Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Hello,
I am looking for a great new book to add to my 6th grade Literature curriculum. Specifically, I am looking for a "Coming of Age" type of story. Bonus: a female protagonist (all of our books right now have male narrators). Any suggestions? Thanks, all!

The Lions of Little Rock

The Mighty Miss Malone

Just about any by Karen Cushman

Thank you!

Have you read from The Land of Elyon series? Female protagonist with ability to talk to animals.

Interesting- I will look into it... thank you!

Gosh there are so many. One of my favorites is Life as We Knew it by Susan Pfeffer

A female protagonist and a dystopia theme. Life is radically altered when the moon changes its orbit and moves closer to earth disrupting the weather patterns and oh so much more.

Here is a list of titles that would work for books with a female protagonist for a sixth grade literature class. I picked a variety of themes from dystopia, mystery, holocaust, historical fiction, and more.

Code Name Verity

Adoration of Jenna Fox


Between Shades of Gray - Captured by the Russians and sent to a concentration camp. This one is riveting.


Divergent


Girl Stolen, wonderful mystery; blind girl kidnapped when a car is stolen.


Out of My Mind - a disabled girl is trapped in her body and cannot communicate.


Drowning Anna - a girl is bullied by her peers


Speak- a girl stops speaking and no one notices since all her friends shun her after a party. Several of my children had this their 6th gr lit class. But this is one to read BEFORE choosing.


Girl is Murder - crime mystery, girl helps her detective father in 1940 set Brooklyn.


Newbery Winner - When You Reach Me- girl unravels a mystery about a homeless guy in her neighborhood.


My Last Skirt: Story of Jennie Hodgers- Girl becomes a Union soldier during the civil war.


Contact me again if you need more titles. This was fun to go through some of my shelves and pick out great reads with women leads.

Good Luck.

Nice, Judy! I've read only a couple of those. I need to add several to my to-read list!

Donna Gephart is a wonderful author. Two of her middle grade books feature girls main characters

Her book features a boy main character, but is fantastic as well.

Hey, I wasn't sure which thread to add this to, so I'm adding it here. My MG novel, FOUR FIENDS is on sale on kindle for 99 cents. I'd love to get some reads and opinions, so far all the reviews have been very positive. Here's the kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Fiends-Cou...

Thanks everyone, you all are fantastic!

Nikki wrote: "Hey, I wasn't sure which thread to add this to, so I'm adding it here. My MG novel, FOUR FIENDS is on sale on kindle for 99 cents. I'd love to get some reads and opinions, so far all the reviews ..."

Hi, Nikki!

I downloaded your book. We don't get to read our e-books often so it may take us a while to get to it but we'll read it eventually and look forward to it!
~Christine :)

And I just finished it last night! Enjoyed it a lot. Will eventually get to my review of it. . .

I like it! I started reading it during my daughter's gymnastics class and I want to keep going! I think my daughter will like it a lot. Nice work, Nikki.

Jennifer, my blog lists websites featuring award-winning children's books, especially middle-grade books: http://www.maggie-lyons.blogspot.com. I'll continue the list over the next two weeks and add to it over the coming months. Suggestions for additions to these lists are welcome.

Hi, My book is a MG/YA crossover fantasy story. I will leave the link, incase you are interested.xxx
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

I loved the 39 Clues series. A brother nad a sister had to work together on a very, hard adventure. Teamwork! I have a 13 and a 12 year old and they loved them. They are very action-packed!

If you haven't picked up a copy of Suzanne de Montigny's The Shadow of the Unicorn for your young reader, they are missing a fabulous story about growing up complete with dragons and Unicorns!

If you teach elementary school and study the Medieval time period, knights, Arthur, and growing up, I invite you to take a look at my Arthurian tales: Guinevere:On the Eve of Legend and Young Knights of the Round Table:The King's Ransom. Both awarding novellas.

http://www.goodreads.com/cherylcarpin...

Cheryl wrote: "If you haven't picked up a copy of Suzanne de Montigny's The Shadow of the Unicorn for your young reader, they are missing a fabulous story about growing up complete with dragons and Unicorns!"

I'm reading this one now and second this recommendation.

Cheryl wrote: "If you teach elementary school and study the Medieval time period, knights, Arthur, and growing up, I invite you to take a look at my Arthurian tales: Guinevere:On the Eve of Legend and Young Knigh..."

Another good choice!

I just had a lovely review from a young reader for my MG novel. http://gaeaplanetbooks.wordpress.com/...

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, of course, but you already have that in your curriculum I bet

My book's main character is a boy, but he's supported by a smart, strong-willed sister. It's a quick read for the e-reader but emotional and full of surprises. Saving Oliver

One of my very favorite coming of age stories -- Becoming Naomi Leon, by Pam Munoz Ryan. Gorgeous writing.

If you're still looking for MG books with female lead, I have to suggest Louisa May Alcott's EIGHT COUSINS. It's a fabulous book, and if I had a daughter I'd be sure to read it with her once a year.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

Fairy School Dropout is kind of easy, but the first book in the series is pretty good! I haven't read the others yet. :)

Rules by Cynthia Lord. It's about a girl who feels overshadowed by her younger brother who has autism.