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ENGLISH READING DIPLOMA GRADES 5-6

This HelMet English Reading Diploma is for 5-6 grade students.

When you have read ten (10) books, you get a diploma. You can select books from this list or select books that are interesting to you that are not found on this list. All the books you read can be used for the Reading Diploma. You can also ask a librarian for ideas.

You can also read audiobooks and e-books.

Table of contents

Tasks • Novels • Fantasy and scifi • THRILLER AND HORROR • Comics and poems • Nonfiction

Tasks

Novels

Playing the cards you're dealt Johnson Varian

Playing the cards you're dealt

Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin has made it to double digits! Which means he's finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. Ant only has one thing on his mind: how he'll measure up to his father's expectations at the card table.

Little Women Alcott Louisa May

Little Women

Come laugh and cry with the March family. Meg - the sweet-tempered one. Jo - the smart one. Beth - the shy one. Amy - the sassy one.

The One and Only Ivan Applegate Katherine

The One and Only Ivan

A beautifully written tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A winning blend of humour and poignancy that will appeal to fans of Michael Morpurgo.

The war that saved my life Bradley Kimberly Brubaker

The war that saved my life

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

King and the Dragonflies Callender Kacen

King and the Dragonflies

In a small but turbulent Louisiana town, one boy's grief takes him beyond the bayous of his backyard, to learn that there is no right way to be yourself.

See you in the cosmos Cheng Jack

See you in the cosmos

11-year-old Alex loves space and rockets, and attempts to launch his golden iPod into space.

The Sky Over Rebecca Fox Matthew

The Sky Over Rebecca

When mysterious footprints appear in the Stockholm snow, ten-year-old Kara must discover where they've come from - and who they belong to.

Melissa Gino Alex

Melissa

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

Rick Gino Alex

Rick

Rick's never questioned much. He's gone along with his best friend Jeff even when Jeff's acted like a bully and a jerk. Now Rick's gotten to middle school, and new doors are opening. One of them leads to the school's Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities congregate.

Julia and the shark Hargrave Kiran Millwood

Julia and the shark

Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer - her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother's obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure.

The magic misfits series Harris Neil Patrick

The magic misfits series

These books aren't just books. They are treasure troves of secrets and ciphers and codes and even tricks. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll discover more than just a story - you'll learn how to make your own magic!

Super Ghost James Greg

Super Ghost

It's just another day at the office for world-famous superhero Doctor Extraordinary as he battles his arch-nemesis Captain Chaos in yet another epic showdown.

The amazing Edie Eckhart Jones Rosie

The amazing Edie Eckhart

My name is Edie Eckhart and I'm eleven years old. I'm a little bit different. I have a disability called cerebral palsy, so I talk slowly and fall over a lot. It's never really bothered me because I've never known anything else.

Hello universe Kelly Erin Entrada

Hello universe

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways.

Song for a whale Kelly Lynne

Song for a whale

12-year-old Iris has never let her deafness slow her down. A whiz at fixing electronics, she has always felt at home in the world of wires and vacuum tubes. School, on the other hand, isn't so simple.

Diary of a wimpy kid series Kinney Jeff

Diary of a wimpy kid series

Boys don’t keep diaries—or do they?

Both can be true Machias Jules

Both can be true

Sometimes Ash feels like an outcast. Some days Ash is undoubtedly girl, but other times, 100 percent guy. Daniel lacks control too—of his emotions. When Daniel’s big heart leads him to rescue a dog he’s relieved to find Ash willing to help. The two bond over their four-legged secret.

Black Boy Joy Mbalia Kwame

Black Boy Joy

Black boy joy is… Picking out a fresh first-day-of-school outfit. Saving the universe in an epic intergalactic race. Finding your voice—and your rhymes—during tough times. Flying on your skateboard like nobody’s watching.

Boy Giant Morpurgo Michael

Boy Giant

War has forced Omar and his mother to leave their home in Afghanistan and venture across the sea to Europe. When their boat sinks, and Omar finds himself alone, with no hope of rescue, it seems as if his story has come to an end.

A Monster Calls Ness Patrick

A Monster Calls

Conor has the same dream every night, ever since his mother first fell ill, ever since she started the treatments that don't quite seem to be working. Bu tonight is different. Tonight, when he wakes, there's a visitor at his window.

No Fixed Address Nielsen Susin

No Fixed Address

Felix Knutsson is nearly thirteen, lives with his mother and pet gerbil Horatio, and is brilliant at memorising facts and trivia. So far, pretty normal. But Felix and his mom Astrid have a secret: they are living in a van.

When the war came home Parr Lesley

When the war came home

The First World War has ended, but it hasn’t gone away. When Natty has to move to a new village, she meets two young soldiers who are still battling the effects of war. Huw can’t forget the terrible things he’s seen, but Johnny doesn’t even remember who he is.

Timmy Failure series Pastis Stephan

Timmy Failure series

Timmy Failure is the founder of the 'best' detective agency in town – Total Failure Inc. He may only be 11, but he already has plans for world domination.

Ana on the edge Sass A.J.

Ana on the edge

Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating champion, is not a frilly dress kind of kid. So, when Ana learns that next season's program will be princess themed, doubt forms fast.

Ellen Outside the Lines Sass A.J.

Ellen Outside the Lines

Ellen Katz feels most comfortable when her life is well planned out and people fit neatly into her predefined categories.

Can you see me? Scott Libby

Can you see me?

Tally isn't ashamed of being autistic - even if it complicates life sometimes, it's part of who she is. But this is her first year at Kingswood Academy, and her best friend, Layla, is the only one who knows.

How to save the world with a chicken and an egg Shevah Emma

How to save the world with a chicken and an egg

This story isn't just about birds. It's about secrets, the seaside, how seagulls can trick worms into thinking it's raining. It's about mucus, fudge and dogs needing a wide variety of sniffs. But if you want the simple version, it's about what happened here last summer.

Minecraft: The Elementia Chronicles Wolfe Sean Fay

Minecraft: The Elementia Chronicles

An exciting, unofficial Minecraft-fan adventure series inspired by the bestselling game. Dark forces are at work on the Elementia server, and when new players Stan, Kat and Charlie arrive on the scene, they quickly find themselves in peril.

Talking to Alaska Woltz Anna

Talking to Alaska

It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies. Parker's had a terrible summer and just wants to be invisible, while Sven is desperate to make an impression and be known as anything other than "that boy with epilepsy."

Front Desk Yang Kelly

Front Desk

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. Number 3: She wants to be a writer.

Fantasy and scifi

Rick Riordan presents series

Rick Riordan presents series

These book series focuses on mythology in the modern age. Each title is by a different author.

Amari and the Night brothers Alston B.B.

Amari and the Night brothers

Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal.

The Vanquishers Bayron Kalynn

The Vanquishers

Boog Wilsin and her friends have grown up idolizing a group of heroic vampire hunters who wiped out the last horde of the undead decades ago. Nowadays, most people no longer take precautions against vampires but Boog's parents still follow the old rules. Then a friend goes missing.

The last kids on Earth Braillier Max

The last kids on Earth

Jack Sullivan has survived the zombie apocalypse... by hiding out in his treehouse.

Wilder than midnight Burnell Cerrie

Wilder than midnight

Silverthorne is a place of secrets. A forest of twisting paths and tangled thorns. A castle with locked towers and whispers of tragedy. A village trapped between terrors known and unknown. But something is stirring in the leaves...

The Marvellers Clayton Dhonielle

The Marvellers

Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, where Marvellers from all around the world come together to practice their cultural arts.

Artemis Fowl series Colfer Eoin

Artemis Fowl series

Twelve-year-old villain, Artemis Fowl, is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. His bold and daring plan is to hold a leprechaun to ransom. But hes taking on more than he bargained for when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short...

Gregor the Overlander Collins Suzanne

Gregor the Overlander

When eleven-year-old Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats and giant cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans.

The Jamie Drake equation Edge Christopher

The Jamie Drake equation

Jamie Drake’s dad is an astronaut and is orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station. When his dad’s mission goes wrong, can Jamie prove that he’s a hero too?

The Wizard in my Shed Farnaby Simon

The Wizard in my Shed

When Rose bumps into Merdyn and discovers what he is, she quickly realises that he could be just what she needs. Rose agrees to help Merdyn navigate the confusing ways of the modern world if Merdyn gives her a spell to fix her family in return.

Inkworld Series Funke Cornelia

Inkworld Series

Timeless tales about books, about imagination, about life. Dare to read them aloud.

Bravelands Series Hunter Erin

Bravelands Series

Heed the call of the wild with this action-packed animal fantasy series from the #1 nationally bestselling author of Warriors. Enter the Bravelands…and discover the Erin Hunter series you’ve been waiting for.

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency Lapinski L.D.

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

When 12-year-old Flick Hudson accidentally ends up in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, she uncovers a fantastic secret: there are hundreds of other worlds just steps away from ours. All you have to do to visit them is jump into the right suitcase.

Dragon pearl series Lee Yoon Ha

Dragon pearl series

Thirteen-year-old Min comes from a long line of fox spirits. But you'd never know it by looking at her. To keep the family safe, Min's mother insists that none of them use any fox-magic, such as Charm or shape-shifting. They must appear human at all times.

