unwrap my bandaged fingers. They are torn, blistered and bleeding. Nails, once perfectly manicured, now dirty and broken. The hands of a field worker. Libby ??I must find someone who will barter some eggs or a loaf of bread or a piece of meat for a day's work. Trouble is, most plantations are either abandoned or already have too many mouths to feed.

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Safiyyah's War

Hiba Noor Khan

Winner of the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize Winner of the Indie Book Awards for Children's Fiction Winner of the Week Junior Book Award for Older Fiction Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 'Safiyyah's War has the soul of a classic & the urgency of a story for our times. A tale of tolerance, unthinkable bravery, and heart-in-mouth true events. I loved this book' – Kiran Millwood Hargrave 'All at once, Safiyyah's War broke my heart and filled me with immense hope. With its unforgettable characters and exquisite storytelling, this really is an extraordinary book' – A F Steadman 'Safiyyah is a protagonist I was rooting for all throughout; a lovely, kind-hearted girl whose story filled me in turns with despair and joy. This book shines through with kindness and empathy at its very heart' – Nizrana Farook 'Luminous prose . . . a riveting read for children and adults alike' – New York Times War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah’s life changes for ever. Her best friend’s family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to run the dangerous errands around the city. It’s not long before hundreds of persecuted Jews seek sanctuary at the mosque. Can Safiyyah find the courage to enter the treacherous catacombs under Paris and lead the Jews to safety?

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The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

Jordan Lees

A #1 New York Times bestseller! Doll Bones meets Skandar and the Unicorn Thief in this spooky, illustrated middle grade novel about a boy who doesn't believe in magic discovering a supernatural world full of danger. It began with a crack in the wall . Eleven-year-old Benjamiah Creek believes in science, logic, and the power of reason. He definitely does not believe in magic. But when he receives a mysterious doll in the mail–a doll that can transform into a bird–he is led into an impossible (and most definitely magical) realm: Wreathenwold. Wreathenwold is dangerous and holds many secrets within its labyrinthine walls–magi prowl, Hanged Men stalk, and at the center of its shifting streets lurks the Minotaur, a beastly creature and object of terror. In no time at all, Benjamiah is swept into a perilous adventure with the fierce and brilliant Elizabella, a girl determined to solve the disappearance of her missing brother, who may be caught up in a decades-old conspiracy that could doom them all. Will Benjamiah ever find his way home? Or will he be lost forever in the labyrinth?

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Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop

Joshua S. Levy

"Discovering they're both trapped in a bar mitzvah time loop, reliving their celebrations in the same New Jersey hotel over and over again, Finn and Ezra team up to break the loop, and as their schemes become desperate, they must figure out how to move forward"–

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Dinner at the Brake Fast

Renee Beauregard Lute

Dinner at the Brake Fast is a hilarious and heartfelt story about road-trip mishaps, a murderous rooster, facing down anxieties, and unexpected friendship that is a must-pick for readers who loved The Science of Unbreakable Things and The First Rule of Punk. Tacoma Jones loves working at her family’s roadside diner, the Brake Fast, pouring coffee and serving eggs and muffins to truckers all day long. But tonight, she is finally going to break out her collection of cookbooks and prepare the best dinner the state of Washington has ever seen. But her excitement is dampened when she learns that today is one of Dad’s bad days, when his depression makes it hard for him to get out of bed. Tacoma knows she can’t fix her dad’s depression. But what she can do is steal back his prized photograph of his second-best day from her nemesis, the nasty Crocodile Kyle—while also planning a dinner that is sure to brighten up his bad day. She just might need an accomplice or two to pull off the heist. . . .

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A Two-Placed Heart

Doan Phuong Nguyen

"Afraid her and her sister could lose sight of their Vietnamese identity, twelve-year-old Bom writes a poetic memoir to help them both remember. Based on author's life"–

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Jasmine Is Haunted

Mark Oshiro

AN INDIE NEXT PICK! A novel of ghosts, grief and the friends who make it all ok by #1 New York Times bestselling co-author Mark Oshiro! "Heartfelt, funny, fast-paced, and spooky—this book will indeed haunt you in all the best ways. I was hooked from page one!" —Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series Jasmine Garza has a problem: a ghost has been following her for years, ever since her Papi died. Not that Mami will admit anything supernatural is going on. But even the ghost she won’t acknowledge makes real trouble, so Jasmine and her mami are moving (again) to a new apartment in East Hollywood. This time Jasmine is committed to living a normal life with normal friends. Enter: Bea Veracruz and Jorge Barrera. They’re the only two members of Jasmine's middle school's Gay Straight Alliance and they’re already obsessed with all things supernatural. Bea wants to prove herself to her paranormal investigator parents and Jorge is determined to overcome his fear of the beyond. And when Jasmine confesses she’s been tormented by a ghost for years, they not only believe her, they’re thrilled! Together they set out to prove that Jasmine’s not just acting out after her father’s death–ghosts are real and Jasmine is haunted. But not everyone agrees how to deal with the departed. As Jasmine’s hauntings increase in intensity, her resentment builds. Why is her Mami so secretive about her past? Why is she the center of such a terrible vortex of supernatural activity? And why hasn’t her Papi ever reached out to her since he passed? In order to face her ghosts—both internal and external—Jasmine must come to terms with her own history. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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The Sherlock Society

James Ponti

Twelve-year-old Alex Sherlock, his thirteen-year-old sister Zoe, and their friends Lina and Yadi decide to spend their summer in Miami investigating the many "cold cases" their grandfather accumulated during his years as a reporter–first up, Al Capone and a buried treasure.

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Puzzleheart

Jenn Reese

Get ready to solve the mystery at the heart of this captivating new middle grade adventure about family—and a house with a mind of its own—from the award-winning author of Game of Fox & Squirrels and Every Bird a Prince, Jenn Reese. Twelve-year-old Perigee has never met a problem they couldn’t solve. So when their Dad’s spirits need raising, Perigee formulates the Plan: a road trip to Dad’s childhood home to reunite him with his estranged mother. There's something in it for Perigee, too, as they will finally get to visit “Eklunds' Puzzle House,” the mysterious bed & breakfast their grandparents built but never opened. They arrive ahead of a massive storm and the House immediately puts Perigee’s logical, science-loving mind to the test. Corridors shift. Strange paintings lurk in the shadows. Encoded messages abound. Despite Perigee’s best efforts, neither the House nor Grandma will give up their secrets. And worse, prickly Grandma has outlawed games and riddles of any kind. Even the greatest of plans can crumble, and as new arguments fill the air, the House becomes truly dangerous. Deadly puzzles pop up at every turn, knives spin in the hallways, and staircases disappear. The answer lies at the heart of the House, but in order to find it, Perigee and their new friend Lily will need to solve a long-lost, decades-old riddle… if the House itself doesn’t stop them first.

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The Creepening of Dogwood House

Eden Royce

The Walter Award Honor–winning author of Root Magic returns with a terrifying story in the Southern Gothic tradition, inspired by the hoodoo practice of hair burning. At night, Roddie still dreams of sitting at his mother’s feet while she braids his Afro down. But that’s a memory from before. Before his mom died in a tragic accident. Before he was taken in by an aunt he barely knows. Before his aunt brought him to Dogwood House, the creepiest place Roddie has ever seen. It was his family’s home for over a hundred years. Now the house—abandoned and rotting, draped in Spanish moss that reminds him too much of hair—is his home too. Aunt Angie has returned to South Carolina to take care of Roddie and reconnect with their family’s hoodoo roots. Roddie, however, can’t help but feel lost. His mom had never told him anything about hoodoo, Dogwood House, or their family. And as they set about fixing the house up, Roddie discovers that there is even more his mother never said. Like why she left home when she was seventeen, never to return. Or why she insisted Aunt Angie always wear her hair in locs. Or what she knew of the strange secrets hidden deep within Dogwood House—secrets that have awoken again, and are reaching out to Roddie…

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Free Period

Ali Terese

This middle-grade Moxie centering period equity is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for the next generation! "Absolute fire." — Book Riot Helen and Gracie are pranking their way through middle school when a stinky stunt lands them in the front office — again. Because nothing else has curbed their chaos, the principal orders the best friends to do the unthinkable: care about something. So they join the school’s Community Action Club with plans to do as little as humanly possible. But when Helen is caught unprepared by an early period and bleeds through her pants — they were gold lame! — the girls take over the club’s campaign for maxi pads in bathrooms for all students who menstruate. In the name of period equity, the two friends use everything from over-the-top baked goods to glitter gluing for change. But nothing can prepare them for a clueless school board (ew), an annoying little sister (ugh), and crushes (oh my!). As Helen and Gracie find themselves closer to change and in deeper trouble than ever before, they must decide if they care enough to keep going . . . even if it costs them their friendship.

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Graphic

Monster Locker

Jorge Aguirre

In this first volume of a thrilling middle grade graphic novel series, a sixth-grader named Pablo discovers his locker is a portal to the realm of monsters! For hundreds of years, something in the basement of Glenfield Middle School has waited for its chance to open a portal into the realm of monsters. Now its time has come, and the school is going to need a hero. Pablo Ortiz . . . isn’t that guy. All he wants to do is lie low and get through middle school in one piece. So when Pablo accidentally opens the portal and summons a vengeful Aztec goddess, he’ll need the butt-kicking skills of his new friends and the wisdom passed down by his abuela to take her on.

