Sixth grade is this weird in-between space. They're too old for "baby books" (their words, not mine) but often not quite ready for full YA content. They're developing their own taste, they're acutely aware of what their friends are reading, and they're starting to have OPINIONS about what's "cringe" versus what's cool.

Also, they're competing with Roblox, Discord, and whatever the current TikTok obsession is. A book needs to hit HARD to compete with that dopamine stream.

Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan) If your kid hasn't discovered Percy Jackson yet, start here. Like, genuinely start here. The series is a gateway drug to reading for reluctant middle schoolers. It's got action, humor, mythology that makes them feel smart, and a protagonist with ADHD and dyslexia who's actually the hero. The Disney+ show just made it relevant again for this generation.

The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) Yes, it came out in 2008. Yes, it's still absolutely dominating 6th grade. The prequel movie brought it roaring back, and honestly, the themes of inequality, survival, and questioning authority hit different in 2026. Fair warning: it gets dark. There's violence. But it's also brilliantly written and sparks incredible conversations about power and media manipulation. Learn more about The Hunger Games.

Keeper of the Lost Cities (Shannon Messenger) This series is MASSIVE in 6th grade right now and somehow flies under many parents' radar. It's got the fantasy world-building kids crave, a smart protagonist, found family dynamics, and enough books in the series (we're talking 9+ books) to keep them occupied for months. Think Harry Potter meets X-Men.

Can we please retire the idea that graphic novels are "lesser" reading? Because 6th graders are devouring these, and they're legitimately good storytelling.

Smile and Guts (Raina Telgemeier) These memoirs about middle school awkwardness, dental drama, and anxiety are like catnip for this age group. They see themselves in these stories. Guts especially resonates with kids dealing with anxiety—which is, let's be real, a lot of 6th graders right now.

Amulet (Kazu Kibuishi) Adventure, magic, incredible artwork. This series has been getting kids hooked for years and continues to be passed around like contraband.

New Kid and Class Act (Jerry Craft) These won a Newbery Medal for good reason. They tackle race, class, and fitting in at a new school with humor and heart. Plus they're just genuinely funny.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney) Yes, they might have aged out of this. But also? Some 6th graders still love these, especially reluctant readers. Don't shame it. A kid reading "below their level" is still a kid reading.

Dog Man (Dav Pilkey) Same deal. If your 6th grader is still into Dog Man, that's actually fine. Reading should be fun, not a constant stretch.

Wonder (R.J. Palacio) This one hits the sweet spot of being accessible for struggling readers while still being emotionally sophisticated enough for advanced readers. It's about a kid with facial differences starting middle school, and it's one of those rare books that seems to work for everyone. Read more about Wonder.

Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling) Yeah, we need to talk about this one. Despite the author's controversial views on trans issues, this series is still incredibly popular with 6th graders. Many families are navigating this by separating the art from the artist, buying used copies, or having conversations about how we can love a story while disagreeing with its creator. You can explore this complicated topic further.

Wings of Fire (Tui T. Sutherland) Dragons. Prophecies. Multiple perspectives. This series is enormous (15+ books) and has a devoted following of kids who will talk your ear off about dragon tribes if you let them.

The Land of Stories (Chris Colfer) Fairy tale retellings with siblings who travel between worlds. It's got that magical escapism that 6th graders crave.

Here's where it gets good. This generation of 6th graders is actively seeking out diverse stories—they WANT to read about different experiences, identities, and perspectives.

The Crossover (Kwame Alexander) A novel in verse about basketball, family, and brotherhood. Even kids who claim to hate poetry get sucked into this one.

Ghost (Jason Reynolds) A kid who's naturally fast joins a track team and has to deal with his past. Reynolds writes with this incredible rhythm that makes his books feel alive.

Front Desk (Kelly Yang) About a Chinese immigrant family running a motel in the 1990s. It's funny, heartbreaking, and eye-opening about the immigrant experience.

The best book for your 6th grader is the one they'll actually read. And I mean actually read—not the one that sits on their nightstand for three months while they scroll TikTok.

Some kids are reading at a 9th grade level and need complex narratives. Some are reading at a 3rd grade level and need high-interest, lower-level texts. Some only want fantasy. Some only want realistic fiction. Some only want graphic novels. All of it counts.

Your job isn't to force feed them the classics or make sure they're reading "quality literature." Your job is to help them find books they love so they become readers. Because readers are thinkers, and thinkers are exactly what we need more of.

Stop by the library and ask the children's librarian what's popular with 6th graders right now. Librarians are criminally underutilized resources and they LIVE for these questions.

Let them abandon books. Seriously. If they're not into it after 50 pages, move on. Life's too short and there are too many good books out there.

Don't quiz them. Just let them read. The comprehension questions can wait.

And if they want to reread the same book seven times? That's not a problem to solve. That's a reader who found their thing.

Want more personalized recommendations based on your specific kid's interests? Chat with our AI about what your 6th grader might actually love.