Grade 6

📚 Linked by Gordon Korman: A Powerful Classroom Read That Sparked Real Conversations

5 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Highschool, Literature Circles, Read Aloud, Teaching /

Every so often, a book comes along that doesn’t just engage students—it changes the conversation in your classroom.For us, that book was Linked by Gordon Korman. I added Linked to our classroom library after hearing strong recommendations from other teachers—and I’m so glad I did. What started as just another reading option quickly turned into […]

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Sadia by Colleen Nelson – A Powerful YA Novel About Identity, Sports, and Social Justice

4 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Highschool, Literature Circles, Teaching /

I recently read Sadia by Colleen Nelson and immediately knew it needed a place on every middle school classroom bookshelf. This award-winning Canadian novel is an excellent example of inclusive young adult fiction. It explores themes of identity, friendship, belonging, and standing up for what’s right—all through the eyes of a determined teen girl navigating

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The House of Scorpion by N Farmer

4 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Literature Circles, Teaching /

Discover Nancy Farmer’s The House of the Scorpion, a thought-provoking dystopian novel for middle school readers. Explore themes of identity, ethics, and power in a futuristic world of clones and “eejits.” Perfect for classroom discussions on complex topics like morality, technology, and societal structures.

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The Boy in the Black Suit by J Reynolds

4 Star, Black Authors, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Literature Circles, Read Aloud, Teaching /

This story is one of a few i’m going to be reading to educate myself more on black lives, history, and stories. I realize that while i’ve always tried to offer a variance in my classroom library, it can be hard to find good books for tweens by black authors or about black characters; so

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Fast Break by M. Lupica

3 Star, 4 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Teaching /

Mike Lupica’s Fast Break is my first dive into his work, and I can see why his books are such staples in teacher libraries, especially for middle school boys. Known for his sports-centered novels, Lupica combines detailed gameplay with emotional depth, creating stories that resonate with readers who might not usually pick up a book.

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