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Fresh Start: A Graphic Novel

Gale Galligan

From New York Times bestselling author Gale Galligan comes a funny and vibrant semi-autobiographical middle-grade graphic novel about friendship and belonging. Ollie Herisson's dad is a diplomat, which means her family moves around a lot. She has already lived in Singapore, Korea, France, and the United States. When Ollie starts at a new school, she doesn't worry about making a good impression because she knows that when her family inevitably moves again, she'll get a fresh start somewhere else. A complete reset. It doesn't matter if her classmates think she's weird for pretending that she lives in the world of an imagined anime, or if she makes an enemy out of the most popular girl in her class, or if she does something hugely embarrassing! And it definitely doesn't matter that all her mom wants is for Ollie to be more of a proper Thai daughter. But after moving from Germany to Virginia and having a mortifying first day at her new school, Ollie is shocked to learn that her parents are going to buy a house so that Ollie and her sister, Cat, can finish grade school in one place. Can Ollie figure out how to both be herself and make real friends when she can't run away from her life?

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The Firelight Apprentice

Bree Paulsen

The bestselling author-illustrator of Garlic and the Vampire, Bree Paulsen, brings her fantastical storytelling and warm, sparkling artwork to this story that celebrates the bond between sisters. In a city powered by magic and still recovering from a bloody war, Ada is concerned about her younger sister Safi’s developing powers. She understands that Safi could learn how to control her magic under the apprenticeship of a king's magician. But with the memories of war still fresh, Ada is conflicted by this prospect—despite her knowing that she can’t keep Safi safely at home with the threat of deadly, power-thieving liches prowling the kingdom. When a traveling group of magicians comes to the city to perform, they immediately recognize Safi’s talents and offer to take her on as an apprentice. Safi is thrilled about her new adventure—even if that means leaving behind Ada and their sickly father. And Ada is right to worry about her sister, for there may be monsters hiding behind friendly faces…

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Lion Dancers

Cai Tse

"A boy feels his passion for lion dancing re-igniting after the death of his father, and so he decides to join the local junior team, where his ex-best friend becomes his new rival"–

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Non-Fiction and Biography

Dovey Undaunted: A Black Woman Breaks Barriers in the Law, the Military, and the Ministry

Tonya Bolden

Coretta Scott King Honor–winning author Tonya Bolden chronicles the life of an intrepid lawyer and civil rights pioneer. Dovey Johnson Roundtree was most famous for her successful defense of an indigent Black man accused of the murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer, a prominent white Washington, DC, socialite, in 1965. Despite her triumph in this high-profile case, Roundtree continued to represent the poor and the underserved. She was the first lawyer to bring a bus desegregation case before the Interstate Commerce Commission, clinching the ruling that enabled Robert F. Kennedy to enforce bus integration. She was also among the first Black women to enter the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, and was one of the first ordained female ministers in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Tracing Roundtree’s life from her childhood in Jim Crow North Carolina through her adulthood, Tonya Bolden illuminates a little-known figure in American history who believed the law should serve the people, and places her firmly in the context of twentieth-century civil rights and African American culture.

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The Wild River and the Great Dam

Simon Boughton

★ "In this detailed and informative work, Boughton chronicles the construction of the Hoover Dam via compellingly comprehensive text." —Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ "This well-written narrative is bound to become the authority on this modern American marvel." —Booklist, starred review Discover the complicated history behind the construction of Hoover Dam—one of the country’s most recognizable and far-reaching landmarks—and its lasting political and environmental effects on the Colorado River and the American West. At the time of its completion in 1936, Hoover Dam was the biggest dam in the world and the largest feat of architecture and engineering in the country—a statement of national ambition and technical achievement. It turned the wild Colorado River into a tame and securely managed water source, transforming millions of acres of desert into farmland while also providing water and power to the fast-growing population of the Southwest. The concrete monolith quickly became a symbol of American ingenuity; however, its history is laden with contradiction. It provided work for thousands, but it was a dangerous project that exploited desperate workers during the Depression. It helped secure the settlement and economies of the Southwest, but at the expense of Indigenous peoples and the environment; and it created a dependency on the Colorado River’s water, which is under threat from overuse and climate change. Weaving together elements of engineering, geography, and political and socioeconomic history, and drawing heavily from unpublished oral histories taken from dam workers and their families, Simon Boughton’s thoughtful and compelling debut—featuring historical photographs throughout—follows the construction and impact of Hoover Dam, and how its promise of abundance ultimately created a river in crisis today. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection "A fascinating history of the building of the Hoover Dam…. A great addition to nonfiction collections covering dams, ecology, and history of the Southwest." —School Library Journal "A fascinating blend of social and environmental history and engineering." —Kirkus Reviews "Truly breathtaking. This is a powerful story and like the water slowly rising behind that concrete barrier, it becomes more powerful with each page turn." —David Macaulay, two-time recipient of the Caldecott Medal and creator of the bestselling The Way Things Work "An exciting mix of research, storytelling, and an astounding true story—one that’s still unfolding today." —Steve Sheinkin, three-time National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor author of Bomb

