Grade 6 Requirements
For Rising 6th Graders
The ACDS Reading and Response Journal project is required summer work. Students may choose to keep either a hard copy journal, an online blog, or a combination of the two. The requirements are the same for blogging or journaling; it is just the format that is different. Students should view the journal as a way to chronicle their summer and to share their personality with their classmates and teachers in September. Students will not receive a grade on this project, but will receive teacher feedback, and the journal will provide the basis for conversations that will allow teachers to get to know students better. Everyone will want to keep a journal that helps them document a great summer and one that makes them proud.
Required Journal or Blog Entries (You must complete each of these)
Remember: all journal entries should include the date the entry was written. (It is okay if you create multiple entries on the same date.). Don't forget to use complete sentences, correct capitalization, punctuation and spelling.
Approachable: These are highly accessible, engaging reads that offer plenty to think about.
Ugly by Robert HogeSynopsis: Born with severe facial differences, Robert Hoge shares his journey of growing up, facing bullying, finding confidence, and learning to accept himself.
Best for readers who:
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline WoodsonSynopsis: Written in beautiful free verse poems, Woodson reflects on growing up as a Black girl in the South and New York during the Civil Rights era.
Best for readers who:
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Synopsis: Omar Mohamed tells the story of growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing Somalia.
Best for readers who:
The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan SonnenblickSynopsis: Jordan Sonnenblick shares humorous stories from his childhood, including embarrassing moments, family adventures, school mishaps, and the experiences that helped shape him into a writer. Through each story, he reflects on growing up and learning from mistakes.Recommended for readers who enjoy:
On Grade Level: These are excellent fits for the average rising sixth grader.
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
Synopsis: Rex shares his experiences growing up in poverty while trying to fit in at school and hide his family's financial struggles.
Best for readers who:
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Synopsis: Malala tells the story of standing up for girls' education in Pakistan and surviving an attack by extremists.
Best for readers who:
Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
Synopsis: The true story of the youngest person saved by Oskar Schindler during the Holocaust.
Best for readers who:
Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang
Synopsis: Ji-li's life changes dramatically during China's Cultural Revolution as she struggles between loyalty to her family and pressure from the government.
Best for readers who:
The Passport Project by Kellie McIntyre
Synopsis: When two sisters leave middle school behind for a five-month journey around the world, they experience new cultures, unexpected challenges, and unforgettable adventures. Through their travels across four continents, they discover that some of life's most important lessons happen outside the classroom.
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
Discovering Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Synopsis: In this young readers’ adaptation of The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore reflects on his childhood, family, education, and the choices that helped shape his future. Growing up in a challenging environment, Wes faced obstacles and difficult decisions, but with the support of family members, mentors, and teachers, he found a path toward success. Through personal stories and honest reflection, he explores how opportunity, responsibility, and community can influence a person's life.
Recommended for readers who:
Synopsis: What begins as a simple school pen-pal assignment turns into a life-changing friendship. Caitlin, a middle school student in Pennsylvania, starts exchanging letters with Martin, a boy living in Zimbabwe. As their friendship grows, Caitlin learns about the challenges Martin faces, including poverty and limited access to education. Through years of letters, their connection helps both of them better understand the world, and ultimately changes the course of Martin’s life.
Recommended for readers who:
Questions to Answer in your Summer Journal:
How does the author change over the course of the memoir?
Identify an important challenge, experience, or relationship that influences this change. What does the author learn about themselves by the end of the book?
How do the settings in the memoir impact the author's thoughts, choices, or actions?
Consider both physical settings (where the author lives, goes to school, travels, etc.) and social settings (family, culture, community, historical events).
What is one important theme the author develops throughout the memoir?
State the theme as a life lesson or message, then explain how the author's experiences help readers understand that theme.
Ugly by Robert HogeSynopsis: Born with severe facial differences, Robert Hoge shares his journey of growing up, facing bullying, finding confidence, and learning to accept himself.
Best for readers who:
- Enjoy personal stories
- Like books about resilience and self-confidence
- Connected with Wonder
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline WoodsonSynopsis: Written in beautiful free verse poems, Woodson reflects on growing up as a Black girl in the South and New York during the Civil Rights era.
Best for readers who:
- Enjoy poetry
- Prefer shorter chapters
- Like thoughtful, reflective stories
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Synopsis: Omar Mohamed tells the story of growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing Somalia.
Best for readers who:
- Love graphic novels
- Want an emotional but hopeful story
- Enjoy learning about life in other parts of the world
The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan SonnenblickSynopsis: Jordan Sonnenblick shares humorous stories from his childhood, including embarrassing moments, family adventures, school mishaps, and the experiences that helped shape him into a writer. Through each story, he reflects on growing up and learning from mistakes.Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Funny true stories
- School and family adventures
- Relatable middle school experiences
- Books that make you laugh
On Grade Level: These are excellent fits for the average rising sixth grader.
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
Synopsis: Rex shares his experiences growing up in poverty while trying to fit in at school and hide his family's financial struggles.
Best for readers who:
- Enjoy realistic stories
- Like honest, emotional writing
- Want to understand different life experiences
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Synopsis: Malala tells the story of standing up for girls' education in Pakistan and surviving an attack by extremists.
Best for readers who:
- Enjoy true stories about courage
- Like learning about world events
- Are interested in activism and leadership
Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
Synopsis: The true story of the youngest person saved by Oskar Schindler during the Holocaust.
Best for readers who:
- Enjoy history
- Are ready for serious topics
- Want an inspiring survival story
Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang
Synopsis: Ji-li's life changes dramatically during China's Cultural Revolution as she struggles between loyalty to her family and pressure from the government.
Best for readers who:
- Like history
- Enjoy stories about difficult choices
- Want to understand another culture
The Passport Project by Kellie McIntyre
Synopsis: When two sisters leave middle school behind for a five-month journey around the world, they experience new cultures, unexpected challenges, and unforgettable adventures. Through their travels across four continents, they discover that some of life's most important lessons happen outside the classroom.
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Travel and adventure/Learning about different cultures
- Family stories/Humorous true stories
Discovering Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Synopsis: In this young readers’ adaptation of The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore reflects on his childhood, family, education, and the choices that helped shape his future. Growing up in a challenging environment, Wes faced obstacles and difficult decisions, but with the support of family members, mentors, and teachers, he found a path toward success. Through personal stories and honest reflection, he explores how opportunity, responsibility, and community can influence a person's life.
Recommended for readers who:
- Enjoy memoirs that are honest, relatable, and inspiring
- Like stories about overcoming challenges and finding purpose
- Are interested in themes of identity, resilience, and personal growth
- Enjoy books such as Free Lunch, I Will Always Write Back, or I Am Malala
- Want a thought-provoking memoir that encourages readers to consider how choices and circumstances shape our lives
Synopsis: What begins as a simple school pen-pal assignment turns into a life-changing friendship. Caitlin, a middle school student in Pennsylvania, starts exchanging letters with Martin, a boy living in Zimbabwe. As their friendship grows, Caitlin learns about the challenges Martin faces, including poverty and limited access to education. Through years of letters, their connection helps both of them better understand the world, and ultimately changes the course of Martin’s life.
Recommended for readers who:
- Enjoy true stories about friendship and perseverance
- Are curious about different cultures and life experiences
- Like memoirs that feel hopeful and inspiring
- Enjoy books such as I Am Malala, The Other Wes Moore, or Red Scarf Girl
- Want a powerful story that shows how one small act can make a big difference in someone’s life
Questions to Answer in your Summer Journal:
How does the author change over the course of the memoir?
Identify an important challenge, experience, or relationship that influences this change. What does the author learn about themselves by the end of the book?
How do the settings in the memoir impact the author's thoughts, choices, or actions?
Consider both physical settings (where the author lives, goes to school, travels, etc.) and social settings (family, culture, community, historical events).
What is one important theme the author develops throughout the memoir?
State the theme as a life lesson or message, then explain how the author's experiences help readers understand that theme.
Choice Books (3 or more). Read: Three books of your choice. Please select books that you have not read before. It can be any book-- fiction, nonfiction, biography, graphic novel, etc.
Here are some resources when picking books: After you finish each book, write two response journal entries for each book.
Here are some resources when picking books: After you finish each book, write two response journal entries for each book.
- Entry #1 – When you are about half-way finished with the book, provide a reflection. What is the book about? (Make sure you include the main character and the setting.) Who is the narrator? What is the conflict? What do you think is going to happen?
- Entry #2 – After you have finished with the book, provide a reflection. What did you like most about the book? What was your favorite “quotation” from the book? Would you recommend the book to a friend? (Why/why not?)
Optional Entries (Complete as many of these as you would like)
Students are encouraged to try some of these journal prompts, ideas from the Summer Ideas blog, or to use the rest of the journal to pursue other projects of interest. Be sure to click on the hyperlink in each task to see the specific reflection questions to inspire your answers. The reflection questions are a guide to help format your answers-- you may address other questions that interest you instead or as well.
