Entering Grade 6

Realistic Fiction

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Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
Albie has trouble measuring up in school and is a disappointment to his parents, but his new babysitter helps him find out what he is good at.
The Brave by James Bird
Collin has a form of obsessive compulsive disorder that causes him to count and announce the number of letters in the words people speak to him. At his wit's end, his father sends Collin to live with his mom, who he's never met, who lives on a reservation. 
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
Sisters Viji and Rukku run away from a dangerous home life to bustling, overcrowded Chennai. Life there is harsh as well, but the girls find a home on an abandoned bridge with two kind homeless boys. Together, they not only survive but have moments of laughter and pride as well--until sickness changes everything.
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
While his father works two jobs, seventh-grader Efrén must take care of his twin siblings, kindergartners Max and Mia, after their mother is deported to Mexico.
Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter
Flora and her brother Julian have lived in so many foster homes they find it hard to believe that their current home will be their forever home.
It Wasn't Me by Dana Alison Levy
When Theo's photography project is vandalized, he'd just like to forget it and move on.  But his favorite teacher decides the way to solve the problem is to make Theo and all the students who were in the gallery at the time of the vandalism come to school (during Spring Break!) and conduct what she calls a "justice circle." What could go wrong?
A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass    
Mia has always experienced numbers, letters and sounds linked with particular colors, but has kept this hidden for years.  When her condition begins to interfere with some of her classes, she must reveal her secret.
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
At first when some of the boys in her seventh grade class crash the playground birthday celebration for a friend, and give her a hug, Mila thinks nothing of it. Soon, there's another hug, and a smirk, comments on the bus . . . it all feels weird. Her friend says they're just flirting. But it doesn't feel like flirting and soon she just wants to hide, even in band, her favorite subject.
Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson
(also by this author: Posted)
When their teacher has to leave the school due to illness, three boys in her class pool their resources to spring her from the hospital for one perfect day. 
New Kid by Jerry Craft
sequel: Class Act
​Jordan draws all the time and really wanted to go to an art school for seventh grade.  Instead, his parents send him to an elite private school where everything is so different from his neighborhood. (graphic novel)
Until I Find Julian by Patricia Reilly Giff
Mateo’s older brother Julian has left Mexico to go work in the United States.  When the family stops hearing from him, Mateo decides to make the dangerous journey north to find him.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
When Omar gets the opportunity to go to school, he is excited. He knows an education could enable him and his younger brother to get out of the refugee camp where they've spent most of their lives. But going to school also means leaving his brother behind to fend for himself every day. (graphic novel)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
(also by this author: White Bird)
Auggie, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities, goes from being home-schooled to a private middle school, where he must deal with new people and new situations.