recommended summer reading 2017 pre k entering … · recommended summer reading 2017 pre k...
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RECOMMENDED SUMMER READING 2017
Pre K Entering Kindergarten
Adding with Ants (Animal Math) - Tracey Steffora ©2014 It's time for some
math "ant-ics"! Illustrated with cut-out photos on striking, colorful backgrounds to
retain reluctant mathematician's interest, this book looks at adding with ants! Age
Range: 4 - 6 Years Grade Level: Preschool - 1
Ava’s Poppy - Marcus Pfister ©2012 Ava is delighted when she discovers a red
poppy in the field of her house. She sits with the flower in the sunny days of
summer and shields it in the rain until one day the petals start to drop and the
beautiful flower fades. But when spring comes again, Ava is surprised anew. Age
Range: 3 - 8 Years Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Blue Chicken – Deborah Freedman ©2011 In this deceptively simple picture book,
author-illustrator Deborah Freedman has created an irresistible character that
springs to life and wreaks havoc in a farmyard with a pot of blue paint. Age Range:
3 - 5 Years Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
Centipede's 100 Shoes - Tony Ross ©2004 But when are one hundred shoes too
many shoes? And what do you do with too many shoes? Why, you give them away!
Find out who gets them in this delightfully silly story about a centipede with sore
feet. Age Range: 4 - 7 Years Grade Level: Preschool - 1
The Cow Loves Cookies Rhyming - Karma Wilson ©2010 While all the other
animals on the farm enjoy eating their regular food, the cow chooses to eat the one
thing that she loves best. Age Range: 3 - 7 Years Grade Level: Preschool - 1
Duck and Goose at the Beach - Tad Hills ©2014 Beloved Duck and Goose star in
yet another adventure that cements their friendship. Goose is cautious and less
adventuresome than Duck. "Let's go away," says Duck. "Sounds like a fine way to
twist your ankle," replies Goose. Yet because they are friends, they both hike to
the beach. Age Range: 3 – 7 Years Grade Level: Preschool – 2
The Duckling Gets a Cookie - Mo Willems ©2012 The Pigeon is back (hooray!)
and this time the drama centers on an adorable little duckling who gets a cookie
just by asking--politely. Just by asking?! Politely reminds the duckling, but the
Pigeon is already off on a hilarious rant about all the things he asks for--many of
which readers of the earlier Pigeon books will remember--ending with the all-too-
familiar refrain, “It’s not fair.” Age Range: 2 – 6 Years Grade Level: Preschool –
Kindergarten
The Gift Box – Rohan Henry ©2012 One day Ollie’s mother tells him that he is “a
beautiful gift.” Delighted with this new “identity,” Ollie invites his friend Benjamin
to guess what it is. When poor Benjamin cannot guess, despite many hints, Ollie
refuses to play with him. Age Range: 2 – 6 Grade Level: Preschool - Kinder
Glasswings a Butterflys Story - Elisa Kelven ©2013 Claire, a glasswing butterfly
whose transparent wings reflect her lush home, finds herself lost in the city after
being separated from her family. She doesn’t know how they will ever see her, but
she finds new city friends, a pigeon, an ant, and a ladybug, who search for the
flowers Claire needs to live. Age Range: 3 - 5 Years Grade Level: Kinder – 1
Out of the Ballpark - Alex Rodriguez © 2012 features the familiar story of a
young boy who achieves his ballpark dreams through hard work and determination.
His team is in the playoffs, but he is having a terrible game. The Caribes win,
nonetheless, and they're on their way to the championship. Alex, however, wants to
improve, and practices constantly with a friend (even going so far as to get up at
5:00 a.m. to practice before school). Age Range: 4 – 8 Years Grade Level:
Preschool – Kindergarten
Pete the Cat: Scuba-Cat © 2016 Pete the Cat is going scuba diving! Before he
hits the water, Captain Joe tells him about all the sea creatures he can encounter,
and Pete is super excited to see a seahorse. Age Range: 4 - 8 Years Grade:
Preschool – 1
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole - Mac Barnett © 2014 Sam and Dave, who are either
identical twin boys or friends who look astonishingly alike and share a sartorial
sensibility, set out to dig a hole in the hopes of finding "something spectacular."
With shovels in hand, the boys (with an eager terrier looking on) begin to tunnel
into the soil, but they just can't seem to find anything of interest. What works
spectacularly is the clever play between words and pictures. Age Range: 4 – 8
Years Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature - Joyce Sidman © 2011 What makes the tiny
snail shell so beautiful? Why does that shape occur in nature over and over again—
in rushing rivers, in a flower bud, even inside your ear? Age Range: 4 – 8 Years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
This Is Not My Hat - Jon Klassen © 2012 A little fish thinks he can get away
with stealing a hat. Caldecott Medal Book Age Range: 4 - 8 Years Grade Level:
Preschool – 3
Waiting – Kevin Henkes ©2015 What are you waiting for? An owl, a puppy, a bear,
a rabbit, and a pig—all toys arranged on a child’s windowsill—wait for marvelous
things to happen. Caldecott Honor Book and Geisel Honor Book Age Range: 4 – 8
Years Grade: Preschool -- 1
Where are My Books – Debbie Ridpath Ohi ©2015 Spencer loves to read. He
reads a book every night. But one morning his favorite book goes missing, and in its
place is a tulip. Spencer loves, but he can’t find his book. Age Range: 4 - 8 Years
Grade: Preschool - 1
Name____________________________________ Date_____________
I liked the book _____________________________________________
I liked the book because_______________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
This is an illustration of my favorite part of the story!
Summer Reading List
Kindergarten Enter First Grade
Are You My Mother- P.D. Eastman
Pancakes for Breakfast- Tomie DePaola
The Song of Francis- Tomie DePaola
Tony’s Bread: An Italian Folktale- Tomie DePaola
Starfish- Edith Thacher Hurd
Little Owl’s Night- Divya Srinivasan
The Year at Maple Hill Farm- Alice & Martin Prvensen
Little Bear- Elsa Holmelund Minarik
Every Which Way to Pray- Joyce Meyer
Don’t Forget, Bless Our Troops- Jill Biden
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus- Mo Willems
Emma’s Turtle- Eve Bunting
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? – Carol McCloud
Lots of Ladybugs! Counting by Fives- Michael Dahl
Mortimer’s First Garden- Karma Wilson
My Friend Rabbit- Eric Rohmann
One Voice, Please- Sam McBratney
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?- Robin Page and Steve Jenkins
The Day the Crayons Quit- Drew Daywalt
**Any book by Doreen Cronin**
Name ______________________________________ Date ____________
Book Report
Title ________________________________________________________
Author ______________________________________________________
This book is about ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
You should read this book because _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
My favorite part of this book is ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
This is a picture of my favorite part.
O u r L a d y o f M e r c y C a t h o l i c S c h o o l R e c o m m e n d e d S u m m e r R e a d i n g L i s t
F i r s t G r a d e e n t e r i n g S e c o n d G r a d e
A book report form follows the recommended summer reading list. Students entering second grade need to complete 1-3 book reports after reading books from the following list.
The second grade team would like your child's best effort put forth, and therefore would like no more than three book reports completed. Happy Readingl
Title and Author Summary
Chameleon's Colors -Chisato Tashiro ©2011
T i r e d o f a l w a y s c h a n g i n g c o l o r s . C h a m e l e o n i s s u r p r i s e d t o d i s c o v e r t h a t o t h e r j u n g l e a n i m a l s a r e b o r e d w i t h t h e i r a p p e a r a n c e , a n d h e s e t s o u t t o m a k e e a c h w h a t e v e r c o l o r a n d p a t t e r n h e o r s h e w i s h e s
Reptile P a r k -Terry J . Jennings ©2010
A l l the W o r l d - illus. by Maria Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon ©2009
A B a l l for Daisy -Chris Raschka ©2011
B l a c k Out-John Rocco ©2011
Buy M y H a t s -Dave Horowitz ©2010
God F o u n d Us You -Lisa Tawn Bergren ©2009
Good N i g h t Angels -Melody Carlson ©2011
G r a n d f a t h e r ' s Journey -Allen Say ©1993
E x p l o r e s a r e p t i l e p a r k a n d d e s c r i b e s d i f f e r e n t r e p t i l e s f r o m a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .
F r a z e e ' s s m a l l v i g n e t t e s a n d s w e e p i n g d o u b l e - p a g e s p r e a d s i n v i t e r e a d e r s t o s h a r e a j o y f u l d a y w i t h a d i v e r s e , m u l t i g e n e r a t i o n a l c o m m u n i t y . Caldecott Honor Book
W o r d l e s s b o o k a b o u t D a i s y , a f e i s t y , b l a c k - e a r e d d o g p l a y s w i t h a b e l o v e d r e d b a l l i n d o o r s a n d o u t , b e f o r e a c l i m a c t i c e n c o u n t e r w i t h a n o t h e r d o g i n t h e p a r k . Caldecott Medal Book
O n e h o t s u m m e r n i g h t i n t h e c i t y , a l l t h e p o w e r g o e s o u t . W h a t ' s a f a m i l y t o d o ? Caldecott Honor Book
F r a n k a n d C a r l h a v e p l e n t y o f h a t s t o s e l l , a n d t h e i r b o o t h i s o p e n f o r b u s i n e s s . . . b u t n o o n e i s b u y i n g ! Story can be used for a math lesson.
W h e n L i t t l e F o x a s k s h i s m o t h e r t o t e l l h i s f a v o r i t e s t o r y . M a m a F o x r e c o u n t s t h e d a y h e a r r i v e d i n h e r l i f e , f r o m G o d t o h e r a r m s .
G o o d n i g h t , r u b b e r d u c k i e . T h a n k y o u f o r t h e s c r u b . G o o d n i g h t t o t h e b u b b l e s , s l i d i n g d o w n t h e t u b . A s a l i t t l e b o y s a y s g o o d n i g h t t o t h e t h i n g s a n d p e o p l e i n h i s w o r l d , h e r e m e m b e r s t o o f f e r a t h a n k f u l n i g h t t i m e p r a y e r t o G o d .
M r . S a y e x p l o r e s f a m i l i a r t h e m e s o f c u l t u r a l c o n n e c t i o n a n d d i s c o n n e c t i o n . H e f o c u s e s o n h i s m o t h e r M a s a k o , o r M a y , as s h e p r e f e r s t o b e c a l l e d , w h o , a f t e r g r a d u a t i n g f r o m h i g h s c h o o l i n C a l i f o r n i a , u n w i l l i n g l y m o v e s w i t h h e r p a r e n t s t o t h e i r n a t i v e J a p a n . Caldecott Medal Book
H o m e r the L i b r a r y C a t -Reeve Lindbergh ©2011
T h e L i o n & the Mouse -Jerry Pinkney ©2009
T h e L i t t l e Red Pen -Jannett Stevens ©2011
A Sick Day for Amos M c G e e -Philip C . Stead ©2010
A c a t ' s q u i e t l i f e i s d i s r u p t e d o n e d a y w h e n a w i n d o w i s b r o k e n , a n d a f t e r s e v e r a l f r u s t r a t i n g a t t e m p t s t o find a s u i t a b l e p l a c e , h e w i n d s u p i n t h e p e r f e c t s p o t .
T h e s c r e e c h o f a n o w l , t h e s q u e a k o f a m o u s e a n d t h e r o a r o f a l i o n t r a n s p o r t r e a d e r s t o t h e S e r e n g e t i p l a i n s f o r t h i s v i r t u a l l y w o r d l e s s r e t e l l i n g o f A e s o p ' s c l a s s i c f a b l e . Caldecott Medal Book
W h e n a l i t t l e r e d p e n a c c i d e n t a l l y f a l l s i n t o t h e w a s t e b a s k e t w h i l e t r y i n g t o c o r r e c t p a p e r s a l l b y h e r s e l f , t h e o t h e r c l a s s r o o m s u p p l i e s m u s t c o o p e r a t e t o r e s c u e h e r .
F r i e n d s c o m e i n a l l s o r t s o f s h a p e s a n d s i z e s . I n A m o s M c G e e ' s c a s e , a l l s o r t s o f s p e c i e s , t o o ! E v e r y d a y h e s p e n d s a l i t t l e b i t o f t i m e w i t h e a c h o f h i s f r i e n d s a t t h e z o o . Caldecott Medal Book
Things I L e a r n e d i n Second A y o u n g b o y s h a r e s a l l o f t h e t h i n g s h e l e a r n e d a n d h o w h e c h a n g e d G r a d e - Amy Schwartz ©2004 i n s e c o n d g r a d e , w h a t h e s t i l l w o n d e r s a b o u t , a n d w h a t h e h o p e s t o
a c c o m p l i s h w h e n h e i s i n t h i r d g r a d e .
Summer Reading List 2017
Second Grade Entering Third Grade
Below is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recommended summer reading choices. We know that your child may want you to read some of these books to him/her. Reading to a child is special, and is highly recommended. Students entering third grade are not required to do a book report, but it is important that they practice their reading skills as well as listen to adults read.
Ah, Music! – Aliki @2005 Surveys the history and components of music, concentrating on Western musical traditions. Age Range: 6 - 8 Years Grade Level: 1 - 3
Almost Zero – Nikki Grimes ©2010 Dyamonde really wants red high-top sneakers. Too bad they're so expensive! A classmate tells her it's her mom's job to give her what she needs, but when Dyamonde tries that argument, her mom teaches her a lesson by literally only giving her what she needs. Age Range: 7 – 9 Years Grade Level: 2 – 4
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man - Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade - Melissa Sweet ©2011 Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these "upside-down puppets"? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long- lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade. Robert F. Sibert Medal and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Age Range: 6 - 8 Years Grade Level: 1 - 3
The Case of the Lost Boy – Dori Hillestad Butler ©2010 "My name is King. I am a dog. I am also a detective." King has a very big mystery to solve. His family is missing, and he's been put in the P-O-UN-D. Why doesn't his beloved human (Kayla) come to get him? When King is adopted by Connor and his mom, things get more confusing. The new family calls him Buddy!
Christian the Lion – Anthony Bourke ©2009 As Ace and John, two friends, are searching for holiday gifts in London, they come across a lion cub for sale in Harrods, the famous department store! Unable to bear the thought of leaving the cub, Ace and John take him home and name him Christian. Age Range: 9 - 11 Years Grade Level: 3 - 5
Dear Primo a Letter to My Cousin – Duncan Tonatiuh ©2010 Two cousins, one in Mexico and one in New York City, write to each other and learn that even though their daily lives differ, at heart the boys are very similar. Age Range: 6 - 8 Years Grade Level: 1 - 3
How I Learned Geography - Uri Shulevitz ©2008 Recounting memories of his family's flight from the Warsaw Blitz and his years as a refugee during World War II, Shulevitz employs watercolor and ink to depict a boy liberated from his dreary existence. Caldecott Honor Book Age Range: 6 - 8 Years Grade Level: 1 – 3
The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse - Patricia MacLachlan ©2014 If you were a boy named Henri Matisse who lived in a dreary town in northern France, what would your life be like? Would it be full of color and art? Full of lines and dancing figures? Age Range: 6 – 8 Years Grade Level: 1 - 3
It's Probably Penny - Loreen Leedy ©2007 Lisa’s class is learning about probability. For part of her homework, she has to think of an event that will happen, one that might happen, and one that can’t happen. Who is that Boston terrier that keeps popping into Lisa’s imagination? It’s probably Penny! Age Range: 6 - 8 Years Grade Level: 1 - 3
Just Grace Goes Green - Charise Mericle ©2009 Grace can do a lot of things ... but can she save the planet? Or at the very least, can she help her best friend Mimi get her favorite stuffed animal back? Age Range: 6 - 9 Years Grade Level: 1-4
Libby of High Hopes – Elise Primavera ©2012 Ten-year-old Libby Thump loves two things: her dog Margaret and horses. She dreams about them, draws them all the time, and more than anything she wants to take lessons and learn to ride like a real horsewoman. Age Range 7 – 10 Years Grade Level: 2 - 4
Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat - Susanna Reich ©2012 While Julia is in the kitchen learning to cook up elaborate, delicious dishes; the only feast Minette is truly interested in is that of fresh mouse. Age Range: 5 - 8 Years Grade Level: 1 - 3
My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C. – Edward Kennedy ©2010 There's an old saying: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Senator Ted Kennedy decided to do just that. His beloved Portuguese Water Dog Champion Amigo's Seventh Wave (nicknamed Splash) is one of the most famous canines on Capitol Hill. Here we follow Senator Kennedy and Splash through a busy day in D.C., from press conferences to meetings with school groups to committee discussions to a floor vote. Age Range: 6 – 8 Grade Level: 1 - 3
We the Children (Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School) - Andrew Clements ©2011 Benjamin Pratt’s school is about to become the site of a new amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true! But lately, Ben has been wondering if he’s going to like an amusement park in the middle of his town—with all the buses and traffic and eight dollar slices of pizza. Age Range: 7 - 10 Years Grade Level: 2 – 4
The Year of the Baby – Andrea Cheng @2014 Last year, Anna learned how to be a good friend. Now that her family has adopted a baby girl from China, she wants to learn how to be a good sister. Age Range: 6 – 9 Grade Level: 1 - 4
Year of Billy Miller - Kevin Henkes @2013 Seven-year-old Billy Miller starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but by the end of the year he has developed good relationships with his teacher, his little sister, and his parents and learned many important lessons. Newbery Honor Book Age Range: 8 – 10 Years Grade Level: 2 - 4
4th Grade Summer Reading
By maintaining an active literacy life over the summer, you ensure your child the
best start to the next grade level! Happy Reading!
Our picks to get your started….
● The Lemonade War By Jacqueline Davies
● The Lemonade Crime By Jacqueline Davis
● The Bell Bandit By Jacqueline Davies
● The Magic Trap By Jacqueline Davies
● The Gollywhopper Games By Jody Feldman (challenge)
● The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster (challenge)
● Who Was Ben Franklin? By Dennis Brindell Fradin
● Because of Winn-Dixie By Kate DiCamillo
● Jake Drake Bully Buster By Andrew Clements
● The One and Only Ivan By Katherine Applegate
● Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing By Judy Blume
● Frindle By Andrew Clements
● Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein (challenge)
● I Survived Series
● Moby Dick: (Graphic Nove)l based on the novel by Herman Melville by Lew Syre Schwartz
Non-fiction:
● Weather by Seymour Simon
● Hurricanes: Earth’s Mightiest Storms by Patricia Lauber
● Locomotive by Brian Floca
● Queen of the Falls By Chris Van Allsburg
● Any of the Who Was, Who Is, Where Was series
● Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester
*From the list above you need to pick one book from each category. In addition you may choose
3 other books of your choice towards your first 5 books of our 100 book challenge.
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Welcome to the fourth grade summer reading experience!
We hope you love these books as much as we do. You are being asking to do
some work with the book over the summer, and then we will continue with
an “after reading” activity in school.
Some things to keep in mind:
- use pencil or you may type answers
- you may print or use cursive
- read through all the Before Reading and During Reading activities before you start
your book.
**Bring your packet in with you to school on the first day of school.
Name: _________________________________________________
Fiction - Novel (only complete for 1 book)
Before Reading
Good readers have many reasons for choosing a book. They might like a particular
author. Sometimes they prefer a specific genre such as sport books, mysteries,
fantasies, adventure stories, or historical fiction. When looking at books at the
library or bookstore, a special title or cover might spark an interest.
What book did you choose for your summer reading activity?
Title of book: _______________________________________
Author: ___________________________________________
Think about the following:
™ - The cover of the book
™ - The title of the book
™ - The author of the book
™ - Your personal background
In the space below, tell why you chose this book
During Reading
While you are reading your book, take time to answer the following questions on
the next three pages. You may use additional paper if needed.
1. At the end of the first chapter, stop and make a prediction. What do you think
will happen next? Use details from the story to explain your prediction.
2. Was your prediction of the first chapter correct? If yes, what details can you add
to summarize the chapter? If no, what happened in this chapter?
3. Describe the setting of the book. Make sure you include information about when
(time period) and where (location) the book took place.
4. Pick three words that you feel are important to the book you are reading. Explain
why the words are important to your book. You may either use words in the
book to help with your explanation or you can use your own thoughts.
WORD WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE BOOK
5. What was your favorite part of the book? Why? Use details from the story to help
add support to your answer.
Non-Fiction
Name: _____________________________________________
EXTRA….EXTRA….
Non-Fiction 3 - 2 - 1
(3) Things I Learned...
1. 2.
3.
(2) Questions I Have
1. 2.
(1) Thing I Found Interesting
1.
100 Book Challenge Reading Rewards
5 books (summer reading) Build your Monster Bookmark
10 books Show n’ Tell - bring something special into class on a Friday to
share with your classmates
15 books SMARTboard pass - Play a game on the SMARTboard during
morning break
20 books Mad Hatter - Wear a favorite or funny hat in class all day
25 books You have earned a certificate
30 books Snooze Button - skip my morning work
35 books Think in Ink- Write in a special pen for the day
40 books Dog ate my homework - no written homework tonight
45 books Lunch Bunch - eat in the classroom with your friends
50 books Your name will be posted on the wall outside the classroom
*when whole class has reached 50 books, you earn a Flashlight
Friday
55 books Noodle On! - choose a brainbreak from Go Noodle
60 books Lunch with Teacher
65 books “i” Tunes - choose music for the class to listen to while we work.
70 books Best Buds - sit with your “best bud” during class today
75 books VIP Seating - learn from the comfort of the teacher’s chair at
your desk
80 books Dog ate my homework - no written homework tonight
85 books Pick Your Own Partner Pass - pick who you would like to work
with in a partner group today
90 books Feet Treat - wear your slippers in class today
95 books Life’s Too Bright - wear your sunglass in class today
100 books CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DID IT!!!! Your name will be
announced to the school during morning assembly.
Dear Students,
We are excited to inform you about a new reading incentive
program for Grade Four which is designed to encourage you to
read on a daily basis. This year, we are challenging each child in
the fourth grade to read 100 books by June. You will earn a
reward or privilege for every 5 books you read. The list of
rewards and privileges is attached.
You may read novels, graphic novels, comic books, storybooks,
non-fiction books, magazines, etc. After you complete your
book, you will fill out a book slip and have it signed by your
mom or dad. We will keep track of the number of books you
read on a chart in our classroom. Remember, the goal is to read
at least 20 minutes every day.
We are excited for this program and think it will be a great
success.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Stephanie Cox and Mrs. Michelle Moore
SNEAK-PEEK!!!
Our Lady of Mercy
Fifth Grade Summer Reading List
2017 - 2018
We are asking that each student preparing to enter fifth grade read No Talking by Andrew
Clements and complete the attached assignment. This assignment is due the first week of school.
**Also, please read at least one other book from the list below.
1). The Report Card by Andrew Clements (realistic fiction)
Nora always gets average grades so she can forgo the pressure-cooker gifted program of Brainiac
Academy, but when Nora gets one hundred percent fed up over testing and the fuss everyone makes about
grades, she brings home a terrible report card just to prove a point. Pretty soon her teachers, parents, and the principal are launching a massive effort to find out what's wrong. Can Nora convince them that tests
alone are a foolish way to measure intelligence?
2). Holes by Louis Sachar (adventure) Stanley Yelnats has had awful luck his whole life. Kids tease him, his family is poor, and now he's
accused of a crime he didn't commit! Stanley blames his great-great grandfather, Elya Yelnats, who stole
a pig from a gypsy. According to legend, the gypsy put a curse on Elya and all his descendants.
3). There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar (realistic fiction)
Bradley Chalkers, a fifth grader at the Red Hill School, has trouble getting along with his classmates until
he meets Carla, a new school counselor. She not only listens to his wacky stories, but encourages him to use his powerful imagination. But just when Bradley's social world begins to broaden, the school board
decides to let Carla go. What will happen to Bradley now?
4). Rules by Cynthia Lord (realistic fiction)
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life which is near impossible when you have a brother
with Autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the
rules in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns
everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
5). The Secret School by Avi (historical fiction)
More than anything, Ida Bidson wants to become a teacher. To do that, she needs to finish eighth grade so
she can go on to high school, but when the one-room school in Ida's remote Colorado town closes unexpectedly, that dream seems unattainable. Her only hope is to keep the school open without anyone
finding out. Yet even a secret school needs a teacher. Ida can't be it. . . . Or can she?
6). The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (fantasy) Classic Greek mythology is mixed with modern adventure in this action-packed series. Twelve-year-old
Percy is always in trouble, and it doesn't help that he's started seeing monsters everywhere! Things
become clearer when Percy discovers he is the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea. Percy is sent to a summer camp on Long Island, but trouble starts all over again when Percy is sent on a quest to prevent war on
Mount Olympus.
Name ___________________________________________ Date ___________________
Fifth Grade Summer Reading Reflection (Answer each question in complete sentences. Use additional sheets if needed).
Book: No Talking by Andrew Clements
1). Setting: (Where and when does the story take place)?
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2). Characters: (Choose one character and describe how he/she changed throughout the book).
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3). Conflict: (Describe the major problem in the book).
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4). Resolution: (Describe how the problem was solved).
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5). Plot: (Describe five important events to summarize the book. Include events from the
beginning, middle, and end of the book).
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6). Theme: (What lesson did the characters learn over the course of the novel?):
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7). Review: (Describe why you would/would not recommend this book to other readers. Be
specific and use details from the story).
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SUMMER READING FOR THE SIXTH GRADE CLASS (2017-2018):
From the attached list choose two (2) books to read. Journal while you read the books. In your
journaling include the following:
A list and description of the main characters.
A short summary of the chapters as you read them.
The genre of the book.
The theme (message) of the book.
Your opinion of the book.
Be ready to discuss the books you have read in class in small groups and to present your summary and
recommendations (opinions) to the class.
Be ready to turn in your summer reading journal in September.
Summer Reading – Students Entering Seventh Grade
2017-2018
All students entering seventh grade are required to read Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. We will be using this novel during the school year while working on our research skills. Assignment: Students are to complete the graphic organizer and turn it in by September 15, 2017. Students are to write a one sentence summary of each chapter to hold their thinking
until September. Please type this and have ready to turn in with the graphic organizer that is supplied at the end of this list. A copy of the graphic organizer can be found on Mrs. DiCarne’s website which can be accessed from the OLM Main webpage.
In addition, each student must choose to read one book from the twelve listed below.
Students should be prepared to write a short essay about the book when they return to school
in September. The essay will be written in school and include information about the main
characters, setting, plot, and theme of the chosen book. They will use their choice to create a
book talk. Various options will be given in September.
The War That Saved My Life – Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
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.
Rain Reign – Ann M. Martin
Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She's thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and
she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to
Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose's obsessions, her
rules, and the other things that make her different – not her teachers, not other kids, and not
her single father.
Jefferson’s Son - Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
This story of Thomas Jefferson's children by one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, tells a darker piece
of America's history from an often unseen perspective-that of three of Jefferson's slaves-
including two of his own children. As each child grows up and tells his story, the contradiction
between slavery and freedom becomes starker, calliing into question the real meaning of "life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This poignant story sheds light on what life was like as
one of Jefferson's invisible offspring.