The ice dragon Martin George R. R.

The ice dragon

From ancient times the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one.

The Silver Boy Ohlsson Kristina

The Silver Boy

When Aladdin’s parents discover food is being stolen from their restaurant, he and his friends decide to investigate…

The Barren Grounds Robertson David A.

The Barren Grounds

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, until they find a secret place.

Sisterland Simukka Salla

Sisterland

Alice sees a dragonfly in the middle of winter, follows it and falls down to a magical world.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief Steadman A.F.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. But just as Skandar’s dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined.

Nevermoor series Townsend Jessica

Nevermoor series

Enter the wundrous world of Nevermoor!

THRILLER AND HORROR

Rules for Vampires Foulkes Alex

Rules for Vampires

Straighten your cape and sharpen your claws, being a vampire is harder than it looks!

Ophie's ghosts  Ireland Justina

Ophie's ghosts

Discovering her ability to see ghosts when a cruel act ends her father's life and forces her to move in with relatives in 1920s Pittsburgh, young Ophelia forges a helpful bond with a spirit whose own life ended suddenly and unjustly.

The in-between K.S. Ansari Rebecca

The in-between

Ever since Cooper's father left their family three years ago, Cooper has become distant from his friends and annoyed by his little sister, Jess. So when Cooper learns of an unsolved mystery his sister has discovered online, he welcomes the distraction.

Dread Wood Killick Jennifer

Dread Wood

When classmates Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a Saturday, they think things can't get much worse. But they're wrong.

The Highland Falcon thief Leonard M.G.

The Highland Falcon thief

Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are enjoying the final journey of the Highland Falcon, Britain's most famous steam train. But when a precious jewel goes missing, Harrison and his new friend Lenny find themselves at the centre of the investigation.

Ronja the robber's daughter Lindgren Astrid

Ronja the robber's daughter

Ronja, the daughter of the robber chieftain, roams the forest but she must beware the grey dwarves and wild harpies. When she befriends Birk, the son of her father's greatest enemy, it causes uproar. Ronia and Birk can no longer be friendsn unless they do something drastic.

Agent Zaiba Investigates series Sami Annabelle

Agent Zaiba Investigates series

Determined to be the world’s greatest detective, Zaiba is always on the lookout for a crime to solve!

Comics and poems

Explore poetry from a diverse selection of contemporary and historical poets, covering a broad range of topics - from personal subjects like emotions and family, to the wonders of the natural environment.

Stargazing Jen Wang

Stargazing

Moon is unlike anyone Christine has ever known. These unlikely friends are soon best friends!

Nightlights Alvarez Lorena

Nightlights

Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in little Sandy's bedroom. She catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep...

Hicotea Alvarez Lorena

Hicotea

On her school field trip, Sandy discovers a beautiful turtle shell that transports her to another dimension.

Life doesn't frighten me Angelou Maya

Life doesn't frighten me

Life doesn't frighten me at all!

New kid Craft Jerry

New kid

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics.

Class act Craft Jerry

Class act

A companion book to New Kid! This time, it’s Jordan’s friend Drew who takes center stage in another laugh-out-loud funny, powerful, and important story about being one of the few kids of color in a prestigious private school.

Island book Dahm Evan

Island book

Sola embarks on a journey to find the mysterious Monster.

New and collected poems for children Duffy Carol Ann

New and collected poems for children

Among the enchanting voices to be heard are those of the Loch Ness Monster's husband, the oldest girl in the world and a herd of cows on a shopping trip to Manchester.

Starfish Fipps Lisa

Starfish

Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants.

Alone Freeman Megan E.

Alone

When twelve-year-old Maddie hatches a scheme for a secret sleepover with her two best friends, she ends up waking up to a nightmare. She's alone - left behind in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned.

Twins Johnson Varian

Twins

Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. But just before the girls start sixth grade, Maureen and Francine are growing apart and there's nothing Maureen can do to stop it. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good?

Measuring Up LaMotte Lily

Measuring Up

Twelve-year-old Cici has just moved from Taiwan to Seattle, and the only thing she wants more than to fit in at her new school is to celebrate her grandmother's seventieth birthday together.

Wingbearer Liu Marjorie

Wingbearer

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now.

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel Marsden Mariah

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel

With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.

Siri the Viking series Nyström Patric

Siri the Viking series

Siri the Viking is the perfect book for kids who want to learn more about Vikings. The comic combines adventure and history in a humorous story with colorful characters and fascinating settings.

Big Nate series Peirce Lincoln

Big Nate series

Aspiring cartoonist Nate Wright is eleven years old, four-and-a-half feet tall, and the all-time record holder for detentions in school history.

