Sixth grade is a time of major growth and self-realization. 6th grade is a year of significant transition for students as they use the skills they have previously learned and apply them to more complex and independent learning in deeper and more rigorous ways. During the six grade, students improve their ability to make inferences, recognize underlying themes, and gain an understanding of figurative language. ​The texts studied in class need to reflect experiences of the students themselves and unchartered systemic racial ideas. Students can not grow into better leaders if they don't even know or understand institutional and systemic racism in their own communities and work on their biases and ways to prevent it. The novels below provide a clear window into this world and require educational intervention with class study guides and discussions.