Recommended Reading for Grades 6-8

  • cover photo of Forest World La Selva book by Margarita Engle two young children sit huddled on the forest floor

    Forest World

    Told entirely in verse, Forest World embraces a hybrid form of storytelling. Use this novel with students to explore poetry, increase their understanding of forest biodiversity, learn how to make your own paper, and much more!

  • Wishtree_Childrens-book-cover

    Wishtree

    Wishtree tackles tough topics with scientific facts, all told from the perspective of a generations-old red oak tree. It is best suited for middle grade readers who are growing out of illustrated narrative and into more complex subject matter.

  • Song-of-the-Trees-book-cover

    Song of the Trees

    It’s the 1930s in rural Mississippi. This short novel for grades 6-8 tracks a family’s tough choices during the Great Depression. Something tells 8-year-old Cassie the family’s trees are worth something…

  • The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story

    The word “yoga” derives from a Sanskrit word “yuj,” meaning “to unite or integrate.” This book embodies Sanskrit’s yuj and can be used to integrate multiple discipline areas.

  • The Walking Fish: recommended reading for grades 6-8

    The Walking Fish

    Use this book with grades 6-8 to emphasize several Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.

  • chocolate-book-cover-grades-6-8

    Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets of the World’s Favorite Treat

    What is the difference between cacao and cocoa? Where do cocoa woods grow? Why do we crave chocolate? This book (ages 12+) explores these questions.

  • energy and power children's book

    Energy: Reading for Grades 6-8

    A collection of children’s books about energy for grades 6-8.