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Fearless Firsts: Athletes Who Changed the Game

James Buckley Jr., Ellen Labrecque

Celebrate over 50 athletes who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the rules! While these athletes came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can't" for an answer. With a don't-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better sports world. In this book, you'll read about very famous athletes, like Jackie Robinson and Simone Biles. You'll also discover the first female drag-racing champion and the first Latino American baseball superstar. You'll meet the first Olympian with an amputated leg, the first blind Ironman racer, the first transgender college champion, and the first Asian American Olympic gold medalists. Beyond individual athletes, you'll learn how Title IX impacted sports, why the Paralympics matters, and the history behind the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team. By the time you're done reading, whether you're an athlete or not, you'll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in anything you set your mind to!

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When Forests Burn

Albert Marrin

A fascinating look at the most destructive wildfires in American history, the impact of climate change, and what we're doing right and wrong to manage forest fire, from a National Book Award finalist. Perfect for young fans of disaster stories and national history. Wildfires have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Forests need fire–it's as necessary to their well-being as soil and sunlight. But some fires burn out of control, destroying everything and everyone in their path. In this book, you'll find out about: how and why wildfires happen how different groups, from Native Americans to colonists, from conservationists to modern industrialists, have managed forests and fire the biggest wildfires in American history–how they began and dramatic stories of both rescue and tragedy what we're doing today to fight forest fires Chock full of dramatic stories, fascinating facts, and compelling photos, When Forests Burn teaches us about the past–and shows a better way forward in the future.

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Gods Don’t Cry: Unsung Stories of Ireland’s Forgotten Immortals

Ellen Ryan

Ancient stories that challenge modern notions of what it means to be a hero.

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Evolution: A Celebration of Beautiful Animals

William Spring

This stunning book shows how a variety of amazing creatures have evolved to look and behave the way they do. From the familiar but imposing American bison to the elusive narwhal, the animals of the globe have all been touched by evolution, developing unique and fascinating traits to ensure their survival. In this deeply informative and gorgeously illustrated compendium of some of the world's most unique animals, celebrate the way all living things have adapted for survival in astonishing and beautiful ways.

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Amazing Immortals

Dinah Dunn Williams

A culturally diverse, fact-filled, and gorgeously illustrated introduction to over 80 gods and goddesses from around the world With heroic deeds, family drama, pulse-pounding battles, and shape-shifting magic, mythology fascinates us all. But even the biggest enthusiasts find it hard to keep track of who's who! Packed with facts and full-color, lush illustrations, Amazing Immortals is a fascinating introduction to these larger-than-life gods and goddesses, highlighting their big personalities, famous adventures, formidable powers, family trees, animal companions, and appearances in pop culture. Organized by theme–from gods of creation to gods of death and the underworld; from gods of water to gods of fire; from gods of love to gods of war–this diverse encyclopedia features both familiar and underrepresented deities. Filled with betrayal, intrigue, romance, and impossible feats, their captivating stories entertain us, explain our world, and help answer some of life's biggest questions. Includes gods and goddesses from 30 pantheons: Akan Annang Aztec Babylonian Bushongo Canaanite Celtic Chinese Efik Egyptian Finnish Greek Hawai'ian Hindu Hittite Hopi Ibibio Incan Inuit Korean Lithuanian Māori Mayan Navajo Norse Pueblo Roman Shinto Sumerian Yoruba

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Need even more books to read? Check the shelves for this series and author we love!

• History Smashers by Kate Messner (Series)
• Ami Polonsky (Author)

Middle School Lists 2025

Brown Middle School: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades.
Students must read TWO books: one of their own choosing and the following:

• 6th Grade: Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat
• 7th Grade: The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
• 8th Grade: Choose a book from the following
  • Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh
  • When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn
  • Seafire by Natalie Parker
  • Clues to the Universe by Christina Li
  • King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
  • The Reckless Club by Beth Vrabel
• A selection of books has been curated by NPS librarians to help students find books of their choosing. Here is a link to the Summer Reading 2025 suggestion list.

Day Middle School: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades

High School Lists 2025

Newton North: https://nnhslibrary.newton.k12.ma.us/summerreadingpage2025

Newton South: https://nshslibrary.newton.k12.ma.us/c.php?g=1471617