| Summer Reading Lists |
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SUMMER READ LISTS During the summer months, it is crucial that children continue to read daily to sustain their academic skills. Studies have indicated that students who read during the summer can actually improve their reading skills. Students entering kindergarten and grade 1 may not be able to read the selections independently. You are encouraged to read the selections to or with your child. The school year will begin with activities and discussions related to the theme of the required summer reading book. In addition to the required read, students are asked to read additional books from a choice list. The goal of the summer reading program is to foster a love of reading. When children struggle with reading, modifications should be implemented to set them up for success. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance to you. First Grade Summer Reading BooklistRequired Readings: Choose at least one. Most children will not be able to read these books independently. Please feel free to read these selections to your child. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton *Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus Leo, a young tiger, finally blooms under the anxious eyes of his parents. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it. Student Choice: Choose at least two. Fiction One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss This story-poem is about the activities of such unusual animals as the Nook, Wump, Yink, Yop, Gack, and the Zeds. Young Cam Jansen and the Library Mystery by David Adler Cam uses her photographic memory to find a shopping list that her dad lost at the library. *The Art Lesson by Tomie DePaola Having learned to be creative in drawing pictures at home, young Tommy is dismayed when he goes to school and finds the art lesson there much more regimented. Don't Forget the Bacon by Pat Hutchins A little boy goes grocery shopping for his mother and tries hard to remember her instructions. The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins Each time the doorbell rings, there are more people who have come to share Ma's wonderful cookies. *George and Martha by James Marshall Relates several episodes in the friendship of two hippoppotamuses. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss In verse, Sam-I-am tells of the virtues of green eggs and ham. Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor Describes the qualities to consider in selecting the perfect rock for play and pleasure. *A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats Peter wants to invite Amy to his birthday party but he wants it to be a surprise. *Swimmy by Leo Lionni Swimmy, a small black fish, finds a way to protect a school of small red fish from their natural enemies. *Frederick by Leo Lionni In this inspirational fable, this little mouse is an artist, a dreamer, and a good friend. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey A family of mallard ducks searches for a new home in Boston. Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber A little boy is excited at the prospect of spending the night at his friend's house but worries how he'll get along without his teddy bear. Nonfiction This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie (Kathy Jakobsen, illustrator) This well-known folk song is accompanied by a tribute from folksinger Pete Seeger, the musical notation, and a biographical scrapbook with photographs. *Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett Lost in the woods, a tired and hungry girl finds the house of the three bears where she helps herself to food and goes to sleep. Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens Hare turns his bad luck around by striking a clever deal with the rich and lazy bear down the road. The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear (Jan Brett, illustrator) After a courtship voyage of a year and a day, Owl and Pussy finally buy a ring from Piggy and are blissfully married. I am Rosa Parks by Rosa Parks Rosa Parks, the African-American woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in 1955, tells why she decided it was time to take a stand against segregation, and discusses the impact of her actions on the Civil Rights movement. Recommended Authors: *Eric Carle, *Leo Lionni, tVirginia Lee Burton, tMother Goose, tMargaret Wise Brown, tDr. Seuss, tRobert McCloskey, tBeatrix Potter, tH.A. Rey, tVera Williams, *Mem Fox, *Aliki, *Jack Pretlutsky, *David McPhail, *Charlotte Zolotow, Grace Lin, *Tomie DePaola, *Rosemary Wells, *Jan Brett Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework - Appendix A author -t, Appendix B author - * Second Grade Summer Reading Booklist Required Readings: Choose at least one. Some children may not be able to read these books independently. If this is the case we encourage you to read the books to or with your child. Level 1: *Henry and Mudge: the First Book by Cynthia Rylant Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge. Level 2: *Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel This book contains five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends--Frog and Toad. Level 3: *The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant The relatives come to visit from Virginia and everyone has a wonderful time. Student Choice: Choose at least two. FictionLevel 1: Bone Mysteries (series includes: Bones and the Dog Gone Mystery; Bones and the Cupcake Mystery; and others) by David Adler Young detective Jeffery Bones is always ready to help when a mystery strikes! Three by the Sea by Edward Marshall Three friends relax after their picnic lunch by each telling his or her best story. *Nate the Great by Marjorie Sharmat Nate the Great solves the mystery of the missing picture. Level 2: *Arthur's Family Vacation by Marc Brown Arthur is unhappy about going on vacation with his family, but he shows them how to make the best of a bad situation when they end up stuck in a motel because of rain. One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes One hundred hungry ants head towards a picnic to get yummies for their tummies. They stop to change their line formation, showing different divisions of one hundred, causing them to lose both time and food in the end. Patrick's Dinosaurs by Carol Carrick When his older brother talks about dinosaurs during a visit to the zoo, Patrick is afraid, until he discovers they all died millions of years ago. Level 3: *A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams A child, her waitress mother, and her grandmother save dimes to buy a comfortable armchair after all their furniture is lost in a fire. Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema A cumulative rhyme relating how Ki-pat brought rain to the drought-stricken Kapiti Plain. Cam Jansen: the Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball by David Adler Cam uses her photographic memory to identify the person who stole a valuable autographed baseball. Dear Annie by Judith Caseley Presents a series of postcards and letters Annie sends to or receives from her loving grandfather from the time she is born. *Owl Moon by Jane Yolen On a winter's night under a full moon, a father and daughter trek into the woods to see the Great Horned Owl. Farewell to Shady Glade by Bill Peet When building machinery moves into their woodland home, the animal inhabitants of Shady Glade must search for a new place to live. Nonfiction Level 1:Night Wonders by Jane Ann Peddicord In this book, you can catch a ride on a light beam as it travels across our solar system and through our galaxy. Eliza and the Dragonfly by Susie Caldwell Rinehart Eliza, first afraid, names a dragonfly and becomes entranced by it and embraces this creature of nature. Level 2: Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll by Franklyn Branley Explains how and why a thunderstorm occurs and gives safety steps to follow when lightning is flashing. Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter Roop In the winter of 1856, a storm delays the lighthouse keeper's return to an island off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must keep the lights burning by herself. Level 3: Borreguita and the Coyote by Verna Aardema A little lamb uses her clever wiles to keep a coyote from eating her up. Good Books, Good Times! by Lee Bennet Hopkins An anthology of poems about the joys of books and reading. Includes selections by David McCord, Karla Kuskin, Myra Cohn Livingston, and Jack Prelutsky. Math-terpieces: the Art of Problem Solving by Greg Tang A series of rhymes about artists and their works introduces counting and grouping numbers, as well as such artistic styles as cubism, pointillism, and surrealism. *My Visit to the Dinosaurs by Aliki A visit to a museum of natural history provides a little boy with an introduction to the habits, characteristics, and habitats of fourteen kinds of dinosaurs. Recommended Authors: *Eric Carle, *Leo Lionni, tVirginia Lee Burton, tMother Goose, tMargaret Wise Brown, tDr. Seuss, tRobert McCloskey, tBeatrix Potter, tH.A. Rey, *Vera Williams, *Mem Fox, *Aliki, *Jack Prelutsky, *David McPhail, *Charlotte Zolotow, Grace Lin, *Tomie DePaola, *Rosemary Wells, *Jan Brett Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework - Appendix A author -t, Appendix B author - * Third Grade Summer Reading BooklistRequired Readings: Choose at least one. Level 1: Young Cam Jansen and the Missing Cookie by David Adler In this Easy-to-Read story about Cam Jansen, Cam again uses her photographic memory to solve a mystery in daily life. It's a scenario many kids will recognize. Level 2: Cam Jansen: The Cat Napping Mystery by David AdlerWhile visiting Aunt Molly at a fancy downtown hotel, Cam uses her photographic memory to help one of the guests find her stolen luggage and pet cat, and to catch the thief. Level 3: Boxcar Children, #1 by Gertrude Chandler Warner Four orphans, two boys and two girls, set up housekeeping in an old boxcar. In this series, the Alden children investigate a series of baffling mysteries that lead them into some intriguing situations. Student Choice: Choose at least two. Level 1: Magic Tree House (series includes: Afternoon on the Amazon; Buffalo before breakfast; Civil War on Sunday; and many others) by Mary Pope Osborne This series is an interesting mix of fiction & nonfiction. Each book takes the characters (siblings Jack & Annie) to another place and/or time to get a clue to solve a mystery or challenge. American Girl (series includes Meet Molly, An American Girl; Meet Felicity, An American Girl and others) Young readers can compare the lives of Addy, Felicity, Josefina, Kaya, Kirsten. Kit, Molly, and Samantha share their dreams and the dilemmas of growing up. The heroines were strong and independent girls and some things in their lives were very different from today. But others--like families, friendships, and feelings--haven't changed at all. These are the traditions that the American Girls share. Sleds on Boston Common by Louise Borden Henry complains to the royal governor, General Gage, after his plan to sled down the steep hill at Boston Common is thwarted by the masses of British troops camped there. *Katie's Trunk by Ann Turner Katie, whose family is not sympathetic to the rebel soldiers during the American Revolution, hides under the clothes in her mother's wedding trunk when they invade her home. Jigsaw Jones (series includes The Case of the Stinky Science Project; The Case of the Christmas Snowman and others) by James Preller Puzzle-crazy Jigsaw Jones searches for clues and pieces them together to solve the mystery. Line-art brings additional humor and warmth to these chapter-books. *Nate the Great (series includes Nate the Great and the Monster Mess; Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag and others) by Margerie Sharmat After a generous breakfast of pancakes, Nate, the boy detective, plunges into each new and baffling case, solves the mystery, and tracks down the culprits. *A is for Amber Easy Readers (series includes Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown; What a Trip, Amber Brown and others) by Paul Danziger These books portray very real situations, fears, and apprehensions that new readers encounter with lots of spunk and spirit from Amber, the main character. Every Time I Climb a Tree by David McCord *Dog Days: Rhymes Around the Year by Jack Prelutsky *Books by Gail Gibbons - Includes: Apples, Bats, Cats, Deadline: From News to Newspaper, Dogs, Ducks, Fill it up: all about service stations, Fire! Fire!, Grizzly bears, How a House is built, Knights in shining armor, Marshes & swamps, My Baseball book, and many othersLevel 2: Dragonling by Jackie French Koller Darek is filled with envy when his older brother returns from his dragonquest with the claws of a Great Blue, the largest and fiercest of all dragons. Then Darek discovers a dragonling in the pouch of its dead mother. There's only one thing to do: he must get Zantor, a hungry little dragon with wobbly legs, back to his own kind. When Mr. Jefferson Came to Philadelphia by Ann Turner In Philadelphia in 1776, Ned meets Thomas Jefferson, who is staying in his mother's inn while debating the topic of freedom in Congress and writing the Declaration of Independence. On the Mayflower: Voyage of a Ship's Apprentice and a Passenger Girl by Kate Waters A twelve-year-old apprentice and a seven-year-old passenger experience the first voyage of the Mayflower. Cam Jansen Adventure (series includes Cam Jansen and the First day of School Mystery and others) by David Adler Fifth grader Cam Jansen uses her phenomenal photographic memory to solve mysteries. Stories are in "Beginning Chapter-Book" format. Ike and Mem stories (series includes: The Weeping Willow; Tornado Watches; and others) by Patrick Jennings Features the adventures of Ike, his sister Mem, and his best friend Buzzy. Judy Moody (series includes Judy Moody; Judy Moody gets famous; Judy Moody predicts the future and others) by Megan McDonaldEntertaining stories portray challenges and pleasures from a kid's perspective and believable episodes from third gradeThe Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes Wanda faces mockery at school both because of her funny last name and her claim that she has 100 dresses even though she wears the same one to school each day. Works by Myra Cohn Livingston: Celebrations, Christmas Poems, Festivals, Flights of Fancy and other Poems, If You Ever Meet a Whale: Poems, Keep on Singing: a Ballad of Marion Anderson, Lots of Limericks *Books by Jack Prelutsky: The Dragons are Singing Tonight, The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders, If Not for the Cat: Haiku, The New Kid on the Block: Poems, Pizza the Size of the Sun, Scranimals. Books by Greg Tang - The Best of Times, The Grapes of Math, Math Appeal, Math-terpieces Books by Jerry Pallotta - The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Fractions Book, The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Multiplication Book, Hershey's Milk Chocolate Weights and Measures, Twizzlers Shapes and Pattern Level 3: Hank the Cowdog (series includes: Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog; Murder in the Middle Pasture; and others) by John R. Erickson Features the wild and zany adventures of Hank the Cowdog. As Head of Ranch Security, it's his job to protect the ranch from any and all danger. Can he do it? Spiderwick Chronicles (series includes: The Field Guide; The Ironwood Tree; Lucinda's Secret; and others) by Tony DiTerlizzi When the Grace children go to live at their Great Aunt Lucinda's worn Victorian house, they discover a field guide to fairies and other creatures and begin to have some very unusual experiences Our Strange New Land, Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One by Patricia Hermes Written in journal format, the story focus on young Elizabeth and the daily life of people who lived in Jamestown in 1609. Also, the characters in this series live on in future books. *Journey to the New World: Diary of Patience Whipple by Kathryn Lasky "Mayflower, 1620"--Cover. Twelve-year-old Mem presents a diary account of the trip she and her family made on the Mayflower in 1620 and their first year in the New World. The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce: Pilgrim Boy by Ann Rinaldi "Plymouth, 1620"--Cover. A fourteen-year-old indentured servant keeps a journal of his experiences on the Mayflower and during the building of Plymouth Plantation in 1620 and 1621. *Herculeah Jones (series includes Dead Letter; Death's Door; Disappearing Acts and others) by Betsy Byars The intrepid Herculeah Jones helps her mother, a private investigator, solve puzzling and frightening cases. Sports books by Matt Christopher (ex. Baseball Turnaround; Center Court Sting; Cool as Ice) Mr. Christopher has written numerous books about any sport that would interest a child *Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry These stories present the emotional ups and downs and adventures of a young girl, her family, and friends. *All About Sam by Lois Lowry The adventures of Sam, Anastasia Krupnik's younger brother, from his first day as a newborn through his mischievous times as a toddler The Many Troubles of Andy Russell (series includes: Andy and Tamika; School Troubles for Andy Russell; and others) by David Adler Andy is an endearing fourth grader who stirs up good-natured mischief without even trying. A Child's Calendar by John Updike *Falling up, Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein Recommended Authors: David Adler, tBeverly Cleary, *Joanne Cole, *Barbara Cooney, *Paula Danziger, *Jean Fritz, tRobert McCloskey, Patricia McKissack, John Peterson, *Jerry & Brian Pinkney, *Patricia Polacco, Allen Say, *Jon Scieszka, Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, *Chris Van Allsburg, Gertrude Chandler Warner. Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework - Appendix A author - t, Appendix B author - * Fourth Grade Summer Reading Booklist Realistic FictionLevel 1: *Freckle Juice by Judy Blume Andrew wants freckles so badly that he buys Sharon's freckle recipe for fifty cents. Level 2: *Frindle by Andrew Clements When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control. Level 3: Island: Shipwreck by Gordan Korman Six children try to survive on a desert island in the Pacific Ocean after a storm destroys their boat. Student Choice: Choose at least two. Level 1: Dragon Slayers Academy (series includes: Beware! It's Friday the 13th; Revenge of the Dragon Lady; Sir Lancelot, Where Are You?; The Ghost of Sir Herbert Dungeonstone; and others) by Kate McMullan When Wiglaf meets a traveling minstrel, he's told that he is going to be a hero. Delighted with this news, Wiglaf, and his pet pig, Daisy, leave home for the Dragon Slayers' Academy. These are stories of dragons and knights, full of knock, knock jokes, pig-latin, comical and gross and a great fantasy series. Secrets of Droon (series includes: Flight of the Genie; Fortress of the Treasure Queen; The Golden Wasp; and others) by Tony Abbott Eric, Julie and Neal stumble upon the magical world of Droon, populated by wizards and sorcerers, invisible cities, vanishing islands, and castles under the sea. My America (series includes: Five Smooth Stones; Our Strange New Land; and many others.) - Written in journal format by award-winning authors, the stories focus on the character and the daily life of people who lived at the time with the politics or historical events as a backdrop. Also, the characters in this series live on in future books Cam Jansen (series includes: Cam Jansen and the Barking Treasure Mystery; Cam Jansen and the Chocolate Fudge Mystery; Cam Jansen and the Ghostly Mystery; and many others) by David Adler Fifth grader Cam Jansen uses her phenomenal photographic memory to solve mysteries. Stories are in "Beginning Chapter-Book" format. The Ghost in Room 11 By Betty Ren Wright (Other appropriate books by Wright) When his family moves to a small town near Milwaukee, Matt's efforts to fit into his new fourth-grade class are complicated by his poor spelling and his encounter with the ghost of one of the school's former teachers Meg Mackintosh Mystery at Camp Creepy by Lucinda Landon While attending summer camp for the first time, Meg tries to solve the mystery of the camp's legendary ghost. The reader is challenged to interpret each clue before Meg finds the solution. Martin Bridge (series includes: Marin Bridge: Ready for Take Off and others) by Jessica Kerrin Presented in 3 long chapters with a different episode in each where Martin tackles a slice-of-life adventure. *Marvin Redpost (series includes: Marvin Redpost: A Magic Crystal; Marvin Redpost: Alone in his Teacher's House; and others) by Louis Sachar Sachar's finely tuned sense of how children think and feel make these books about Marvin and his comic misadventures entertaining. The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey Kelly is an ingenious inventor with 43 inventions to her credit and she is only in third grade. Then she meets Albert and he is determined to prove that he is the real gadget wiz. *Jake Drake Series by Andrew Clements Jake is an endearing boy who uses his head to sort out appropriate conclusions to bad situations. *Autobiographies of Tomie De Paola: Talks about selected moments of his life. 26 Fairmont Avenue, Here We All Are, On My Way, Things Will Never be the Same *Beneath a Blue Umbrella by Jack Prelutsky *It's Raining Pigs and Noodles by Jack Prelutsky Books by Greg Tang - Math Fables and Math for all Seasons Books by Jerry Pallotta - Reese's Pieces Count by Fives, Twizzlers Shapes and Patterns Level 2: The Keepers (series includes: A Wizard Named Nell; The Wizard's Apprentice; The Wizard's Scepter) by Jackie French Koller Eldearth is a land in need of a new Imperial Wizard. The forces of evil are rapidly encroaching, and the Keeper of the Light is growing too old and weak to hold them off. Witches, wizards, and humans coexist in Eldearth, although the magical folk have a higher status and better standard of living. Rowan of Rin (series includes: Rowan of Rin; Rowan and the Zebak; Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal; and others) by Emily Rodda Crackling adventure, a magical map, clever rhyming clues, and a small hero who proves braver than anyone expects, makes this fast-paced fantasy difficult to put down. Dear America (series includes: Across the wide and lonesome prairie: the Oregon Trail diary of Hattie Campbell; A journey to the New World : the diary of Remember Patience Whipple; A light in the storm : the Civil War diary of Amelia Martin; and many others) Written in a diary format, each historical novel is extensively researched from actual letters and diaries, allowing readers to experience the daily lives of girls from different times in American history. A companion series--My Name Is America--follows the adventures of boys from America's past.
My name is America (series includes: The Journal of James Edmond Pease: a Civil War Union Soldier; The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins: a World War II Soldier; The Journal of William Thomas Emerson : a Revolutionary War Patriot; and many others) A ground-breaking, adventure-based historical fiction series written in journal format and designed to appeal to boy readers. A companion series--Dear America--invites readers into the personal worlds of girls from different times in American history. Nothing but Trouble by Betty Ren Wright Vannie Kirkland and her dog, Muffy, are dropped off at an elderly aunt's house while her parents look for work in California. *Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech This story of a friendship, told around food and delivered in small, digestible bites, is a tasty treat. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater Mr. Popper starts out with one penguin in his house, but before he knows it there are twelve. Works by Myra Cohn Livingston: Celebrations, Christmas Poems, Festivals, Flights of Fancy and other Poems, If You Ever Meet a Whale: Poems, Keep on Singing: a Ballad of Marion Anderson, Lots of Limericks Poems by James Stevenson: Candy Corn:poems, Corn chowder: poems, Corn-fed: poems, Cornflakes: poems, Just around the corner: poems *Books by Aliki- Includes books about dinosaurs, gods and goddesses, manners and feelings and many other topics Level 3: Baseball Card Adventures (series includes: Babe and Me; Shoeless Joe and Me; and others) by Dan Gutman Perfect for fans of time-travel, fantasy, and baseball! Full of sports trivia and historical documents. Joe Stoshack travels back in time to meet baseball greats! Chronicles of Narnia (series includes: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Magician's Nephew; The Silver Chair; and others) by C.S. Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by C. S. Lewis. They present the adventures of children who play crucial roles in the unfolding history of the realm of Narnia where some animals talk, magic is rampant, and good is fighting evil. *Merlin (series includes: Hobby; Passenger; Merlin) by Jane Yolen Worthy introduction to Arthurian legend for the younger reader. Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Dorothy, a young girl who is transported by a cyclone to the magical world of Oz where she makes wonderful friends, battles evil, and must face down a wizard to return home to Kansas. My Name is America (series includes: Journal of Jesse Smoke: a Cherokee Boy and others) - A groundbreaking, adventure-based series written in journal format. Invites the reader into the personal worlds of boys from different times in American history. Royal Diaries (series) - Intriguing and vivid portraits of young princesses from different countries and cultural backgrounds written by noted fiction writers include black-and-white drawings, photos, and historical notes about each era. Some examples include: Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth 1, Anastasia, etc. Hardy Boys (series includes: Hunting for Hidden Gold; The Secret of the Old Mill; The Tower Treasure; and many more) by Franklin Dixon This is an adventure series that has catered to the dreams of