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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Bomb Steve Sheinkin

Graphic Organizer

Main Characters Setting Main Problems

Most Exciting Moment Ending/Conclusion

Theme/Lesson