On the move Rosen Michael

On the move

A personal and uniquely affecting collection of poems about migration and displacement.

When you know what I know Solter Sonja K.

When you know what I know

One day after school, on the couch in the basement, Tori's uncle did something bad. Afterward, Tori tells her mom. Even though telling was a brave thing to do, her mom still doesn't believe her at first. Her grandma still takes his side.

Wings of Fire Sutherland Tui T.

Wings of Fire

Clay is one of the dragonets chosen to fulfill a prophecy and end the war between the dragon tribes.

The Baby-Sitters Club Series Telgemeier Raina

The Baby-Sitters Club Series

Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are best friends and founding members of The Baby-sitters Club. Whatever comes up - cranky toddlers, huge dogs, scary neighbors, prank calls - you can count on them to save the day.

Ghosts Telgemeier Raina

Ghosts

A story about family, friendship and hope. Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret.

Before the ever after Woodson Jacqueline

Before the ever after

For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone's hero. But lately life at ZJ's house is anything but charming.

Nonfiction

This artful survey of the elements combines science, history, trivia, humor, and endless fascination for science enthusiasts of every age.

Girl who drew butterflies

Girl who drew butterflies

Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them?

Fourteen wolves Barr Catherine

Fourteen wolves

In fairy tales, the wolf's cry makes people shudder. They've been hunted, captured. But the wolf carries a wild magic - a magic that once restored a barren land.

How to create animation in 10 easy lessons Bishop-Stephens William

How to create animation in 10 easy lessons

Do you want to know how to make your own animations? If you do, this book is for you!

The book of heroes Boyer Crispin

The book of heroes

Discover superheroes, rebels, world leaders and sport legends true stories.

Super science Challoner Jack

Super science

Put your safety goggles on and enter the fascinating world of science with this visually stunning encyclopedia.

Philosophy : a visual encyclopedia Fletcher Robert

Philosophy : a visual encyclopedia

Is your mind a part of your body? What are space and time? Could a machine ever think? Investigate compelling questions that examine the world and our place in it.

Politics for Beginners Frith Alex

Politics for Beginners

What is an election? Who gets to be Prime Minister or President? What does immigration mean?

We rise, we resist, we raise our voices Hudson Wade and Cheryl

We rise, we resist, we raise our voices

Fifty of the foremost diverse children's authors and illustrators--including Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and Kwame Alexander--share answers to the question, "In this divisive world, what shall we tell our children?"

Women in science Ignotofsky Rachel

Women in science

There have been women that haven't cared of the opposition. They have done science and changed the world.

The Usborne outdoor book James Alice

The Usborne outdoor book

Find out what you can do outdoors! It's not just walking around...

The who, what, why of zoology : the incredible science of the animal kingdom Jules Howard

The who, what, why of zoology : the incredible science of the animal kingdom

What's your favourite animal fact? Have you ever wondered who discovered it in the first place? Chances are, it was a zoologist! Join the scientists uncovering the secrets of the animal kingdom in this funny, fact-packed introduction to zoology.

irate queens : dauntless women who dared to rule the high seas Lewis Leigh

irate queens : dauntless women who dared to rule the high seas

Move over Blackbeard and Captain Kidd! Did you know that the most powerful pirate who ever lived was a woman? Read all about her and more formidable females in this edgy, one-of-a-kind collection that combines poetry, fascinating facts, and pictures.

Rescue Long David

Rescue

How far would you go to save a life?

Create your own secret language Peterson David J.

Create your own secret language

Protect your diary from snooping siblings. Share your secrets with a BFF. Guard your texts from unwanted eyes. Create the lingua franca for your own fantastical secret world!

Atlas of everything Richards Jon

Atlas of everything

50 maps of the world to show you for example how many films a produced everywhere in the world.

The complete book of fashion history Sedlackova Jana

The complete book of fashion history

Travel through time and learn about the most popular fashion trends in history, from the animal furs of prehistory to the golden crowns of ancient Egypt.

How to Make a Better World Swift Keilly

How to Make a Better World

If you are a kid with big dreams and a passion for what is right, you're a world-changer in the making. There's a lot that can be changed by just one person, if you know what to do.

This book will (help) cool the climate Thomas Isabel

This book will (help) cool the climate

50 ways to cut pollution, speak up, and protect our planet!

Computer Coding Python Projects for Kids Vordeman Carol

Computer Coding Python Projects for Kids

All you need to master Python - one of the world's most popular computer programming languages. Python is easier than other professional coding languages yet no less powerful.

Antarctica : the melting continent Young Karen Romano

Antarctica : the melting continent

Antarctica – vast, cold and mysterious. This frozen continent is full of incredible stories. Here you can discover incredible wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes and adventurous scientists and explorers.