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Grade 4 Summer Reading List 2017

Summer is a fun time for reading, and we encourage you to read as much as possible during your

vacation time! Here are the requirements for summer reading for rising Grade 4 boys:

You must read at least five books over the summer.

Four books must be chosen from the list, and one is a “free choice” selection.

You must read books from at least four of the five categories listed on the following pages.

You must read one book from the science & technology category.

Books that have a triple asterisk (***) in front of the title are former Lower School Book

Club selections. Consider reading one of these books if you didn’t during the year!

List the five required books below and bring back this sheet on the first day of school with your

parent’s signature. List additional books on the back of this sheet or type them on another sheet of

paper. Current students are also encouraged to write and post book reviews on Destiny Quest over

the summer! Happy reading!

Student Name _________________________________ Grade ____________

AUTHOR TITLE CATEGORY

1. _________________ ___________________________ Science & Tech (required)

2. _________________ __________________________ __________________

3. _________________ __________________________ __________________

4. _________________ __________________________ __________________

5. _________________ __________________________ ***FREE CHOICE***

__________________________________

Parent Signature

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AUTHOR TITLE CATEGORY

6. _________________ _______________________ __________________

7. _________________ _______________________ __________________

8. _________________ _______________________ __________________

9. _________________ _______________________ __________________

10. _________________ _______________________ __________________

11. _________________ _______________________ __________________

12. _________________ _______________________ __________________

13. _________________ _______________________ __________________

14. _________________ _______________________ __________________

15. _________________ _______________________ __________________

16. _________________ _______________________ __________________

17. _________________ _______________________ __________________

18. _________________ _______________________ __________________

19. _________________ _______________________ __________________

20. _________________ _______________________ __________________

21. _________________ _______________________ __________________

22. _________________ _______________________ __________________

23. _________________ _______________________ __________________

24. _________________ _______________________ __________________

25. _________________ _______________________ __________________

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FICTION

Amato, Mary Please Write in This Book

When Ms. Wurtz leaves a blank book in the Writer’s Corner with a

note encouraging those who find it to "talk to each other" in its pages,

the student’s entries spark a classroom-wide battle.

Angleberger, Tom Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus (Origami Yoda series)

The real question is whether or not Origami Yoda is real. Does the

small finger puppet have magic powers? Yoda-making instructions are

included.

Applegate, Katherine ***Crenshaw

A story about a homeless boy and his imaginary friend that proves, in

unexpected ways, that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.

Atwater, Richard Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Mr. Popper was presented with an Antarctic penguin which he named

Captain Cook. The family tried to make the new pet happy, but he

grew so lonely that they got another penguin named Greta. How life

changed for the Popper family!

Banks, Lynn The Indian in the Cupboard (series)

Omri receives a mysterious cupboard, a very old key, and a three-inch

high Indian for his 9th birthday.

Barrie, J. Peter Pan (Classic Starts series)

Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who can fly and never grows up. He

spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the small

island of Neverland.

Barry, Dave Peter and the Starcatchers (series)

Peter, an orphan, sets sail from England on the ship Never Land. He

befriends and assists Molly, a young Starcatcher, whose mission is to

guard a trunk of magical stardust from a greedy pirate.

Broach, Elise The Wolf Keepers

Lizzy and her Dad embark on a high-stakes historical adventure as

They try to navigate while lost in Yosemite National Park.

Cleary, Beverly Ramona the Pest (series)

Ramona Quimby continues to be a source of embarrassment to her

older sister, Beezus, to Henry and to her mother because of her vivid

imagination.

Clements, Andrew No Talking

The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge

the equally loud fifth grade girls to a “no talking” contest.

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Collins, Suzanne Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles series)

When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled

into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving

men, bats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by

ancient prophecy.

Cooper, Susan The Boggart (series)

Not only has the Volnik family inherited a castle in Scotland, but also

a boggart, an invisible and mischievous spirit with a fondness for

practical jokes.

Creech, Sharon Boy on the Porch

When John and Martha finds a boy asleep on their porch, their lives

take a surprising turn. Unable to speak, the boy, Jacob, can’t explain

his history. The three of them blossom into an unlikely family and

begin to see the world in brand-new ways.

Dahl, Roald BFG Kid-snatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), who

spends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts

with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling

giants.

Davies, Jacqueline Lemonade War (series)

Evan and his younger sister Jessie compete through lemonade stands,

each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars.