Death by Toilet Paper – Donna Gephart
Benjamin is about to lose a whole lot more than good toilet paper. If he doesn't make tons of
money fast by selling candy bars and winning contests—like the Royal-T Bathroom Tissue
slogan contest—his family will get kicked out of their apartment. Even with his flair for clever
slogans, will Benjamin be able to win a cash prize large enough to keep a promise he made to
his dad before he died? Or will he lose everything that matters to him?
Stella by Starlight – Sharon M. Draper
When the Ku Klux Klan’s unwelcome reappearance rattles Stella’s segregated southern town,
bravery battles prejudice in this New York Times bestselling Depression-era “novel that soars”
(The New York Times Book Review) that School Library Journal called “storytelling at its finest”
in a starred review.
One for the Murphys – Linda Mullaly Hunt
Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day
she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving,
bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like
an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys
eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has
to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have
opened up a new future.
The Raft – S. A. Bodeen
Robie is an experienced traveler. She's taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a
group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a
hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute.
She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there's a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go
until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn't panic until the engine
suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific
Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft. And then . . . she's in the water. Fighting for her life.
Max pulls her onto the raft, and that's when the real terror begins.
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl – Paige McKenzie
Shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Sunshine Griffith and her mother Kat move from sunny
Austin, Texas, to the rain-drenched town of Ridgemont, Washington. Though Sunshine is
adopted, she and her mother have always been close, sharing a special bond filled with
laughter and inside jokes. But from the moment they arrive, Sunshine feels her world darken
with an eeriness she cannot place. And even if Kat doesn't recognize it, Sunshine knows that
something about their new house is just ... creepy.
The Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stewart
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of
mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside
them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a
secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To
accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened,
where the only rule is that there are no rules. As our heroes face physical and mental trials
beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support.
But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of
all?
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – William Kamkwamba
When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all
of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to
explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the
idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap
metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his
family pump the water they needed to farm the land.
Monument 14 – Sky on Fire – Emmy Laybourne
Trapped in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, including a monster hailstorm and
terrifying chemical weapons spill, brothers Dean and Alex learned how to survive and worked
together with twelve other kids to build a refuge from the chaos. But then strangers appeared,
destroying their fragile peace, and bringing both fresh disaster and a glimmer of hope.
See You in the Cosmos - Jack Cheng
11-year-old Alex Petroski loves space and rockets, his mom, his brother, and his dog Carl Sagan—
named for his hero, the real-life astronomer. All he wants is to launch his golden iPod into space the
way Carl Sagan (the man, not the dog) launched his Golden Record on the Voyager spacecraft in
1977. From Colorado to New Mexico, Las Vegas to L.A., Alex records a journey on his iPod to show
other lifeforms what life on earth, his earth, is like. But his destination keeps changing. And the
funny, lost, remarkable people he meets along the way can only partially prepare him for the secrets
he’ll uncover—from the truth about his long-dead dad to the fact that, for a kid with a troubled mom
and a mostly not-around brother, he has way more family than he ever knew.
Fever 1793 Laurie Halse Anderson
Graphic Organizer
Main Characters Setting Main Problems
Most Exciting Moment Ending/Conclusion
Theme/Lesson
Grade 8
Summer Reading Assignment
Welcome to 8th Grade! All students entering 8th grade are required to read Bomb by Steve Sheinkin.
Assignment:
Complete the graphic organizer. Should you need another copy, you may download it from the school
webpage. Additionally, write a one sentence summary of each chapter. Head your sentences with the
chapter title and type them double-spaced. Please be prepared to turn in both documents by Friday,
September 8, 2017.
Also, please choose and read at least one book from this list:
90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
Secrets, Lies and Algebra by Wendy Lichtman
Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key
*Be prepared on the first day of school to write about and discuss your second-choice book. All six of these
books are available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.