Terminalcoffee discussion

Im a Middle school teacher looking for a good book to read to my 6th graders. What do you suggest?

I know in England they sometimes read Malorie Blackman, e.g. Noughts and Crosses, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas about that age. Are you doing a particular topic/subject that you could match a story too?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney is great

I am not sure about The Hunger Games though

My kids were blessed with teachers who read aloud. They both loved listening to Mr. Popper's Penguins and Ilsa Ibbotsen. (second name spelling may be off.)

My first, fourth and fifth grade teachers read to my class. It was my favorite part of the day. That and the silent reading hour. The fourth grade teacher read from The Chronicles of Narnia, Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing and Super Fudge. My fifth grade teacher read Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and A Wrinkle in Time.

Anything by Diana Wynne Jones - especially Howl's Moving Castle
Then there's The City of Ember
Gli invisibili e il Segreto di Misty Bay - if you'll find it in your language. It's a paranormal detective novel with kids as main characters. Nice, light read.
Aurian - nice fantasy by Maggie Furey. Everyone who read her books can tell they are worth it :)
I would say Serce Suriela, but I don't think they translated it to any other language.
The Neverending Story - because who haven't read/seen that, although at that age they probably already did :)
Inkheart
Maybe Broken Aro


And I would keep far away from Hunger games - That's not a book for kids. Same as Divergent series.

My sixth grade teacher Mr. McNertney taught us chess and read us updates on Bobby Fisher and other famous chess players. We had chess tournament and it was a glorious equalizer. I was never great, but Walter Z., who was bullied, was a total chess star.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
When You Reach Me

I would poll the class and see what they have already read. Then you can at least start with a genre that most of the class is interested in.

I can also honestly tell you that by the time I was in 6th grade, I would have read most of the books recommended here. That's why I recommend a poll - you don't want to "read down" to them.

Instead of picking the type of genre mostof the class has read, why not pick a genre that most have NOT read--tobroaden the horizons.

How about non-fiction?

American Dinosaur Hunters

Holocaust Rescuers: Ten Stories of Courage

Kids with Courage: True Stories about Young People Making a Difference

Thanks for all the responses, its been very helpful!

Malachi (Mitt) wrote: "Thanks for all the responses, its been very helpful!"

out of curiosity... what did you choose? :)

this thread is what is good about this group. well done guys.

Magda; I started the City of Ember, the kids seem to really like it! ^_^

One that I wish someone had read to us as sixth graders was 'Silverlock' by John Myers Myers.Silverlock

A man is introduced to classic literature in the course of a series of adventures in a mythical land. It's quite magical and might inspire some curiosity about reading.

I'm glad they do :)

and Silverlock seems like fun I wonder if I'll get my hands on it one day ;)

Operation Redwood... great book! Great read-aloud!