each generation of readers. Throughout its history, the stories have changed steadily with the times and are ready to be introduced to a new generation. Nancy Drew (series includes: The Bungalow Mystery; The Clue in the Diary; The Hidden Staircase; and many more) by Carolyn Keene Nancy Drew has been a landmark heroine for girls since her Depression-era debut in 1930. Clever, resourceful and independent, Nancy uses courage and common sense to solve adventurous mysteries. Sebastian Barth (series includes: Dew Drop Dead , Eat your poison, What Eric Knew)- by James Howe Graduates of the Bunnicula books can move on to the adventures of young sleuth Sebastian Barth. In the first of these mysteries Sebastian investigates the strange accidents that befall a noted actress. *Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech Thirteen-year-old Mary Lou grows up considerably during the summer while learning about romance, homesickness, death, and her cousin's search for his biological father. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell Two boys set out to prove that worms can make a delicious meal. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Lord In 1947, a Chinese child comes to Brooklyn where she becomes Americanized at school, in her apartment building, and by her love for baseball. *The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman A bratty prince and his whipping boy have many adventures when they inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws. Biographies by Diane Stanley: Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens: The Man who had Great Expectations, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne These verses were written for Christopher Robin include nonsense, whimsy and rhythmic surprises. Poetry for Young People (series); Carl Sandburg, Emily Dickinson, tRobert Lewis Stevenson, tRobert Frost, tHenry Wadsworth Longfellow Books by Jerry Pallotta - Twizzlers Percentages Book Books by Cindy Neuschwander - Sir Cumference Math Adventure books Recommended Authors for Grade Four *Judy Blume, *Eve Bunting, Lynne Cherry, *Andrew Clements, * Jon Scieszka, tE.B. White, Matt Christopher, Roald Dahl, Ann McGovern, *Lois Lowry, Eleanor Coerr, *Mildred Taylor, *Ann Turner, tLaura Ingalls Wilder, *Patricia Polacco. Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework - Appendix A author -t, Appendix B author - * Fifth Grade Summer Reading BooklistList A: Required Readings: Choose at least one. (Book summaries are paraphrased from the back of each book). Level 1:How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell Because of a bet, Billy is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. A hilarious story that will revolt and delight bumptious, unreachable intermediate-grade boys and any other less particular mortals that read or listen to it.... Level 2:Coyote Autumn by Bill Wallace Brad has always wanted a dog, so when he catches the little coyote, he decides to keep it. He couldn't have a dog when his family lived in a Chicago apartment, but now that they've moved to rural Oklahoma anything seems possible. Even rescuing an orphaned coyote pup...and keeping it a secret from his parents. With his friend Nolan's help, Brad is determined to tame Scooter, train him, play with him, and hide him in an old dog pen behind the barn. It almost works... Level 3:Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight - and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers, who drinks too much and has a gun - and abuses his dogs. So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret become too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger. How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his? List B: Student Choice: Choose a book from the following list to read in addition to the List A book. Level 1: Stuart Little by E.B. White. Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure. Amber Brown is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are best friends. They sit next to each other in school, help each other with fractions and spelling, and always stick up for one another. But when Justin finds out that he is moving away, everything begins to change. Freckle Juice by Judy Blume More than anything in the world, Andrew wants freckles. His classmate Nicky has freckles -- they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. (Once sitting behind him in class, Andrew counted eighty-six of them, and that was just a start! Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary Teenagers think they've got it rough. Try being a misunderstood 6-year-old! Ramona Quimby is bound and determined to be brave as she weathers first grade, her mom's return to work, and sleeping in the spooky dark all alone. But nothing seems to go her way this year. From a fierce dog on the sidewalk to a copycat in her classroom, Ramona has her hands full. Charlie's Raven by Jean Craighead George Charlie's beloved grandfather is ill, and Charlie will do anything to save him. He brings home Blue Sky, a lively baby raven, because his Native American friends claim the intelligent birds have powerful medicine. Grandfather, a naturalist, is intrigued, and urges Charlie to keep a nature journal about Blue Sky. But caring for--and