Summer At A Glance:

1. Each child should read, or hear read-aloud, at least five .

2. Read to your pre-reader or beginning reader for at least twenty minutes every day.

3. Rising 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders must read the required for their grade level, plus four others. Check the corresponding grade- level list for the specific title.

4. List books on the Reading Record (below).

5. Bring the completed Reading Record to teachers by August 28.

Summer Reading Record

Name: ______

Teachers (fall): ______

Each student should read, or hear read aloud, at least five books. Please list the titles of your five books below. If you read or listened to more than five, please write those down, too.

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

4. ______

5. ______

6. ______

7. ______

8. ______

9. ______

10. ______

This page should be returned to your classroom teachers no later than Friday, August 28.

Dear Parents:

The summer reading list has arrived! We have made a few changes that we hope will make it easier for you to find books that appeal to your child. First, the lists of books for the youngest grade levels are still quite lengthy, since pre-readers really need a steady stream of delicious books for parents to read aloud to them. The list for rising third and fourth graders has been shortened and organized into three broad genres, while the list for rising fifth and sixth graders is meant to be used as a digital document. That list is also organized loosely by genre, and instead of descriptions of each book, there are links directly to the IndieBound website or Amazon. Each list contains a mix of recent titles and older ones as well. Children’s books tend to go “out of print” pretty quickly, so some of these titles may only be available used or from your public , but they are still great books! Please keep in mind that this list is provided as a starting point and a helpful resource. Research shows that children read more when they are allowed to choose what they read, so we encourage you to give your child as much independence as possible when selecting books. If your child’s taste in books runs counter to your own, keep in mind that whatever phase it is will not last forever, and try to be as supportive as possible. Children read for just as many different reasons as adults do – to laugh, learn, get goosebumps, find comfort, puzzle over a mystery or visit other worlds. If your child needs extra incentive to read, consider participating in a summer reading program offered by your public library or local bookstore. Little Shop of Stories in Decatur is one of our favorite bookstores and they have a reading program as well as story times and book clubs for kids of all ages. Please note that students in third through sixth grade have one required book to read, plus four others of their choice. The title of the required book can be found on the corresponding grade-level list. Have a wonderful summer!

Callie & Katie The Children’s School Library

Summer reading recommendations for students entering 5th or 6th grade

Required reading for rising 6th graders: Schooled by Gordon Korman Required reading for rising 5th graders: Holes by Louis Sachar

The summer reading list looks a bit different this year! We hope the new format will make it even easier for you to identify books that sound exciting and appealing. Instead of a description, each title is linked to the IndieBound website or to Amazon. We encourage you to support your local, independent bookstore whenever possible. The folks at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur are extremely helpful and can find books for even the pickiest readers. If you are a voracious reader and need even more recommendations, try the Read Kiddo Read website or the summer reading lists from the American Library Association.

If you like the series, books with magic or other fantasy books, try…

Shield of Stars by Hilari Bell Floors by Patrick Carman The Skull of Truth by Bruce Coville Wildwood by Colin Meloy Fablehaven by Brandon Mull The Wall and the Wing by Laura Ruby The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler Under the Green Hill by Laura Sullivan Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede Curse of the Thirteenth Fey by Jane Yolen

If you like the Warriors or Spirit Animals series or other animal fantasy books, try…

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Deedy The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein Mouseheart by Lisa Fielder The Escape by Katherine Lasky Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel The Dragonet Prophecy (Wings of Fire series) by Tui Sutherland Young Fredle by Cynthia Voigt

If you like The Lightning Thief and other books with lots of action, try…

Loki’s Wolves by K. L. Armstrong What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World by Henry Clark The Dagger Quick by Brian Eames Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George Football Genius by Tim Green Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby Island of Thieves by Josh Lacey The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons by Barbara Mariconda The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen The Young Man and the Sea by Rodman Philbrick The Golden Hour by Maiya Williams

If you like Wonder, Because of Mr. Terupt or other heart-warming, realistic fiction books, try…

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall The Warriors by Joseph Bruchac Extra Credit by Andrew Clements Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis A Medal for Leroy by Michael Morpurgo The Encyclopedia of Me by Karen Rivers Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Counting by 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis Ava and Pip by Carol Weston President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston

If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Smile or other funny books, try…

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett & Jory John El Deafo by Cece Bell Al Capone Does My Shirts by Jennifer Choldenko Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald Chomp by Carl Hiassen Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Ungifted by Gordon Korman Public School Superhero by James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other) by Geoff Rodkey

If you like The 39 Clues series or other mystery books, try…

Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison The Danger Box by Blue Balliett Summer at Forsaken Lake by Michael D. Beil Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix The Detective’s Assistant by Kate Hannigan Codename Zero by Chris Rylander Saving Kabul Corner by N.H. Senzai Eddie Red Undercover: Mystery on Museum Mile by Marcia Wells The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman by Ben H. Winters

If you like Skeleton Man, Doll Bones or other spooky books, try…

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier The Seer of Shadows by Avi The Thief of Always by Clive Barker Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman The Pharaoh’s Secret by Marissa Moss The Cabinet of Earths by Anne Nesbet The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell Half-Minute Horrors edited by Susan Rich Truesight by David Stahler Jr. The Shadows by Jacqueline West Malice by Chris Wooding