6th graders are a curious and knowledgeable lot. Whatever they read at this age, stay with them for long. The non-fiction books for 11 year-olds need to be challenging and stimulating enough for the inquisitive young brains. This is also the time to dig deeper and read real tales about making a difference.
Good Nonfiction Books for 6th Graders (11 Year-Olds)
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Here are the 25 Best Non fiction reads to keep your 11 Year-Olds glued to books.
Table of contents
Inspiring People – Biographies
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
This book features 50 notable women who contributed to science from ancient times to today’s world. It is a compilation of few well-known and some lesser-known figures. A highly recommended and hugely inspiring book for children in grade 6 and above.
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
Based on a true story, this popular nonfiction book narrates the life of two young children and the hardships they face. Set in 25 years apart in Sudan, it narrates the plight of a refugee child in search of his family walking days on end, and a girl walking long distances for basic necessities like water. This moving tale is a lesson on hardship, survival. An interesting read for children in grade 6 and above.
Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents
This fun nonfiction narrates the childhood stories of the presidents of America – how they grew up navigating real-world problems like an ordinary child. The incidents are hilarious and added with beautiful drawings, make this book an interesting read. It is also quite inspirational knowing how these ordinary kids grew up to be extraordinary.
Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy
This one is a popular historical nonfiction book for middle grader. It is the real story of how young Emma disguises herself and participates in the Civil war. In times she became a super spy. Nobody ever found out that Emma is a girl in a boy’s disguise. IT is a tale of courage and making a difference.
Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge
Read the daring escape of Ona Judge, a slave in the household of George and Martha Washington, one of USA’s founding families. Ona was born into a slave family and eventually worked as a slave for the Washingtons. When it was decided that she would be given as a wedding gift for their granddaughter, Ona escaped to New Hampshire. This one is an engaging story of courage, giving readers a peek into the American history.
We are Artists: Women who Made their Mark on the World
This chapter book includes the inspiring stories of fifteen women artists who made a lasting impact on art and the world through their lives and work. All these trailblazers created monumental artwork of painting, sculpting, illustrations, designs, crafts, and more, often fighting against many gender-biased odds.
Nonfiction Books – World Events
Bomb
Your child would learn how the atomic bomb was first created in this Newbery Honor award-winning nonfiction book. It is an excellent overview and insight into the people involved from multiple countries, the scientific breakthroughs, the morality of the whole matter, and the spying that changed course. It is an interesting book for the current generation to learn about history.
The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue
Children would read the true tale of heroism and survival in this nonfiction book for 11 year-olds and above. On a night on February 18, 1952, two oil tankers collided and split in half during a heavy storm. It is a gripping story of how four coastguards saved the 30 men in a tiny boat, in adverse weather conditions.
Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America
Read the story of the most turbulent decade in American financial history – the Great Depression. Starting with the market crash to how it affected the general public, this book covers it all. The narrative includes real photographs, first-hand accounts, many others peek into the time.
Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America
This short nonfiction book is for today’s kids living in the digital world of fake news. One night on October 30, 1938, a huge number of Americans panicked when they heard on the radio about the alien invasion of America. It turned out to be only a play based on H. G. Wells’sWar of the Worlds.Angry listeners soon reacted. It started a series of events and a whole new discussion on fake news.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
This book encourages kids to understand and learn the personal health and global implications of the food choices one makes. The narrative is smart, to the point – supported by plenty of graphs, facts, pictures. It is time for a change in our food habits, and it starts with us. This one is a good nonfiction book for kids to read.
Patient Zero: Solving the Mysteries of Deadly Epidemics
In this nonfiction chapter book, kids will read about seven deadly diseases that took more human lives than other disasters combined. Also, know about the scientists behind the scenes, who worked risking personal lives, to identify the source and first person to have contacted the disease. Their work helped to identify and control the disease. Millions owe their lives to them.
Guinness World Records: Biggest and Smallest!
Find all the biggest and smallest world records in this Guinness world record book. How tall is the tallest man in the world, how short is the shortest woman? Or what was the largest snack in the world? This book is a record of 300 such information along with pictures.
Biomes: Discover the Earth’s Ecosystems
What are biomes? Take your child on a trip to the world’s nine most terrestrial and aquatic biomes. She would learn about the distinctive climates, geologies, resources, and lives that can be found there. How do animals and plants adapt to these different environments and weather? Read about all these in this informational chapter book about the earth’s ecosystem.
Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia
This Britannica kids’ Encyclopedia covers every imaginable topic – earth, space, history, STEM. It is 424 pages of knowledge along with gorgeous illustrations, maps, photographs. This all-new Encylopedia takes children along with a journey from old time to present and even future. A new age encyclopedia for new-age kids.
Self Development
It’s Up to You, Abe Lincoln
This Abraham Lincoln biography for kids explores the biggest decisions the leader made and how they helped in his life and American history. With fun facts, historical trivia, original arts – this book is a history lovers delight. The book format is interactive, engaging and the language is funny. It is a perfect nonfiction history book for reluctant readers.
Kid Start-Up: How YOU Can Become an Entrepreneur
Celebrated entrepreneur Mark Cuban teamed up with authors Shaan Patel and Ian McCue to create a perfect entrepreneurial book for kids. It encourages kids to find ways to solve problems, launch a business and start earning. This is a motivational read for youngsters to begin thinking differently and start early.
Big Thinkers and Big Ideas: An Introduction to Eastern and Western Philosophy for Kids
This book is for future thinkers. It encourages kids to think deeply and come up with their own unique solutions to problems. A fun and engaging middle grade book to the introduction of philosophical concepts and great philosophers of all times.
Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome
Read this motivational book of child celebrity kid president- Robby Novak. Included is a list of ideas of how to be awesome, make the world a better place, and some great celebrity interviews. This 240-page book guide is worth a read.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Puberty―and Shouldn’t Be Googling
This book covers all a preteen would like to know about puberty – starting from health, sexuality, hygiene, the reason behind body change – in a fun and friendly way. Where this book really shines is – it equips the children emotionally to handle the outside world – bullying, peer pressure, social media. A must for all preteen boys.
Kid Chef Bakes
This nonfiction book is for aspiring bakers and chefs out there. Simple step-by-step recipes along with pictures, information on tools, equipment, essentials, safety – make this one an ideal beginner cookbook. Written for children till grade 6, this book will make your young one an expert chef in no time.
STEM & Nature
Insect Superpowers: 18 Real Bugs that Smash, Zap, Hypnotize, Sting, and Devour!
Know about the insect Malevolent Mimic, which can disguise itself as a harmless pink orchid only to shred unsuspecting butterflies, or the Great Glue Shooter, which can blast a smelly glue from its face. This book is a collection of 18 such insects with superpowers. Written in a comics book format, this entertaining read is perfect for reluctant middle grade readers.
Renewable Energy: Discover the Fuel of the Future With 20 Projects
This nonfiction book for 6th graders talks about how to harness solar energy and educates the reader on many other sources of sustainable energy. The many activities and questions\prompts in the book ensure that kids understand and gain in-depth knowledge on renewable energy. It is really the fuel of the future, for the future citizens of the world. written for grades 3 to 7, this book is perfect for introducing your child to the world of energy.
Genius!: The most astonishing inventions of all time
This chapter book includes scientific invention stories of the most powerful thinkers and inventors that changed history. Kids will read about Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci, Gutenberg, James Watt, the Wright brothers, and other such personalities. It has five themed sections – Pioneers, Communication, Technology, Transport, and Into Space. The narrative is entertaining with well-illustrated information.
National Geographic Kids Why?
The national geographic kids book provides answers to 1111 questions – with topics ranging from animals to ocean, to space. Bonus feature is- details covering few top ten lists, explorere profiles etc make this book a children’s favourite. A book for curious kids, perfect for grades 3 to grades 7.
100 Easy STEAM Activities
This STEM nonfiction book has easy science activities in arts, science, engineering, math. A visually attractive book with colorful pictures, and easy instructions, this book is perfect for learning and doing hands-on activities. Designed for kids from grade 2 to grade 6.
Energy: Energy Powers Our Planet
What is energy? Where does it come from? What happens when the world runs out of fossil fuel? Read all the key concepts of energy in this scientific nonfiction book for kids. The topics are explained in easy language with plenty of supporting infographics, to make them child-friendly.
Video of 6th Grade Nonfiction Books
More 6th Grade Books & Topics Kids Love
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