protecting--a wild creature is a huge responsibility. Charlie's observations teach him wondrous things about ravens--and some surprising lessons about humans. A Mouse Called Wolf by Dick King-Smith Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse ("Wolf," for short) has a big name for such a little mouse. But the name fits. His favorite pastime is listening to Mrs. Honeybee, the lady of the house, play the piano. If only he could sing along to the music! One day, Wolf decides to try -- and to his surprise, out of his mouth comes a perfect melody. How Many Days to America? by Eve Bunting After the police come, a family is forced to flee their Caribbean island and set sail for America in a small fishing boat. Level 2: Pleasing the Ghost by Sharon Creech. The ghost of his uncle visits nine-year-old Dennis, whose uncle and father died within a year of one another, and together they settle some unfinished business. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louise Sacher. Wayside School is supposed to be built with thirty classrooms all next to each other in a row. Instead, the classrooms were stacked one on top of the other....thirty stories tall! That's probably the reason all kinds of wacky things happen at Wayside School...especially on the thirtieth floor. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. The plot involves the orphan Jemmy, who must take the whippings for the royal heir, Prince Brat. Jemmy plans to flee this arrangement until Prince Brat beats him to it, and takes Jemmy along. Jemmy then hears he's charged with the Prince's abduction as this Newbery Medal winning book turns toward a surprising close. The School Story by Andrew Clements. Natalie's best friend, Zoe, is sure that novel Natalie's written is good enough to be published. But how can a twelve-year-old girl publish a book? Natalie's mother is an editor for a big children's publisher, but Natalie doesn't want to ask for any favor. Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The first two stories about Laura Ingalls and her family. The Ingalls family travels by covered wagon across the Midwest in the 1870's first settling in Wisconsin then moving to Kansas. Journey by Patricia MacLachian. Journey is eleven the summer his mother leaves him and his sister, Cat, with their grandparents. He is sad and angry, and spends the summer looking for the clues that will explain why she left. The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park. I can't believe it! How can my parents move me clear across the country, away from all my friends, and expect me to act like it's some big adventure? Especially when the new house is on a street called Chester Pewe. Still, I could handle it if it weren't for Molly Vera Thompson. As the new kid in town, I can't afford to be seen hanging around with a six-year old, even if she is my next-door neighbor. Of course, when you're lonely, you'll be friends with anyone...almost. Level 3: Shiloh Season by Ohyllis Reynolds Naylor. (Part 2 of the Shiloh trilogy) Marty Preston's troubles should be over. He's spent two weeks doing the hardest, meanest jobs Judd Travers could think of so he can call Judd's abused beagle, Shiloh, his own. And he's working for Doc Murphy to pay the bill for fixing up Shiloh after a German shepherd attacked him. But with hunting season approaching, Judd has started drinking again, and Judd Travers and a gun are a dangerous combination. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. The Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing any older. Beetles Lightly Toasted by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Andy's entering the fifth-grade essay contest stirs his imagination to creative heights as he competes with his know-it-all cousin by making recipes with some unusual food sources and testing them on unaware friends and family. The Landry News: A Brand New School Story by Andrew Clements. A fifth-grader starts a newspaper with an editorial that prompts her burnt-out classroom teacher to really begin teaching again, but he is later threatened with disciplinary action as a result. Baby by Patricia MacLachlan. Twelve-year-old Larkin returns home one day to discover a baby sitting in a basket in the driveway of her family's house. The only clue to the baby's appearance is a note from the child's mother. "This is Sophie," the note reads. "She is almost a year old and she is good...I will come back for her one day. I love her." The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White. Louise is scared when his father tells him that he's different from other swans. He doesn't want to be different. Even though he can't talk, Louis knows he could learn to read and write, if only he could go to school. Dogsong by Gary Paulsen. Inspired by the Eskimo shaman Oogruk, Russel Suskitt takes a god team and sled to escape the modern ways of his village and find his own "song" of himself. He travels across ice floes, tundra, and mountains, haunted along the way by a dream of a long-ago self whose adventures parallel his own. Reality melds with the dream when, to save himself and a pregnant Eskimo girl he has rescued, he must kill a polar bear in the ancient way learned in a dream.
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