Fantastic Books for Fifth & Sixth Graders

Idolizing The Vanquishers, vampire hunters who wiped out the undead decades before, 12-year-old Malika and her crew suspect a vampire is involved when a new student goes missing and know who to call to protect their town.

Does turning 11 mean that you can have new thoughts, try new things, or will you be the same person you were when you were 10? In this collection of short stories, children around the world turn 11 and take a step into their futures.

When Brie was younger, her mama used to surprise her with treasure hunts around their island town. After she died three years ago, these became Brie's favorite memories. Now, on her 12th birthday, her mama has another surprise: a series of letters leading Brie on one last treasure hunt.

Colin and Nevaeh both find mysterious letters dating back to the 1970s, one of which reads like a confession to a crime and threatens their new friendship by pitting their families against each other.

This story of environmental activism is told from three perspectives: Malia, who is prepared to risk anything for her activism; Ari, who knows the right path but fears what it will cost; and Ginger Juice, the caged orangutan who still remembers the forest and her mother.

When his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil’s Arithmetic contains blacked out words, Mac, who was raised to call out things that are wrong, takes a stand against censorship and intolerance.

When a mysterious figure tells him he must save an island where bloodthirsty unicorns roam free, Skandar Smith answers the call and, along with newfound friends and a community of riders, engages in an epic battle that will tear his world apart.

Determined to run away from her home in the Valley, an area controlled by the tyrannical Night Coats, Alidade stumbles upon a magical hideaway belonging to the Mapmakers, long-lost peacekeepers, and accidentally brings to life a creature meant to protect the Valley.

When she has to take Swim 101, middle schooler Bree must face one of her greatest fears, but with a little help from an elderly neighbor and former swim team captain, she becomes her school's best hope to beat their rival.

When five overlooked students are forced to complete their school's community service hours, they meet someone in need and must each decide if they are willing to expose their own secrets to help, or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school.

After her so-called BFF ditches her during summer camp, Katie returns home and cannot stop worrying about everything-- friends, the sixth grade, getting braces-- and feels no one will like her due to her anxiety.

Tired of going to the salon to have her curls straightened every weekend, Marlene slowly learns to embrace her natural curly hair with the help of her best friend and favorite aunt.

From a family restaurant to a hot-dog shaped car, from an empty road on a moonlight night to a classroom holiday celebration, this anthology of personal stories from award-winning and bestselling authors, shows that hope can live everywhere, even-- or especially-- during the darkest of times.

Before the Civil War, a team of abolitionists used quilts and signal lanterns to guide enslaved people to freedom, right? WRONG! Illustrations, photos and graphic panels reveal more hidden truths.

Discover inspiring stories of wildlife brought back from the brink of extinction, like Yellowstone National Park's wolves and the Galápagos' giant tortoises.