6th Grade Science SOL 6.

8b

Line of inquiry: Should humans fight to protect the future of our watersheds?

Strauss, R. (2007). One well: The story of water on

Earth. Kids Can Press.
Reading Level: 3rd - 7th grade
Synopsis: This beautiful 32-page picture book
gets the reader thinking about how all water on
Earth is shared in some way, and that where there
is water, there is life.
Relevance: It reinforces the ideas that humans
have an effect on water & our environment,
sometimes negative. Each person has the power
to conserve and protect water.

Clendenan, M. (2022). Fresh air, clean water:

Our right to a healthy environment. Orca Book
Publishers.
Reading Level: 4th - 8th grade
Synopsis: A 112-page picture book with modern
illustrations, this book gives examples of the
importance of water and how we use it every
day. It then juxtaposes these images with drinking
water, air, and soil that is hazardous and polluted.
Relevance: The book poses to the reader, what
can you as an individual do about these
problems, and do you have a right to make
change?

Lindstrom, C. (2020) We are water

protectors. Roaring Brook Press.
Reading Level: 3 - 7 years
Synopsis: A 40-page Native American call to
others that our water and environment is in
danger and in need of protecting. It focuses
on pipelines, but other causes/effects of
6th Grade Science SOL 6.8b

water harm are included. The illustrations are phenomenal and a lot of the
“message” of the book is in the pictures.
Relevance: The book calls for the reader to stand up and be active against
water corruption.

Walters, E. (2014). Hope springs. Tundra Books.

Reading Level: 6 - 9 years
Synopsis: In this 32-page book, villagers struggle to
get water after a drought. An orphan has an idea to
help everyone in the village.
Relevance: Not only does this story focus on how
one person can create change, but it has other
underlying themes of compassion and generosity,
which are qualities a person might need to have if
faced with the task of protecting the future of our
water & environment.

Hooper, M. (1998). A drop in my drink: The

story of water on our planet. Viking Juvenile.
Reading Level: 7 - 11 years
Synopsis: This picture book enlightens the
reader on where water originates. It follows a
single drop of water from billions of years ago
with Earth’s formation all the way through
today.
Relevance: Provides specifics about the
water cycle and other facts about water &
the environment.

Holling, H. (1990). Pagoo. Clarion Books.

Reading Level: 3 - 9 years
Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated 88-page picture book
follows a hermit crab from birth to full grown. It shows the
environment in his tide pool, teeming with life all around
him.
6th Grade Science SOL 6.8b

Relevance: Shows the importance of water from a perspective that is more

based on beauty and life than just human consumption and need.

Kerley, B. (2006). A cool drink of water. National

Geographic Kids.
Reading Level: 2 - 9 years
Synopsis: This 32-page children’s book uses real
pictures, not illustrations, to convey the importance
of water via images of how water is used all over
the world. Also shows how people use and
conserve water around the world.
Relevance: Shows that the people of the world are
all united by the selfsame need for water; perhaps
we could be united by a common need to protect
it too.

Park, L. S. (2011). A long walk to water. Clarion

Books.
Reading Level: 10 - 12 years
Synopsis: This 128-page chapter book is a true story
about the struggles of youngsters in Sudan who learn,
grow, and find perseverance and courage in the
face of inaccessible water.
Relevance: Shows children that children can make a
difference; the kids in the story overcome many
obstacles to improve theirs and others’ lives.

Shusterman, N. (2018). Dry. Simon & Schuster Books

for Young Readers.
Reading Level: 7th - 9th grade
Synopsis: This slightly longer chapter book shares a
fictional story of a future (nearly) without water. It follows a
young teen who has to make tough decisions in the face
of a catastrophic drought.
6th Grade Science SOL 6.8b

Relevance: Paints a clear and drastic picture of what the dangerous effects
could be if our water continues to be harmed with no intervention.

Kamkwamba, W. (2015). The boy who harnessed the

wind. Rocky Pond Books.
Reading Level: 5th - 6th grade
Synopsis: This 304-page chapter book tells the true story of
a young inventor from Malawi who is determined to solve
the problem of a major and devastating drought in his
village.
Relevance: This book gives ideas of empowerment and
perseverance for an individual to create change and
solve problems related to the environment.

Essential Question: Is fighting really necessary? If so, when and how is it

effective?

Yousafzai, M. (2017). Malala’s magic pencil.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Reading Level: 3 - 9 years
Synopsis: A 48-page picture book written by
Malala and inspired by her childhood, this book
shows her growth from an imaginative
change-dreamer to a real life change-maker.
Relevance: Inspires and encourages the reader
to work hard in order to make important change
in the world.

Harris, M. (2020). Kamala and Maya’s big idea. Nancy

Paulsen Books. Balzer & Bray.
Reading Level: 4 - 8 years
Synopsis: This 32-page picture book is inspired by the
true story of sisters who persevere in the face of
6th Grade Science SOL 6.8b

disappointment. They come together to help transform their neighborhood.

Relevance: Shows readers that they can put the work into their community to
effect change.

Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo cows that type.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Reading Level: Pre-K - 3rd grade
Synopsis: This 32-page picture book is an interesting
tale of cows that type letters to their farmer making
demands of things they would like, as they go on strike,
Relevance: Amusing as it may be, the message in this
one can be pretty strong. The characters in the story
see a need and realize its importance to themselves,
then take action to fight for what they would like to
have/happen.