nonfiction articles for 6th grade

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Books for Kids and Grown Ups

The Best 6th Grade Nonfiction Books

If you’re searching for engaging non-fiction books for 6th graders, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve curated a list of 20 of our favorite nonfiction titles covering various topics, including history, science, and sports. 

Because my 6th-grade son or I (or often both of us) have read each book on this list, I’ve provided brief, personal reviews of each book. You’ll not only be able to get a comprehensive list but also gain insight into why each title is so great. I’m so happy to be here at Reading Middle Grade, and I hope you enjoy this list of nonfiction books for 6th graders!

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20 Best Nonfiction Books for 6th Graders

Here are 20 of the best nonfiction books for 6th graders:

For Advanced Readers

If your 6th grader reads more mature content or is willing to tackle longer nonfiction books, here are some titles to consider.

Published September 10, 2019

Free Lunch chronicles author Rex Ogle’s experiences during his sixth-grade year:  feeling constantly hungry, being uncomfortable in ill-fitting second-hand clothing, and dealing with dissolving friendships. The memoir’s title comes from Rex’s dependence on the free lunch program at school and the shame he feels when he has to explain to the cashier that he’s on the program. While some of the language and content might be more suitable for mature 6th-grade readers, this memoir provides a wealth of teachable moments and discussion. Free Lunch is heart-wrenching, beautifully written, and a significant contribution to children’s literature.

Quiet Power: The Secret Strength of Introverted Kids

Published May 2, 2017

Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking was a New York Times Best Seller and focused on how dramatically society undervalues introverted adults. Quiet Power is geared specifically for older tweens and teens and focuses on the attributes of being an introvert. I especially appreciate how Cain concludes each section with actionable tips to help young introverts thrive, pointing out that the world has space for introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts (those who fall in the middle of the introvert-extrovert spectrum) and that having friends who are different from you can enrich your life.

For Reluctant Readers

Try these short, high-interest titles for 6th graders who aren’t usually interested in reading or are intimidated by longer books.

You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airmen

Published July 4, 2017

You Can Fly tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, from the early days into World War II combat, through second-person poems that address the reader directly. This perspective personalizes the story, making the reader feel like they are part of the action. The author weaves in poems about Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, and Lena Horne–highlighting the simultaneous fight against racism in the United States. Reluctant readers will appreciate how much is conveyed through these short poems, which read more like a novel in verse–they build upon one another and are best enjoyed in sequential order.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Published: July 3, 2012

While How They Croaked might make some adults cringe, this book will fascinate middle schoolers, especially reluctant readers. It provides all the gruesome details of the deaths of 19 very famous people, including King Tut, Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Edgar Allen Poe, Ludwig Van Beethoven, George Washington, and Albert Einstein.  Each story is only about 5-7 pages long, which will seem manageable for many reluctant readers. This book isn’t all shock factor and includes lots of lesser-known facts about these 19 historical figures. It’s such a creative (and disgusting) way to share history. We listened to the audio version, and L.J. Ganser’s narration made our whole family laugh out loud.

Lebron James vs. Michael Jordan: Who Would Win?

Published: August 1, 2023

Michael Jordan and LeBron James have both won numerous championships, awards, and Olympic medals. But who is the best basketball player of all time? The latest in the All-Star Smackdown series hooks even the most reluctant readers with tons of statistics and photographs of the two stars. Being from Chicago, I went in a bit biased toward Michael Jordan, but was so impressed with the new facts I learned about both players and their achievements. After my son shared this with his friends, it spurred lively debate about which player was truly the basketball G.O.A.T. The book includes a glossary to help define more difficult terms, and the “Learn More” section encourages readers to continue researching and reading about these players.

Graphic Nonfiction 

Graphic novels are highly visual, which makes them especially appealing to many young readers. The combination of words and pictures in nonfiction graphic novels can help students develop a deeper understanding of the topic or event.

Yummy: A History of Desserts

Published: November 30, 2021

Guided by three food sprites named Peri, Fee, and Fada, this graphic novel explores the fascinating history of desserts, answering questions like “Who put the first chocolate chip in cookie dough?” This book manages to be both lighthearted and informative, exploring the history and cultural influences on desserts and the science behind their creations. Along the way, the sprites share yummy-looking recipes for readers to try at home. Elliott’s illustrations are fun, unique, and vibrant, and the book’s content and complexity are perfect for 6th graders. We initially checked this one out from the library but liked it so much I purchased a copy for our home and have bought some as birthday gifts!