Lemonade Crime #2

Bell Bandit #3

Candy Smash #4

Day George, Jessica Wednesdays in the Tower (series)

A castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family

sworn to protect it. Celie, the youngest princess, finds the new room

first, and inside it is hidden a giant egg. It looks like the Castle wants

Celie to care for the egg and whatever creature it hatches, but Celie

hadn’t bargained for a pet.

Deedy, Carmen Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his

hard life dodging fishwives brooms and carriage wheels and trade his

damp alley for the warmth of the Cheshire Cheese Inn.

DiCamillo, Kate ***Tale of Despereaux

Despereaux Tilling is a small mouse of unusual talents. He has

adventures with a princess he loves, a servant girl who longs to be a

princess, and a devious rat.

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DiCamillo, Kate Because of Winn-Dixie With her newly adopted, goofy pooch at her side, Opal explores

bittersweet world and learns to listen to other people’s lives.

Fleischman, Paul Bull Run

Through the alternating viewpoints of 16 characters from various

walks of life, readers gain insight into the first battle of the Civil War.

Fleming, Candace Fabled 5th Graders of Aesop Elementary School

Throughout their fifth-grade year, a group of rambunctious students

learns fable-like lessons from extraordinary activities, singing guinea

pigs, and eccentric teachers, led by the inimitable Mr. Jupiter.

Gibbs, Stuart Panda-monium (FunJungle Collection series)

Th anticipation of FunJungle’s newest resident, a rare giant panda,

turns into alarm when the truck transporting the panda goes missing.

Gibbs, Stuart Spaced Out (Moon Base Alpha series)

Twelve-year old Dashiell Gibson is famous for being one of the first

humans to live on the moon. When Moon Base Alpha commander,

Nina Stack, goes missing, Dash is on the case.

Grabenstein, Chris ***Welcome to Wonderland: Home Sweet Motel (series)

Wisecracking 12-year-old P.T. Wilkie loves the Wonderland Motel in

Florida, where he lives with his business-minded mother and fun-

loving, fast-talking grandfather, who originally opened the motel.

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Grabenstein, Chris Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers (series)

What do you get when you add up: 1 middle-school bully, 2 bank

robbers; 57 dogs in peril; 4,000 missing dollars and 5 daring

troublemakers led by the one and only Riley Mack?

Graff, Lisa Absolutely Almost

Albie has a long list of the things he’s not very good at. But then Albie

gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the

things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself.

Greenwald, Tommy Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Summer Vacation (series)

Charlie Joe Jackson is back and he is at academic summer camp where

his is trying to convert all the other kids to non-academics.

Griffiths, John 65 Story Treehouse (series)

Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it’s not just any old treehouse,

it’s the most amazing treehouse in the world!

Grimes, Nikki Garvey’s Choice Preferring science and reading to the sports his father wants him to

pursue, insecure Garvey comforts himself with food and endures

teasing by bullies before joining the school chorus, where his musical

talents help him accept himself and bond with his father.

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Gutman, Dan Flashback Four Four very different kids are picked by a mysterious billionaire to travel

through time and photograph some of history’s most important events.

This time, they are headed to 1863 to catch Abraham Lincoln’s famous

Gettysburg Address.

Gutman, Dan Willy & Me (Baseball Card Adventures series)

Stosh thought he was finished traveling back in time. But then Ralph

Branca shows up in his room one night, begging for his help. Stosh

uses his power to travel in time using baseball cards one last time in an

adventure of a lifetime.

Hemphill, Michael Stonewall Hinkleman and the Battle of Bull Run

Stonewall Hinkleman is transported back in time to the actual Battle of

Bull Run and he’s not alone! Mr. Dupree, an ardent Confederate from

Stonewall’s time, has also traveled back in order to change the

outcome of the whole Civil War. Stonewall needs to stop Dupree and

save the course of American history.

Henkes, Kevin Year of Billy Miller

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.

Henry, Marguerite Misty of Chincoteague Paul and his sister Maureen’s determination to own a pony from the

herd on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, is greatly increased when the

Phantom and her colt are among the ponies rounded up for the yearly

auction.

Hiaasen, Carl Flush

With their father jailed for sinking a river boat, Noah Underwood and

his younger sister, Abbey, must gather evidence that the owner of this

floating casino is emptying his bilge tanks into the protected waters

around the Florida Keys.

Holm, Jennifer L. Fourteenth Goldfish

Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She even misses

her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up

who looks just like grandpa. Could this boy really be Grandpa

Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?

Ibbotson, Eva Abominables The Abominables follows a family of yetis who are forced, by tourism,

to leave their home in the Himalayas and make their way across

Europe to a possible new home.

Jensen, Marion Almost Super

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Everyone over the age of twelve in the Bailey family gets a

superpower. No one knows why, and no one questions it. All the

Baileys know is that it’s their duty to protect the world from the evil.

Jeter, Derrick The Change Up (series)

In the series inspired by iconic New York Yankee Derek Jeter, Derek’s

father keeps his promise to coach his son’s youth baseball league.

Jinx, Catherine The Last Bogler (series)

With the plague of bogles in Victorian London barely contained, bogle

hunter Alfred Bunce needs help, so Ned Roach becomes a bogler’s

apprentice.

Kerr, P. B. The Akhenaten Adventure (Children of the Lamp series)

A string of strange things begin to happen to the twins after their

wisdom teeth are extracted--they dream the same dreams, and wishes

wished in their presence inexplicably come true.

Kimmel, Elizabeth Balto & the Great Race Balto has a quiet life as a sled dog—until tragedy strikes. Dozens of

children in Nome become sick with diphtheria. Without antitoxin

serum, they will perish. Can the dogs travel 650 miles and bring the

serum in time?

Kinney, Jeff Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down (Diary of a Wimpy Kid series)

Greg plans to film a scary movie using an old video camera he found

in his basement, but getting rich is not as easy as he thought!

Kipling, Rudyard Jungle Book

Introduces us to the adventures of Mowgli, who is a boy raised by

wolves and other animals of the Indian jungle.

Klimo, Kate Dragon in the Sock Drawer (Dragon Keepers series)

Ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy have always wanted something

magical to happen to them. So it’s a wish come true when Jesse’s

newly found thunder egg hatches and a helpless, tiny, but very loud,

baby dragon pops out.

Korman, Gordon Jingle (Swindle series)

Jingle: a light clinking or tingling sounds, often heralding the approach

of Santa, reindeer—or the mysterious thief of a priceless possession.

Shotz, Jennifer Li Hero

Hero, a retired rescue dog is not prepared to welcome a puppy into his

home, but when Scout, the new puppy, goes missing, Hero uses his

skills to find him before it is too late.

Lin, Grace When the Sea Turned to Silver

Pinmei’s gentle, loving grandmother always has the most exciting tales

for her granddaughter and the other villagers. However, the peace is

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shattered one night when soldiers of the Emperor arrive and kidnap the

storyteller.

Lorenzi, Natalie Dias A Long Pitch Home

When Bilal’s family moves to America from Pakistan, the boy

embraces baseball, an unexpected friend and a new language.

Lowry, Lois Willoughbys

Four Willoughby children set about to become "deserving orphans"

after their neglectful parents embark on a treacherous around-the-

world adventure, leaving them in the care of an odious nanny. .

MacLachlan, Patricia The Poet’s Dog

A dog with unusual communication talents loses his poet owner

before rescuing two children trapped in a snowstorm.

Maddox, Jake Bad-Luck Basketball (Jake Maddox JV series)

Lately the Clovers have had worse luck than ever. And it seems like

everyone wants to blame Brandon for the team’s losing streak. Can

Brandon convince his teammates he’s not bringing the bad luck before

it’s too late?

Malone, Geoffrey Elephant Ben

Ben and his game-ranger father are traveling on the plains of Africa in

search of elephants. Not only do they find the great elephant Temba

and her family, but ravenous lions and crocodiles and men illegally

hunting for ivory.

Manes, Stephen Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days

Milo, tired of problems with his sister, parents, and classmates, finds a

book in the library which promises to make him perfect in just three

days.

Mathis, Sharon Hundred Penny Box

Michael loves his great-great-aunt Dew, even if she can’t always

remember his name. He especially loves to spend time with her and

her beloved hundred penny box, listening to stories about each of the

hundred years of her life.

McCall Smith, A. Mystery of Meerkat Hill

Ramostswe lives in a village in Botswana and wants to be a detective.

Two new students, Teb and Pontsho, along with their comical pet

meerkat named Kosi. Can the three kids and Kosi find Teb and

Pontsho’s family’s missing cow?

McColsky, Robert Homer Price (series)

Homer visits his uncle’s coffee shop and is left in charge of the

doughnut making machine, which goes haywire and won’t shut off.

McMullan, Kate School!: Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School

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Ron Faster learns some important lessons about life during his

adventures on each day of the week in a most unusual school.

Merrill, Jean The Toothpaste Millionaire

Follow the rising success of sixth grader Rufus, who develops and

markets his own toothpaste before retiring at age 13.

Moloney, James Trapped

David thinks his new town is boring until he discovers a big drainpipe

that looks perfect for skateboarding. He can’t resist exploring the huge

cement tunnel. Then he hears something odd.

Nimmo, Jenny Charlie Bone and the Shadow (Children of the Red King series)

Charlie’s magical ability to look at photographs and hear

conversations that were taking place at the time photographs were

taken helps him fight the evil Count Harken.

O’Brien, Robert ***Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (series)

Having no one to help her with her problems, a widowed mouse visits

the rats whose former imprisonment in a laboratory made them wise

and long lived.

O’Connor, Barbara On the Road to Mr. Mineo’s

Summer days drift by slowly in Meadville, South Carolina—that is,

until Sherman the one-legged pigeon flies into town and causes a

ruckus.

Park, Linda Sue Wing and Claw: Cavern of Secrets (series)

Journey with our young apothecary hero to new heights of danger,

exciting adventure, and intriguing botanical magic.

Pastis, Stephan Now Look What You’ve Done (Timmy Failure series)

Timmy has a secret admirer. He knows this, as he’s received a note,

covered in little hearts, that says, “You have a secret admirer!”

Patterson, James Word of Mouse

After a dramatic escape from a mysterious laboratory, Isaiah is

separated from his "mischief" (which is the word for a mouse family),

and has to use his special skills to survive in the dangerous outdoors,

and hopefully find his missing family.

Patterson, James Peril at the Top of the World (Treasure Hunters series)

Join the Kidds on their trek to exotic Russia and the dangerous Arctic

as they outrun the bad guys in their search for stolen treasure.

Paulsen, Gary Mr. Tucket (series)

In 1848, while on a wagon train headed for Oregon, fourteen-year-old

Francis Tucket is kidnapped by Pawnee Indians and then falls in with a

one-armed trapper who teaches him how to live in the wild.

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Peck, Richard Mouse with the Question Mark Tail

The tiniest mouse in the Royal Mews doesn’t even know his own

name! He scampers off on an epic adventure in and around

Buckingham Palace with a plan to seek the advice of Queen Victoria.

Pennypacker, Sara Waylon! One Awesome Thing

Waylon has lots of ideas for making life more awesome through

science, but how can he concentrate on his inventions when he is

experiencing his own Big Bang.

Perkins, Lynne Nuts to You

How far would you go for a friend? Two squirrels go very far indeed

to save a friend who has been snatched up by a hawk.

Pichon, Liz Brilliant World of Tom Gates

Tom Gates has a lot of negatives in his life - his older sister annoys

him & his teachers assign too much homework. But all Tom really

wants is to score tickets to see the best band ever, Dude3 and to

impress Amy Porter.

Polacco, Patricia The Art of Miss Chew

A touching story of a teacher named Miss Chew who encouraged

individuality, and accepted learning differences in a young student in

her art class.

Riordan, Rick Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson series)

After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god

of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for

demigods like him, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a

war between the gods - Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon.

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (series)

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young

boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts

School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Rylant, Cynthia Park and the Master Plan

Stumpy, Murray, Gwendolyn, and Kona recruit Herman the crow and

200 owls to help with their Master Plan to assist the animals of

Gooseberry Park that are in trouble because of a months-long drought.

Scieszka, John ***Frank Einstein and the EvoBlaster Belt (series)

Kid-genius and inventor Frank Einstein figures out how the world

works by creating household contraptions that are part science, part

imagination, and definitely unusual.

Shurtliff, Liesl Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

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Rump lives with his grandmother in a mountain village where he

endures endless teasing about his name. When he discovers that he can

spin straw into gold, he hopes to end their poverty and hunger.

Sperry, Armstrong Call it Courage

Based on a Polynesian legend, this is the story of a youth who

overcomes his fear of the sea and proves his courage to himself and his

tribe.

St. John, Lauren White Giraffe (series)

St. John’s adventure-fantasy set in South Africa has all the elements—

albino giraffe, dead parents, lonely girl with the gift of an ancient

power over animals, aloof grandmother, suspicious game warden,

poachers—to make a hit.

Stoudemire, Amar’e STAT: Home Court (STAT series)

Based on the life of All-Star NBA player, Amar’e Stoudemire, who

overcame many obstacles to become one of the most popular figures in

sports today.

Tarshis, Lauren I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (series)

Follow brave kids as they struggle to survive and overcome various

historical disasters.

Tashjian, Janet My Life as a Ninja (series)

Derek Fallon has expanded his taste in cartoons to the world of manga

and anime. Together with his friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto, Derek

has fun learning about all the cool aspects of ninja culture. When

someone starts vandalizing their school with graffiti, these ninjas-in-

training are convinced they’ll be able to crack the case.

Taylor, Theodore The Cay (series)

A white boy, blinded by a blow on the head, and an old black man are

stranded on a tiny Caribbean island. The boy acquires new kind of

vision, courage, and love from his old companion.

Ursu, Ann Real Boy

Oscar knows he’s different. He can’t remember where he comes from

but he has an encyclopedic knowledge of magical herbs. As the

apprentice to Caleb, Oscar doesn’t need to worry about how different

he is until a mysterious destructive force begins destroying anything

magical, and the city’s perfect children start falling curiously ill.

Voigt, Cynthia Young Fredle

It was a Peppermint Pattie that was Fredle’s undoing. This brave little

mouse embarks on a remarkable journey of self-discovery after he is

pushed out of the house and must go it alone in the great outdoors.

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White, E. B. Charlotte’s Web

The story of a little girl who could talk to animals, but especially the

story of the pig, Wilbur, and his friendship with Charlotte, the spider,

who could not only talk but write as well.

Winthrop, Elizabeth The Castle in the Attic (series)

A gift of a toy castle, complete with silver knight, introduces William

to an adventure involving magic and a personal quest.

Yelchin, Eugene Breaking Stalin’s Nose

Set in Moscow during the Stalin era, a boy becomes disillusioned with

his hero Stalin after his father is unjustly arrested.

Yolen, Jane Passager (The Young Merlin Trilogy series)

Abandoned in the woods of Medieval England, an eight-year-old boy

begins a journey of hardship, danger, and magic that will one day

make him the most famous wizard of all time.

BIOGRAPHY

Barton, Chris Whoosh! Lennie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

In introduction to the life and creative achievements of NASA

engineer and inventor Lonnie Johnson.

Borden, Louise Journey That Saved Curious George

Follow the Reys’ amazing story as they fled their Paris home when the

German army advanced.

Bull, Angela Free at Last, the Story of Martin Luther King, Jr.

This biography of the civil rights leader covers his childhood,

leadership, powerful speeches, assassination, and greatest influences.

Burns, Ken Grover Cleveland, Again! A Treasury of American Presidents

A gorgeous collection of American presidents filled with fun facts and

sparkling with personality!

Delano, Marfe F. Helen’s Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller’s

Teacher

The epic story of Annie Sullivan’s perseverance and triumph in the

face of hardship. This pioneering teacher overcame disability and

misfortune before achieving her success as one of the most famous

educators of all time.

Fritz, Jean Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt!

Follows the life of the dynamic twenty-sixth president, discussing his

conservation work, hunting expeditions, family life, and political

career.

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Gifford, Clive 10 Leaders Who Changed the World

This book presents 10 of history’s preeminent leaders of the 20th

century from Mohandas Gandhi to Joseph Stalin, Franklin Delano

Roosevelt, Fidel Castro, and Nelson Mandela.

Hartland, Jessie Steve Jobs: Insanely Great

Enter the world of Steve Jobs -- disrupter, icon, hero -- and be inspired

by his fascinating life presented here as a graphic novel.

Jennings, Ken U.S. Presidents With this book, you’ll become an expert and wow your friends and

teachers with clever facts.

Krull, Kathleen Albert Einstein (Giants of Science series)

Einstein is depicted as a rebel student, absentminded scientist, and

distracted parent who made mistakes and had his regrets, but who also

retained his curiosity and continued to work on answering the

questions he imagined.

