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Beyond the Gate

Lower School student reading in the library

This selection of books, recommended by 4th-6th grade teachers, aims to inspire a love for reading in rising 4th-6th grade students. Our carefully curated list includes top picks in contemporary/realistic fiction, fantasy/science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and non-fiction. We encourage parents to review each book to ensure it aligns with family values and the maturity level of their child.


Contemporary/Realistic Fiction

  1. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
    • A novel in verse about twelve-year-old Josh Bell navigating middle school life and his dad’s declining health.
  2. Blended by Sharon Draper
    • Eleven-year-old piano prodigy Isabella deals with racial tensions and her parents' custody battle.
  3. Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim
    • Comedy-loving Yumi faces a moral dilemma when a case of mistaken identity grants her an exciting opportunity.

Fantasy/Science Fiction

  1. Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate
    • Byx, believed to be the last dairne, embarks on a quest to find more of her species.
  2. The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
    • Roz, a reprogrammed robot, befriends a family while longing to return to her son.
  3. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
    • Morrigan Crow must compete in magical trials to stay in Nevermoor and avoid her doom.

Historical Fiction

  1. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
    • Isabel, an enslaved girl, spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.
  2. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Bradley
    • A young disabled girl and her brother find a new life away from their abusive mother during WWII.
  3. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
    • A young girl chronicles her life-changing year moving from Vietnam to Alabama through poetry.

Mystery

  1. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
    • Sixth grader Tommy and friends try to figure out if a paper Yoda puppet can predict the future.
  2. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
    • Thirteen-year-old legal wizkid Theodore Boone gets involved in a high-profile murder trial.
  3. City Spies by James Ponti
    • Sarah Martinez joins forces with teenage spies to outwit an evil genius.

Non-Fiction

  1. The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nick Day
    • The true heist story of how the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 made it the most famous painting in the world.
  2. When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed
    • The touching portrayal of family life in a refugee camp.
  3. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
    • Malala’s fight for education for girls under Taliban rule and her inspiring story.

Get ready for an adventure in reading! Dive into these amazing books and let your imagination soar this summer. Happy reading!

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