When Stars Are Scattered

Published: April 14, 2020

Omar and Hassan (who is non-verbal) live in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing war in Somalia. Despite unimaginable living conditions and constant disappointments, they find a loving community of people. However, when Omar is offered the opportunity to attend school, he’s torn. If he goes to school, who will protect Hassan? The interdependent text and illustrations in the graphic novel form allow the reader to experience Omar’s reality- a reality unfathomable to most people, regardless of age. An afterword and authors’ notes (with photographs!) offer further closure to Omar’s story and connect readers to the real people behind the characters.

Nonfiction Rescue Stories

6th graders who love adventure stories will marvel at the heroism displayed in these real-life rescues.

The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue

Published: December 8, 2015

On the night of February 18, 1952, during a brutal storm, two oil tankers just off the shore of Cape Cod were torn in half. The only hope for the sailors on board was a group of four coast guardsmen who braved 70-foot waves in a tiny lifeboat to attempt a rescue. This riveting young reader’s adaptation tells the incredible story of how these four men overcame impossible conditions to rescue over 30 stranded sailors. This is a great pick for 6th graders drawn to adventure stories or who like to read about military rescues.

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team

Published: October 13, 2020

In June 2018, twelve youth soccer players and their coach entered a cave for a few hours of exploration and fun. Suddenly, the cave began to flood, blocking their exit. News of the team’s plight prompted a complex rescue mission that lasted seventeen days and involved rescue workers from across the globe. Using firsthand interviews, photographs, diagrams, cultural information, and details of the region’s landscape, Soontornvat crafts a clear, compelling narrative that highlights both the efforts of the above-ground operation and the mental strength of the boys and their coach.

Science Nonfiction for 6th Graders

These books are perfect for inquisitive students who want to dive deeper into STEM.

Science Comics: The Periodic Table of Elements

Published: March 14, 2023

The entire Science Comics series is gorgeously illustrated, both inside and out – young readers quickly grab these off the library shelves at my children’s school. This latest volume explains the periodic table through the dream adventures of Mel, a girl who must overcome her fear of making mistakes as she travels through each elemental group. Such a fun, clever, and engaging introduction to the periodic table for middle grade readers!  My 11-year-old son loves all the Science Comics, but he really tore through this one.

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

Published: July 2, 2019

Katherine Johnson was a NASA mathematician who played an essential role in several missions during the Space Race, including calculating the trajectory Apollo 11 needed to get to the moon and back. Katherine’s accomplishments alone are incredibly impressive, but that she succeeded in a world rife with racism and sexism is what makes this autobiography truly inspiring. Her narrative style is conversational and familiar, and she breaks down complex ideas and events in a way that young readers will understand. We loved listening to this one on audiobook, as award-winning narrator Heather Alicia Simms draws readers deeper into Katherine’s remarkable life.

Prescriptive Nonfiction (Guides)

No doubt about it, 6th graders want more independence! These guides will help them navigate friendships, personal growth, and more.

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Middle School

Published: May 27, 2014

This is an excellent resource to help girls feel more confident when starting middle school. The guide is packed with tips, quizzes, and first-hand accounts from girls who were just as worried about starting middle school. The content is perfect for 6th graders–or any middle school student– teaching girls how to make new friends, handle more homework, and build healthy routines.

365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts

Published: August 30, 2016

In the popular middle-grade novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio, we meet an unforgettable English teacher named Mr. Browne, who is passionate about precepts—which he explains are “principles to live by.” This companion book compiles 365 precepts from writers, artists, philosophers, and entertainers from different points in history. Several of the most touching quotes were created and sent to Palacio by children. Although Mr. Browne is a fictional character, each of the precepts is an encouraging quote from a real person. With its overarching message of kindness, this is a “wonder”ful book that deserves a place on any sixth grader’s bedside table.

Big Life Journal for Tweens and Teens

Published: November 5, 2018

Big Life Journal is a research-based, guided journal that encourages tweens and teens to develop a growth mindset to improve resiliency and increase happiness. This journal has been a huge help for my son as he navigates the start of middle school. It allows him to work independently to learn how to set goals and understand how positive self-talk can help him through challenges and setbacks. The Big Life Journal is beautifully designed and thoughtfully organized, with writing prompts, interest maps, personal stories, and quizzes that make it way more interesting and impactful than a traditional journal.

Historical Nonfiction Books for 6th Graders

Who said history was boring? These exciting historical nonfiction books for 6th graders bring the past to life.

Five Epic Disasters (I Survived True Stories #1)

Published: September 30, 2013

The I Survived series is a popular historical fiction series depicting fictional children living through actual historical events. I Survived True Stories compiles third-person accounts from real kids who survived five historical disasters, including the Children’s Blizzard of 1888, the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, and the Japanese tsunami in 2011. Readers will especially like the illustrations and historical photos in each story. My 6th grader found the factual experiences in I Survived True Stories just as interesting as their historical fiction counterparts.

Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win

Published: July 18, 2017

This inspiring book tells the stories of female athletes who excelled in their sport and often broke barriers, changing the world by paving the way for gender equality. The book is organized by birthdate, beginning with Madge Syers, a figure skater born in 1881, and ending with Simone Biles, born in 1997. Each page-long biography is accompanied by beautifully drawn portraits of the athlete. Women in Sports also highlights the inequalities between men’s and women’s media coverage and pay using engaging visuals. This is a great book for any 6th grader–regardless of gender–who loves history, sports, or inspirational stories.

Suspenseful Narrative Nonfiction

Our suspenseful narrative picks include thrilling accounts of important historical events.

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer

Published February 1, 2009

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer is a thrilling narrative non-fiction that engages young readers from the first page. Swanson gives a detailed account of Lincoln’s assassination by John Wilkes Booth and the subsequent manhunt for the killer and his accomplices. Alternating third-person perspectives, haunting period photographs, diagrams, and newspaper clippings help the reader understand the hours and days surrounding this tragedy on a deeper, more immediate level.

Bomb: The Race to Build–and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon

Published: September 4, 2012

Author Steve Shenkein tells the story of the “plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius” that created the atomic bomb. Shenkien masterfully creates scenes from primary and secondary sources that make Bomb read like a suspenseful thriller, not a nonfiction text. He introduces readers to the various plots and many characters involved in top-secret operations: scientists, politicians, military leaders, spies, informants, and civilians. This lens enables the reader to see how the slightest difference in a person’s actions could have altered the course of history. Sheinkin covers a great deal in just under 300 pages, and the narrative voice seamlessly moves between people and events. This book is truly remarkable. (Also available as a graphic novel adaptation ).

Informational Nonfiction Books for 6th Graders

Informational nonfiction, sometimes called browsable nonfiction, is perfect for kids who want information in small, easy-to-read sections. Browsable nonfiction is also great for reluctant readers–they can read bits at a time without losing comprehension.

Steven Biesty’s Incredible Cross-Sections of Everything

Published: May 26, 2020

How can a steel wire no thicker than a pencil hold up the longest bridge in the world? Who reassembles dinosaur skeletons? How do cacao beans become a chocolate bar? Incredible Cross-Sections of Everything answers these questions and countless more! Cross-section drawings, accompanied by fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) facts, reveal the inner workings of extraordinary machines, buildings, and processes. Although this series was initially published over 25 years ago, the books have been updated for a new generation of readers to enjoy. These are the perfect non-fiction books for kids who love to see the way things work.

National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More!

Published: October 23, 2012

National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia is a 300-page reference book that features over 2,500 animal species, a perfect addition to any young animal lover’s library. The information in this encyclopedia is incredibly well-organized, featuring a mix of fact boxes, range maps, diagrams, and vibrant photographs. “Did You Know” boxes provide fun animal facts, and color-coded tabs on every page help readers navigate the book. Kids can also explore topics like animal conservation, animal life cycles, adaptations, and habitats. A glossary explains some of the more challenging vocabulary. Both entertaining and educational, this is one of the most-read books in our home.

6th graders are at an amazing age to appreciate many different types of nonfiction literature. This diverse selection of nonfiction books –some old, some new—will keep your 6th graders occupied for hours!

Which of these books do you have in your library? Which ones have you read, and what did I miss?

More Nonfiction and 6th Grade Books

• The best middle grade nonfiction books
• Great books for 6th graders
• Realistic fiction for 6th graders

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About Katie Wickliff

Katie is a writer and educator who fell in love with books after reading Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars. She shares her lifelong passion for children’s literature through her newsletter, The Magic Book House . Katie is the mother of two little bookworms, ages 9 and 11, who still allow her to read to them every evening. She’s keeping her fingers crossed that this habit (somehow) lasts forever.

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Katie Wickliff

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6th Grade Reading Comprehension

This page has a collection of 6th grade level reading comprehension articles, stories, and poems. Each passage includes a set of questions and a vocabulary activity.

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This page will link you to reading comprehension passage for other grades (1 through 6), as well as animal articles, readers' theater scripts, and more.

Reading comprehension passages and questions for fourth graders.

Reading comprehension passages and questions for fifth graders.

Here you'll find over 50 articles on a variety of animals.

We have literacy units that can be used for teaching many popular novels. Titles include Phantom Tollbooth , Holes , Bridge to Terabithia , Cricket in Times Square , and Tuck Everlasting .

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