Upper Elementary Summer Reading Book Suggestions

Transcription

1 Upper Elementary Summer Reading Book Suggestions www.

2 Summer Reading Book List Overview: This list has a wide range of book choices for students in the upper elementary grades. Rather than book reports or a lengthy written response, I ask my students to fill out a 4x6 notecard with key information. They review the notes on the notecard before coming back to school. I start the year with quick reading comprehension tests (my school uses Accelerate Reader) and then spend time on a class writing activity related to the book that is required for all students. Cover Page (p. 3) I am including the cover page I use with my students, I require all students to read a required book. This summer all students are reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In the fall, we start the year reading a chapter from Charlie and Chocolate Factory that Road Dahl edited out of the book before publication, and we talk about the writing process. This missing chapter is available in a book called The Missing Golden Ticket. To purchase The Missing Golden Ticket activities, visit Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory Students also choose 3 free choice books from the list provided. The Book List (pp. 4-7) The book list is divided by genre. The reading levels range from 3.5 to 7.5 (roughly). It is intended for rising 4 th graders but could be used for rising 5 th or 6 th grade with some editing (and depending on your students reading levels). My personal favorites are noted with ** after the book title and author. Book Buddy Bookmarks (pp. 8-9) There is a sample book buddy, which students can use to keep notes while reading a book. I have additional templates available for purchase at Bookmarks

3 I use these bookmarks while students read as a group or read independently to help focus reading. The bookmarks can be personalized with any reading skills on which you are focusing (themes, symbols, figurative language, important quotes, etc.). Print the template front and back and cut into 3 strips. I like to print on colored paper, so students don t lose it as easily. To get an overview of the Book Buddies, visit Additional Information I have a wide variety of book lists for all ages posted at If you find this book list useful, please leave feedback, and I would appreciate a follow. I am building my TpT store and will be adding additional ELA resources often. ( Please theroommomct@gmail.com after purchase if you would like an editable copy of this list or have any questions. Thank you to the 3am Teacher for the fun frame on the cover page. Graphics Created by The 3AM Teacher 2

4 Summer Reading List I am looking forward to having each of you in my language arts class in August. Summer is a great time to relax, have fun, and enjoy good books. I am asking each student to read four books over the summer. All students will read one required book and then choose three books from the list provided below. In order for books to count towards your summer reading requirement, the book title or book from a series must be on the list below. Students will not get credit for reading books that are not included on the list. You are encouraged to read more than four books if you would like! Required Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Charlie finds a Golden Ticket that gains him entrance to Willy Wonka s fabulous chocolate factory.) 1. When you finish reading the book, write very brief descriptions of the main characters and key events on a notecard. Save this notecard and review it right before school starts. 2. There will be a test similar to Accelerated Reader tests over the required book the first day of school. We will also have discussion and some writing assignments relating to the book the first week. Three Additional Books: Choose three books from the attached list. 1. Please keep a list that includes the title, author, and number of pages in each book you read on a clean piece of notebook paper and have a parent sign this list. I will collect the list the first day of school. 2. You will need to take an Accelerated Reader test on these three books during the first week of school. HINT: After you finish reading a book, create a 4x6 notecard that includes brief descriptions of the main characters and key events. Review all of the notecards right before you take your AR tests when you return to school. As with all other homework assignments, you will be held responsible for your work. Please do not make your first days at school stressful by not completing the reading assignment over the summer. Pace yourself! A good strategy would be to complete half the reading by July 4. 3

5 Action/Adventure/Survival Realistic Fiction Realistic Fiction (humorous) Book Choices Please choose books that you have not read before. Books are grouped by genre. Please keep in mind that many books overlap into other genres. For example, a book in the fantasy group might also be considered a mystery or an adventure book, but I will only have it listed in one category. Genre Series Title and Author (** = Teacher Favorites) Beatles, Lightly Toasted by Phyllis R. Naylor** Chocolate Fever by Robert K. Smith Freckle Juice by Judy Blume Frindle by Andrew Clements Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary (series) How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell Justin Case by Rachel Vail (series)** The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies (series)** No Talking by Andrew Clements** Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary (series) The Strange Case of Origami Yoday by Tom Angleberger (series) Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (series) Tarantula Shoes by Tom Birdseye The Candymakers by Wendy Mass** Comeback Kids by Mike Lupica (series) Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley Blume** Flush by Carl Hiaasen Hoot by Carl Hiaasen The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes** Mandy by Julie Edwards Missing May by Cynthia Rylant The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (series) The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy (series) Scat by Carl Hiaasen Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars The Wheel on the School by Meindert De Jong** A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements Conspiracy 365 by Gabrielle Lord (series, must be read in order) Far North by Will Hobbs** How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell (series) Journey Into Terror by Bill Wallace My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (series)** Princess Academy by Shannon Hale** (series) Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (series) Thursday s Child by Noel Streatfeild Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick** 4

6 Animal (fantasy or adventure) Mystery Genre Series Title and Author (** = Teacher Favorites) Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School by Andrew Clements (series) Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise (series) ** Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon (series) The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (series) Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene (series) The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch (series) The Sherlock Files by Tracy Barrett (series)** Babe, the Gallant Pig by Dick King Smith The Black Stallion by Walter Farley (series) Gentle Ben by Walt Morey Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson (series) The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford Kavik the Wolf Dog by Walt Morey** Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O Brien Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist by R. L. LaFevers (series)** Poppy and Friends by Avi (series) Redwall by Brian Jacques (series) Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner Stuart Little by E.B. White The Cricket in Times Square/Chester by George Seldon (series) The Mistmantle Chronicles by M.I. McAllister (series) The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White 5

7 Historical Fiction Fantasy Genre Series Title and Author (** = Teacher Favorites) The BFG by Roald Dahl The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull** Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop (series) The Creature from My Closet by Obert Skye (series)** Floors by Patrick Carmen Half Magic by Edward Eager (series) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer s Stone by J.K. Rowling (series) Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (series)** The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards** The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (series)** The Magic Half by Annie Barrows** The Magic Keepers by Erica Kirov (series) The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas (series)** Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (series) Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Auxier The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley (series) Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler (series)** The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (series) Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica George All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (series)** American Girl by various authors (series) The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich The Bread Winner by Arvella Whitmore** Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink Dear America by various authors (series) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O Dell** Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (series)** Morning Girl by Michael Dorris The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman 6

8 Non-Fiction Biographies and Autobiographies Genre Series Title and Author (** = Teacher Favorites) A Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming A Schoolteacher in Old Alaska: the Story of Hannah Breece by Jane Jacobs Biographies by various authors (series by Sterling Children s Books) Boy by Roald Dahl Chapters: My Growth as a Writer by Lois Duncan (out of print, Amazon)** Chocolate by Hershey: A Story About Milton S. Hershey by Betty Burford The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman Everyone Wears His Name: A Biography of Levi Strauss by Sondra Henry Model T: How Henry Ford Built a Legend by David Weitzman My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker Chasing Lincoln s Killer by James L. Swanson If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution by Kay Moore (series) Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong** True Stories by various authors (series by Usborne) Who Would Win by Jerry Palotta (series) Who Was by various authors (series by Grosset & Dunlap) 7

9 8 Book Title: Author: Beginning: Middle: End: Book Title: Author: Beginning: Middle: End: Book Title: Author: Beginning: Middle: End:

10 Big Problems and Solutions: Big Problems and Solutions: Big Problems and Solutions: