Primary School (PreKindergarten-Grade 2) Recommended Summer Reading List 2015 This list has been compiled by Lia Carruthers, Librarian @. lcarruthers@fhcds.org
Table of Contents Page 3 Page 4-6 Page 7 Pages 8-9 Pages 10 Page 11 Welcome Using Online Sources to Find Reading Recommendations Prekindergarten and Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Caldecott Medal 2
Welcome to the Recommended Reading List for 2015 Please use these lists as a guide for summer reading and reading throughout the year. The books listed here have been based on selections from School Library Journal, Booklist, and various book review sources. Local public libraries and bookstores near FHCDS will likely have copies of these titles. Tips for choosing a book you enjoy: 1) Try the five-finger test on each book to make sure that the book is a good fit for your reading level. a. Read a page in the book that is filled with text. b. Each time you do not know a word, put a finger up. c. If you get to 4 or 5 words, the book may not be right for you. 2) Examine the cover and read the back and inside jacket to find a short description of the book 3) Read the first couple paragraphs to see if it grabs you. 4) Look for books by a certain author that you enjoy. 5) Ask a friend or librarian for suggestions. 3
Using Online Sources to Find Reading Recommendations 1) Novelist K-8 a. We subscribe to a reading recommendation website called Novelist. To use, go to www.fhcds.org/library b. Scroll down to Databases. Choose EBSCO. c. Log in with Username: fhcds Password: fhcds14 d. Scroll down and click on Novelist K-8. Search by keyword, title, author, or series. Recommended Reading Lists. First click on student s age. Then choose topic. 4
e. Once you find a title, click on it. Title Read- alikes Book Information 2) Reading Rockets Themed Booklists. http://www.readingrockets.org/books/booksbytheme Reading Rockets creates and disseminates free, evidence-based information about reading through our three major services: PBS television programs, online services, and professional development opportunities. 5
3) New York Public Library Kids Book Lists http://kids.nypl.org/book-lists - Booklists by theme and by grade selected by librarians. 4) 100 Great Children s Books by the New York Public Library http://www.nypl.org/sites/default/files/100_great_childrens_books. pdf 5) Theodor Seuss Geisel Award http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward and http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward/geis elawardpastwinners for past winners - The Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year (ALA). 6) 2014 Notable Children s Books as chosen by the Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC) of the American Librarian Association (ALA) - http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb 7) 2014 Notable Children s Recordings as chosen by ALSC of ALA - http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncr. Road trips are a great way to share in the listening of a story. Public libraries have collections of audio books both on CD and downloadable. Use the time in the car to listen to a story and then discuss it as a family. 8) Do you have a child who loves nonfiction? Try the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal recipients. http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/sibertmedal for current winners and http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/sibertmedal/sibe rtpast/sibertmedalpast for past winners. 6
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Recommended authors and titles Keith Baker author of the Peas books: 123 Peas, LMNO Peas, Little Green Peas Anna Dewdney Llama Llama books. Llama Llama Misses Mama addresses first day of school jitters. Kevin Henkes Wemberly Worried, A Good Day, Lily s Big Day, Lily s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, Kitten s First Full Moon, Old Bear, Chrysanthemum, Julius, Baby of the World, and many more. Judith Viorst Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Rosemary Wells author of the Max and Ruby books, Yoko Books, McDuff books, Noisy Nora, My Kindergarten, and many, many more. Anne Rockwell First Day of School, At the Supermarket, At the Firehouse, and lots more. Judy Sierra We Love Our School. Lois Ehlert Waiting for Wings, Mice, Rrralph, Planting a Rainbow, In My World, etc. Hyewon Yum Mom, It s My First Day of Kindergarten! Katie Davis I m Telling You, Dex, Kindergarten Rocks! Allison McGhee Countdown to Kindergarten, Someday, Always 7
First Grade Students begin first grade with varying reading readiness skills. Picture books are normally about 30-32 pages with beautiful illustrations and are written on a level so that they may be read to younger children. Beginning Reader books are written for children to read independently. These books have shorter sentences, larger print, and a controlled vocabulary. Public libraries usually have a section dedicated to these leveled readers. Ask the librarian if you are interested in finding their Easy Reader or Easy to Read section. Popular Leveled Programs include: Step Into Reading by Random House Bank Street by Bantam All Aboard Reading by Putnam Hello Reader by Scholastic Beginning to Read by Modern Curriculum Press I Can Read by Harper Collins National Geographic Readers (nonfiction leveled titles) Penguin Young Readers Popular Series include: Barbie Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant Annie and Snowball by Cynthia Rylant Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel Star Wars 8
Harry Allard Miss Nelson books. Recommended Picture Books Jan Brett The Mitten, The Hat, Gingerbread Baby, and many more. Doreen Cronin author of Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Fly, Duck for President, etc. James Dean and Eric Litwin Pete the Cat books. Available in picture and Easy Readers. Mem Fox Koala Lou, Night Noises, Two Little Monkeys, Tell Me About Your Day Today Vivian French Diary of a Wombat books Kevin Henkes Julius Baby of the World, Shelia the Brave, Owen, A Weekend With Wendell, etc. Patrick McDonnell Art, Me Jane, Hug Time, Wag, The Monster s Monster. Laurie Numeroff If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, Beatrice Doesn t Want To, What Brothers Do Best, What Sisters Do Best, 10-Step Guide to Living with Your Monster, etc. Jane O Connor The Fancy Nancy books. Fancy Nancy books come in picture books and in Easy Reader books that are leveled. These easy reader books may be good books for your child to read aloud to you. Herman and Peggy Parish authors of the Amelia Bedelia books. The books in this series become funnier as children begin to understand her literal musings. David Shannon A Bad Case of Stripes, Too Many Toys, the David books. 9
Second Grade Second graders can drastically vary in reading habits and likes. Second graders have started to move on to chapter books, but also enjoy longer picture books and still like when someone reads to them. When searching for reading ideas, remember that you can look beyond the fiction into biographies and nonfiction that interest your child. This is a great age to start exploring interests. The Critter Club books by Callie Barkley Missy s Super Duper Royal Deluxe books by Susan Nees Lotus Lane books by Kyla May The Notebook of Doom books by Troy Cummings The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne The Looniverse books by David Lubar The Boris books by Andrew Joyner Books by Patricia Polacco Books by Trinka Hakes Noble Disney Princess Early Chapter Books by various authors (e.g. Belle: The Mysterious Message, Rapunzel: A Day To Remember) American Girl chapter books Mythology books were very popular with students this year. Short Tales Greek Myths has worked well with these students, but ask your public librarian for suggestions in their collection. Folk tales are great with this age. Read a few variations of the same tale and ask your child to tell you the differences between the stories. 10
Award Winning Books of 2015 Caldecott Medal Winner: The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat Honor Books: Nana in the City written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock & illus. by Mary Grand Pre Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett & illus. by Jon Klassen 11