Krull, Kathleen Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors

Thought) Shakespeare wrote with a feather quill and ink and Isaac Bashevis

Singer wrote on a Yiddish typewriter. But what did such writers do

when they weren’t writing? Filled with exuberant thumbnail sketches

and sophisticated caricatures.

Krull, Kathleen Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors

Thought)

What’s behind all that painting, drawing, and sculpting of these

wonderful artists? What was Leonardo da Vinci’s snack of choice

while he painted Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile? Who called Diego

Rivera "Frog-Face"? And what makes their work and their lives so

fascinating?

Medearis, Angela Coretta Scott King: Dare to Dream

From her childhood encounters with discrimination to her activism as

an adult, Coretta Scott King dreamed of finding a place where people

were treated equally.

Nelson, Kadir Nelson Mandela

Kadir Nelson tells the story of Mandela, a global icon, in poignant

verse and glorious illustrations.

Nobleman, Marc Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman

In 1934 during the Depression-era Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two

misfit teens from Cleveland created a superhero who was everything

they were not.

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Silvey, Anita Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall

Traces the life of Jane Goodall & each chapter focuses on two

or more of the chimpanzees that she observed.

Tavares, Matt Becoming Babe Ruth (Candlewick Biographies series)

Accessible biographies for students who will admire the hard work,

sacrifice, and triumph of these athletes, musicians and scientists.

Weatherford, Carole Boston Dorthea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces

Of the Depression

One of the leading documentary photographers of the 20th

Century come to life in this brilliant picture book.

Williams, Marcia Hooray for Inventors!

An entertaining book tells the stories behind some of the world’s

greater and lesser inventions. Learn about the useful inventions like

toilet paper and postage stamps, coffee filters, teddy bears, and

windshield wipers and many more.

Who Is/Was Bio.’s Who is Malala Yousafzai?

Easy to read, illustrated biography series

Who Was Cesar Chavez?

Who Is Sonia Sotomayor? .

HISTORY

Adams, Simon Alexander: The Boy Soldier Who Conquered the World

Period artwork, primary source accounts, photographs, artifacts and an

engaging text, this book examines the life of Alexander the Great,

from his childhood to his major achievements and victories in battle.

Basher, Simon States and Capitals: United We Stand (Basher History series)

From Alabama to Wyoming, and everywhere in between,

each state boasts about why it is special.

Brenner, Barbara If You Were There in 1492: Everyday Life in the Time of Columbus

Chock-full of little-known facts and written with you-are-there

immediacy, this volume explores everyday life in Spain at the end of

the 15th century.

Bryan, Ashley Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought

to Life

Vivid, moving portraits of slaves’ lives.

Conklin, Thomas Titanic Sinks!

Exciting and true story about the "unsinkable" Titanic! Dramatic

accounts and fast-paced action of how the world’s biggest, safest ship

sank on its maiden voyage.

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Cook, Peter You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Mayflower!

In this book readers will become the main character and can revel in

the gory and dark sides of life throughout the important moments in

history. Entertaining sidebars and a comprehensive glossary included.

DK Civil War (Eyewitness Books series)

Compelling information on the war between the States, Abraham

Lincoln, slavery in America, the Confederacy and the Union.

Floca, Brian Locomotive

Pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and

strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving;

and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.

Fritz, Jean Who is Saying What in Jamestown, Thomas Savage?

Follow the life of Thomas Savage, a thirteen year old boy, who sailed

to the New World and lived in a Powhatan village.

Fullman, Joseph Ancient Civilizations (Eyewitness Book series)

From the intriguing world of pharaohs in Ancient Egypt, to the arts of

Greece and Rome, to the amazing culture of the Mayans.

Hinshaw, Dorothy Dogs on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond

Follow man’s best friend onto the battlefield, learn why dogs are

uniquely qualified for the job at hand, how they are trained, how they

contribute to missions, and what happens when they retire.

History in Pictures World War II: War in the Pacific

Approximately 40 maps and 500 images give a complete picture of the

conflict across the world - the Eastern and Western fronts, Scandinavia

and Italy, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, and China and Southeast

Asia, as well as the Western Pacific.

Krull, Kathleen What Was the March on Washington?

With black-and-white illustrations throughout and sixteen pages of

photos, Martin Luthur King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the

March is brought to life.

Lewin, Ted Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu

In 1911, a Yale professor in search of a lost Inca city was led to the

site of Machu Picchu by local Indians. In this lavishly illustrated

picture book, Lewin traces Professor Bingham’s steps through the

tangled mountain jungle to his exciting discovery.

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Mann, Elizabeth Great Wall

This is the story of a people’s struggle for absolute security in a violent

and dangerous world – beautiful and informative.

Nelson, Kadir Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans The story of America and African Americans is a story of hope and

inspiration and unwavering courage.

Nelson, Vaunda M. The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore

Relates the story of the National Memorial African Bookstore,

founded in Harlem by Louis Michaux in 1939.

Reynolds, Jan Himalaya (Vanishing Culture series)

High in the Himalaya, for the Sherpas and Tebetans sharing and living

in harmony with the world around them is most important.

Sobol, Richard Growing Peace: A Story of Farming, Music, and Religious Harmony

A rare and timely story of hope, economic cooperation and religious

harmony in an often struggling part of the world.

Sobel, Syl Presidential Elections: And Other Cool Facts

Learn how the president of the United States is elected, who is eligible

to run for president, and who is eligible to vote.

St. George, Judith So, You Want to be President?

This lighthearted, often humorous roundup of anecdotes and trivia is

cast as a handbook of helpful hints to aspiring presidential candidates.

Steele, Philip Ancient Egypt

Browsers and young students alike will enjoy these lively question-and

answer books with their unique mix of realistic illustrations, fun facts,

and engaging cartoons.

You Choose books Berlin Wall: An Interactive Modern History

(An Interactive History Adventure series)

After a brief introduction setting the scene, readers choose a path in

history to follow. The interactive nature of the book offers readers

plenty of incentive to persevere.

What/Where Was series What was the Alamo? (series)

Easy to read, illustrated historical event series

Where is the Colosseum?

What was the San Fransisco Earthquake?

100 Facts 100 Facts series: Ancient Egypt (series)

One hundred facts, fantastic illustrations and cartoons give you the

inside story on Egyptian life, while fun quizzes test your knowledge.

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POETRY

Carroll, Lewis Jabberwocky

Stephane Jorisch’s stunningly inventive art adds a vibrant, surprising

dimension to the most celebrated nonsense poem in the English

language.

Clinton, Catherine I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American

Poetry

A unique collection of African American poetry that spans

three centuries of writing in America.

Ebenson, Barbara J. Echoes for the Eye: Poems to Celebrate Patterns in Nature

A collection of poems that reveal patterns in nature.

Fleischman, Paul Joyful Noise; Poems for Two Voices

This collection of poems describes the characteristics and activities of

a variety of insects.

Florian, Douglas Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles

Meander through the different aisles of this comical poems, everything

from laugh-out-loud limericks to frenetic free verse.

JoyHan

Hanson, Nicole When I Was Grown-up and Other Poems

Humorous and encouraging children’s poetry.

Hughes, Langston Sail Away

A celebration of the creatures of the sea through poetry and art.

Joyce, Sidman This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

When Mrs. Merz asks her sixth grade class to write poems of apology,

they end up liking their poems so much that they decide to put

them into a book.

Longfellow, Henry W. Paul Revere’s Ride

Paul Revere rides again in this version of Longfellow’s narrative

poem.

Orgill, Roxane Jazz Day

An uplifting collection of poems captures mid-20th century Harlem.

Prelutsky, Jack Sardines Swim High Across the Sky These poems are about animals—some are big and some are small,

some have unusual interests, and some are just plain unusual.

Silverstein, Shel Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings

Shel Silverstein’s masterful collection of poems and drawings is at

once outrageously funny and profound.

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Singer, Marilyn A Strange Places to Call Home: World’s Most Dangerous Habitats

& The Animals That Call Them Home

In this fascinating look at fourteen animals who defy the odds by

thriving in Earth’s most dangerous places, renowned poet Marilyn

Singer and celebrated artist Ed Young illustrate the miracles of life.

Smith Jr., Charles R. 28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World

A poetic picture book look at many of the men and women who

revolutionized life for African Americans throughout history.

Stevenson, Robert L. A Child’s Garden of Verses

A whole new generation of children and their parents will delight in

discovering this reissue of Stevenson’s poetry.

Weatherford, Carole B. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Right

Movement

A collection of free form poems describing the life and work of civil

rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.

Wilson, Karma Outside the Box: A Book of Poems

More than 100 poems cover all aspects of a child’s life from school

events to animals to families and even holidays.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Every student must read one book from this category.

Ball, Johnny Go Figure! Big Questions about Numbers

A math book filled with the weird and wonderful side of math and

numbers.

Basher, Simon Space Exploration (Basher Basics series)

The entries in this series make lighthearted but unexpectedly meaty

reading. Readers will enjoy and learn from these fact-filled books.

Berger, Melvin 101 Hidden Animals

Discover the 101 most amazing disguises in the animal kingdom! How

insects, reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish blend into their

backgrounds.

Bone, Emily Earthquakes and Tsunamis

This book shows readers how the shifting tectonic plates far below the

earth’s surface can result in violent earthquakes and tsunamis.

Bull, Peter Explorers: Robots "How do robots work?" "What jobs can Robots do?" "Can robots work

in space?" And: "Are humans and robots related?"- are only a few of

the questions answered.

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Burleigh, Robert One Giant Leap

On July 29, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the seemingly

impossible--something humans had dreamed of doing for centuries:

They traveled 240,000 miles through space and set foot on the moon.

Claybourne, Anna 100 Most Destructive Natural Disasters

This book investigates Mother Nature’s worst moments, from the 2004

Indian Ocean tsunami that killed over 200,000 people to the historic

1900 Galveston hurricane.

Esbensen, Barbara Swift as the Wind: The Cheetah

Describes the physical characteristics and habits of the cheetah.

Gardy, Jennifer It’s Catching: The Infectious World of Germs and Microbes

Learn how germs have shaped human history and also about the

individuals who are working to hunt them down.

Hopkinson, Deborah Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building In 1931, a boy and his father watch as the world’s tallest building, the

Empire State Building, is constructed, step-by-step, near their

Manhattan home.

Horowitz, Anthony Inside of A Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Know (YR’s Edition)

The author explains how dogs see their daily worlds, each other

and humans.

Jenkins, Steve Never Smile at a Monkey

Find out what you should never do if you encounter one of these

Surprisingly dangerous animals.

Jones, Charlotte Mistakes That Worked

Piggy banks, silly putty, potato chips and frisbees are all things that

were invented by mistake.

Landon, Rocky A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and

Innovations

Did you know that the Native Americans developed their own sign

language, as well as syringe needles and a secret ingredient in soda

pop? Even games like lacrosse, hockey and volleyball have Native

American roots.

Lassieur, Allison Building the Great Wall of China: An Interactive Engineering

Adventure

Readers assume roles as architects or builders of sites. A bit of

introductory history is followed by a stop-and-start account that asks

readers to flip to different pages based on the choices they make.

Levine, Barbara 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Math

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All too often students find the study of math to be more drudgery than

recreation. Zev and his coauthors work hard to create math puzzles

that entertain while instructing readers in complex mathematical ideas.

Lourie, Peter Polar Bear Scientists

For more than forty years, scientists have been capturing bears in order

to get information. What has this information been telling

scientists about polar bears and our changing global climate?

McCutcheon, Marc Kid Who Named Pluto

A collection of profiles of children and young adults whose scientific

inventions made an impact on the world, including Louis Braille who

discovered a way for the blind to read and write.

Mooney, Carla Rocketry: Investigate the Science and Technology of Rockets and

Ballistics

Explore the science behind rocket flight, how the forces of thrust,

gravity, lift, and drag interact to determine a rocket’s path.

National Geographic Kids Rhino Rescue and More Stories of Saving Animals

True stories of animal rescues filled with photographs and facts.

Rooney, Anne Space Record Breakers

What planet has the most moons? Who was the first woman in space?

Where is the nearest star? Learn these and other record-breaking facts.

Stewart, Melissa Inside Lightning

This book reveals the truth about this mysterious force of nature. Find

out where and when it strikes, follow its formation from cloud to

ground, see incredible photos of lightning flashes on earth and beyond.

Inside Earthquakes

Taylor, Saranne Futuristic Homes

What will houses look like in the future? From space stations to pod

living, this book examines how architects design and plan for the

world of tomorrow.

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Walker, Sally Earthquakes

Explanations how and where earthquakes occur, how scientists are

working to predict them, and how to survive if one strikes.

Yoder, Eric 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math! (One Minute Mysteries)

Each one-minute-long mystery challenges your knowledge of math in

everyday life situations (solutions included).

Summaries for the books are taken from professional reviews and various Internet sources.