13 Best Books for 6th Grade Girls
Finding the perfect book for 6th grade girls isn’t always easy, but this list of great books can help! Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student looking for middle grade books that girls will enjoy reading, this list is sure to have something that they will love!
Young girls have a lot of changes happening during their fifth grade, sixth grade, and seventh grade years. Hormones are changing, the world around them is changing, and ordinary life just becomes different. Most 6th graders start the school year out at a new school. Junior High. Cringe. With all the changes our young adult girls are going through, these next few years will be like traveling through a foreign land. During these years of confusion and finding themselves, I believe the best books for our young readers are those that elaborate on real life events.
Sure, if the kids have questions, they can look it up on internet explorer, or go through social media, but there are some things that are hard to understand until they are written through the perspective of someone who has experienced the same type of situations. There are many fiction and nonfiction books for girls of all grade levels that can assist guiding them through all the strange things that happen throughout the real world.
Of course, all books shouldn’t be serious and intimidating. I have put together a book list ranging from graphic novels, historical fiction, new age, book series, and timeless classics. I can be confident in saying that these are good books that will become your child’s new friends that they will remember for their entire life.
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The Best Books for 6th Grade Girls
Possibly my all-time favorite character is a young girl named Anne. This coming-of-age story about an orphan who moves in with a distant relative is a page turner for sure. Life has many ups and downs and we go through them along with Anne throughout the book series Anne of Green Gables.
Based on events that happened in Lucy Maud Montgomery's life, girls will identify with Anne as she learns to deal with the struggles of school, as she learns what it means to be a true friend, as she experiences love, and as she grows to become a young woman.
This series is wonderful for any middle school girl and will have her locked in from the first page.
Another coming-of-age story, written about 4 sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Each with a different personality compared to the other 3, however, each of the sisters plays a huge role in their survival during the Civil War.
Little Women is also loosely based on true events that happened to the author and her sisters, making it relatable to all those who may be dealing with different situations, such as love, death, depression and glory. Even after 150 years, this classic novel remains a bestseller and beloved favorite among girls everywhere.
This 150th Anniversary Edition includes a foreward by Alice L. George and 200 original illustrations.
Meet Ruthie, a young Cuban-Jewish immigrant girl living in New York City in the 1960s. After a terrible car accident, Ruthie finds herself stuck in a body cast, unable to move or play with her friends.
But don't be too sad! As she spends her days in bed, she discovers the power of stories, imagination, and the kindness of neighbors. Through letters, dreams, and new friendships, Ruthie learns about different cultures, love, and the strength inside her.
Middle school students will love this heartwarming tale because it's about finding hope even in tough times. Plus, they'll get to learn about different cultures and the true meaning of friendship. Sounds fun, right? Give it a read and dive into Ruthie's magical world!
If you like books like Lucky Broken Girl, you’ll love these other women’s history books for children!
This is, by far, one of my most favorite books that I read in middle school. Margaret, a 6th grader, has been brought up with no affiliation to one specific religion. This book dives into some subjects that young girls despise talking about, such as being insecure or embarrassed about their bodies that are going through changes, or how different they feel.
Judy Blume does a fantastic job of connecting with tween and teenage girls, touching on these subjects in such a way that lets adolescent girls feel seen and heard. A very powerful story that is a must read.
The first book to break ground with the Harry Potter series, which opened a wave of Harry Potter fans all around the globe. Starting the magical journey out with an eleven year old orphan, Harry, who finds out that he has magical powers and has been accepted into a school for wizards.
There he becomes friends with Ron and Hermione, beginning the dangerous journey through the newfound magical world as he uses his special powers to fight dark forces and save the world.
While we are pretty sure the entire Harry Potter series is well known on any list of middle school books, we just had to include it in our list here! We are huge Harry Potter fans in our house, and we know sixth graders will love these books too.
This story of Esperanza is based on some of the true stories that the author’s grandmother went through as a child. Esperanza was the daughter of a rich ranch owner. When her father died, her mother refused to remarry and decided to flee to the United States with Esperanza.
This was a time during the Great Depression, which forced them to be moved to a labor camp. Esperanza was not used to living this way and had to work for a living and go through very hard times.
This chapter book is a great read for children to learn about some of the hardships that the immigrants go through in order to live in America. It also teaches how someone who has been put in a horrible situation can overcome anything with willpower and determination.
If you're looking for a graphic novel with a main character who is relatable and keeps you turning the pages, Roller Girl is it.
A young girl, Astrid, attends a roller derby and falls in love with the sport. She and her best friend Nicole become distant through this time, as Astrid puts all of her free time into becoming as good as her role model, Rainbow Bite.
Even through life's most difficult moments, with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Astrid and Nicole must both put forth the effort to save their friendship, but at the same time pursue their dreams.
A Newbery Medal Award Winner and New York Times Bestseller, Roller Girl is an inspiring coming-of-age story that girls will fall in love with.
This series is a must for the middle school book reading list. The beginning of the book starts out during the quiet season at the creaky smuggler’s inn. The inn keeper’s adopted son, twelve-year-old Milo, plans to relax during this time, however, visitors start pouring in during all hours of the night.
Odd folks who they don’t recognize, but somehow are familiar to the house in some way. Items start going missing, and soon, Milo and the cooks daughter, Meddy, are on a mission to solve the mystery of the secretive guests and their connections to the Greenglass House.
Book 1 of the 4 book series, The Greenglass House was a New York Times Bestseller and won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery.
Be sure to check out our top picks for books for 6th grade boys too!
This book is perfect for kids who enjoy puns, clever wordplay, and writing that is different from most other books. Even reluctant readers will have fun reading this book.
A young boy who is bored with life finds his way into a very peculiar world by traveling through a tollbooth that appears in his room. Once he reaches the Island of Conclusions, he realizes that life isn't so boring after all.
For readers who love stories similar to Alice in Wonderland, they will enjoy following Milo on his adventures as they learn that life is really all about perspective.
While this book is recommended for ages 8-12, readers will find that the classic story is appealing to readers of all ages.
Learn about Greek and Roman mythology with Percy Jackson. Percy really tries to be a good kid, but he can’t seem to keep out of trouble. In this first book of the popular book series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, we learn that Percy is actually a demigod. He is the son of the Sea God, Poseidon.
Zeus, the God of Thunder and lightning, has an issue with Percy. These 5 books are great for any classroom book list. Greek and Roman mythology is already an interesting topic, but when it is centered around a story of a young boy, it makes it even more engaging for even the most reluctant readers.
Two brothers from Brooklyn head south for the summer to spend time with their grandparents. They travel all the way to Virginia, in the country. Little brother Genie and his older brother Ernie are super excited. This is their first time leaving Brooklyn.
These two young boys have quite the adventure ahead of them, learning that their Grandpop, who is blind as a bat, is just as sharp as a knife!
Readers will learn about bravery, family, and forgiveness in this amazing novel. A Kirkus Award Finalist, Schneider Family Book Award Winner, and Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book.
12-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl is the most ingenious criminal in history. He is super rich and a master of criminal activities, just like his father. He begins his first mission by tracking a fairy, with the plan to take the Fairy Gold from the Fairy Kingdom.
In this 8 book series, children can stay tuned in and read about the exciting adventures that Artemis is involved in. They will be sitting on the edge of their seats as he comes close to being caught by his enemies in each book.
Related: The Best Books for 7th Graders
Another 12 year old genius, Charlie Thorne has the responsibility to save the world! She needs to figure out the secrets of mankind. An impossible equation that was made up by Einstein, Darwin, and Cleopatra. Charlie must travel the world to crack this code, all while she faces dangerous obstacles.
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Set includes The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Amanda
As a mom of 4 kids (and the oldest of 4 kids herself), Amanda has over 30 years of parenting experience. A former special education teacher, Amanda has a Master’s degree in Special Education and a second M. Ed. in Educational Leadership.
When she’s not working, Amanda enjoys DIY projects, exercising, photography, and long walks through Target.
You can find Amanda on all social media at @parentingnestblog and @amandaseghetti