2011 Burlington Twp. Schools’ Summer Reading Selections

Students Entering Grade 5Consider some of the following books when making your summer reading selections…

A Week in the Woods

by Andrew Clements

This story is about a boy named Mark who moves to a new school half way through the school year. He comes from a very wealthy family, so going to a public school in New Hampshire proves to be a challenge for him.

The BFG

by Roald Dahl

During the night, Sophie, our brave heroine is snatched from her bed and whisked away to Giant Land by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant). The BFG is a little different from most giants, since he spends his life giving happy dreams to children.

Harriet the Spyby Louise Fitzhugh

Harriet is determined to become a famous author. In the meantime, she practices by following a regular spy route each day and writing down everything she sees in her secret notebook. Her life is turned upside down when her classmates find her notebook and read it aloud!

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Leigh’s parents get divorced and he lives with his mother. Mr. Henshaw is his favorite author, and Leigh writes to him and asks him lots of questions. In his letters, Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents’ divorce, being the new boy in school, and finding his own place in the world.

Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith

From eating too much chocolate, Henry breaks out in brown bumps that help him catch some hijackers and teach him a valuable lesson.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Sam is unhappy living in New York City with his family, so he runs away to the Catskill Mountains to live in the woods — all by himself. With only a few items, he intends to survive on his own. Sam learns about courage, danger, and independence during his year in the wilderness.

Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Left alone to guard the family’s wilderness home in eighteenth-century Maine, a boy finds it hard to survive until local Indians teach him their skills.

Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Gradeby Barthe DeClements

Jenny and her friends struggle through elementary school injustices while they learn to accept a new student with problems of her own.

Yolanda’s Geniusby Carol Fenner

5th grader Yolanda is smart and tough for her age. After moving from Chicago to Michigan, it becomes her mission to prove that her younger brother is not a slow learner but a musical genius.

Bull Runby Paul Fleishman

Through the alternating viewpoints of 16 characters from various walks of life, the reader gains insight into the 1st battle of the Civil War and into the nature of war itself.

The View From Saturdayby E. L. Konigsburg

Four students with their own individual stories develop a special bond and attract the attention of their teacher who chooses them to represent their class in an Academic Bowl competition.

Koko’s KittenBy Dr. Francine Patterson

Koko is a gorilla who can communicate through sign language. One day, Koko kept repeating the sign “Cat”. Later, Koko was given a pet kitten that she took care of for many years. Can a gorilla really take care of a cat?

A Writing Kind of Day: Poems for Young Poets

by Ralph Fletcher

A young writer's daily experiences and concerns are folded into poems to which many readers can relate to and be inspired to write their own.

Ella Enchantedby Gail Carson Levine

When Ella of Frell was born, she was given an unfortunate gift of obedience. She must obey any order given to her. Ella has a tough time with the princes, giants, stepsisters, and fairy godmothers while her father is gone on a trip. She is determined to break this curse that is ruining her life.

Jacob Have I Lovedby Katherine Paterson

Sara is sick and tired of her beautiful twin. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. For once in her life, Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is . . . and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Billy and his precious coonhound pups romp relentlessly through the Ozarks, trying to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Ten-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy on the run, but he's on a mission. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his famous band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression! Bud's got an idea that those posters will lead to his father. Once he decides to hit the road and find this mystery man, nothing can stop him.

You may have tangible wealth untold: Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be– I had someone who read to me.

by Strickland Gillilan

**Special thanks to our BTHS students who read the synopses, which were featured on Barnes and Noble and Amazon websites.