6th Grade Book Overviews

And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians) by Agatha Christie Ten strangers marooned off the Devon coast at the island home of the mysterious Mr. Owen find they all have one thing in common--each has been responsible for the death of at least one other person. As the "guests" are murdered one-by-one with the methods

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Esperanza thought she'd always live like a princess on their Mexican ranch, but disaster strikes, and her life starts over in the U.S.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother has given him as a present — and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart ever since his parents' divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger, self-pity, or despair — it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell Left alone on a beautiful but isolated island off the coast of California, a young Indian girl spends eighteen years, not only merely surviving through her enormous courage and self- reliance, but also finding a measure of happiness in her solitary life.

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. Even now, Caroline seems to take everything: Louise's friends, their parents' love, her dreams for the future.For once in her life, Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes Because Johnny is proud of the work he does as a silversmith's apprentice, his master warns him that pride goes before a fall. When Johnny violates the law by working on Sabbath Day, his hand is maimed by hot silver and he must find a new profession. His search lands him in the middle of America's fight for freedom.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George Fifteen-year-old Sam Gribley has decided to run away from his crowded apartment home, but unlike most kids who rarely get beyond their block, Sam goes from New York City all the way to the ruined farm of Great-grandfather Gribley in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. There are no buildings or people on the old Gribley farm, so Sam sets up residence by hollowing out the trunk of an ancient Hemlock tree. He has brought only a few tools of survival with him: a penknife, a ball of cord, an ax, 40 dollars, and some flint and steel to help him make fire. Using these simple tools and his wits, Sam learns to live off the land, and in the course of a year, discovers just how much he values freedom, independence, and adventure when faced with the challenges of blizzards, loneliness and fear.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo Private Thomas Peaceful has left his family behind. He has followed his older brother Charlie to France to fight in the First World War. Now, young Thomas has been ordered to stand night watch over the battlefields. As the minutes tick by, Thomas's memories are full of his childhood spent deep in the countryside. But every moment Thomas spends thinking about his life brings him another moment closer to something he cannot bear to think about, a time when the war and its horrific consequences will change his life forever.

The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau (Author) In a post-apocalyptic, underground world, Lina and Doon discover the truths behind their dying community's dire situation.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin When sixteen people are called together for the reading of wealthy Sam Westing's will, they are surprised to learn that the will is actually a contest in which they are all to participate. Working with partners, the potential heirs take their clues to try to find the elusive answer to the Westing game and thus take their shares of the two-hundred-million-dollar prize.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt Time drags by for Winnie Foster, an eleven-year-old girl who lives in a house bordering the woods owned by her family. Winnie spends her summer days under the watchful eye of her grandmother. Most of the time, it's too hot to be out in the sun, and when Winnie does actually venture outside, she never goes beyond the fence of the yard. But one morning she sneaks away into the woods and there she sees a young man drinking from a mysterious spring of water he uncovers at the base of tree. The young man, Jesse Tuck, discovers Winnie watching him. So he kidnaps her.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls Billy Colman roams the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his bluetick hound and his precious coonhound pup trying to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs.