2009 SUMMER READING IDEAS Students Entering Into 4Th Grade

2009 SUMMER READING IDEAS Students entering into 4th grade

TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD FLYING ANGELS AWARD

Read and write reports on 10 books from this list, Read and write reports on 10 books from this list, then you will be awarded a certificate in the May then you will be awarded a certificate in the May

2010 Honors Assembly. Educational research 2010 Honors Assembly. Educational research supports a link between reading and writing. The supports a link between reading and writing. The more our students practice writing, the better readers more our students practice writing, the better readers they become; while practice in reading helps improve they become; while practice in reading helps improve writing skills. writing skills.

Created by a committee of librarians from the Texas Created by Mrs. Tollefson, ESD Lower School Library Association. Librarian.

20 recently published books are on the list each year Each list consists of a core collection of classic and [the list changes every year.] contemporary books which are “too good to For 2009-2010, the ESD Lower School Library miss” for 3rd & 4th grades. I modify the lists each purchased 19 of the books, we decided one book was year, adding books published in the past year, and more appropriate for gr. 5-8. replacing some titles according to student, teacher and parent feedback and recommendations. The 20 books cover a variety of genres, including These are chapter books from the fiction section of picture books (32 pages,) short biographies, non- the ESD Lower School Library. Read from this list fiction, fiction & poetry. during the summer, but we are more flexible with additional titles during the school year. BUT ALL BOOKS READ FOR FLYING ANGEL CREDIT MUST BE IN THE ESD LOWER SCHOOL LIBRARY.

The purpose of this list is to encourage voluntary The purpose of this list is to encourage voluntary free reading of new books, and to vote for your free reading of a variety of old favorites as well as favorite book in January, so that the author gets new books in the ESD Lower School Library. a special award from the Texas Library

Association. Every January, Texas students in grades 3-6 may vote for their favorite book if they have read at least 5 of the nominees (no reports required.) We encourage all of our students to at least vote for their favorite Bluebonnet. Additional information about the program is on the Texas Bluebonnet website at: http://www.txla.org/groups/tba/ ESD 3rd & 4th graders are reading books on the 2009 list over this summer and through the next school year until May 2010. [NOTE: the 2010 Texas Bluebonnet list will be published in early 2010; however, books from that list are not counted toward the requirement for the 2009 ESD award.]

Required summer reading: A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements When the fifth grade takes its annual camping trip in the woods, tests Mark's survival skills are tested as well as his ability to relate to the kids at his new school and a teacher who seems out to get him.

The fourth grade teachers begin the school year with a book discussion of a common novel read by all students. Please come to school prepared to discuss this book, and complete a writing exercise. The ESD Lower School Library has multiple copies of this book for your convenience.

Information on the two optional incentive reading programs, the “Flying Angels” and the “Bluebonnets” are included in this packet.

2009-2010 ESD Fourth Grade Flying Angel: “Too Good to Miss”

These are OUR favorite books. Mrs. Tollefson and Mrs. Van Der Kar polled last year’s 4th grade, and we came up with a list that includes books that were recommended by multiple readers. Of course there are hundreds of wonderful books in our library, but if you start with this list you are sure to find something inspiring!

The “Flying Angel” Reading Award An optional program Third and Fourth grade students who choose to participate in the “Flying Angel” program are recognized with a certificate presented on the day of the Honors Assembly in May. Students may begin working on this project during the summer, but have a full 11 months to finish (May 2009.) Requirements: 1.) Read 10 books from the following “Flying Angel” list. ALL “Flying Angel” books read over the summer MUST be from this current 4th grade 2009-2010 list. However, we did not have space to list all titles from a series, so you may read any book in the series and receive credit. We trust that you are reading books that you did not read during previous years. 2.) You may read no more than two books by one author, or from a series with titles by different authors [such as “39 Clues” or “Royal Diaries,” ] since we are encouraging you to try a variety of literature. We also hope that once you find an author or series you love, that you will be inspired to read all of the books for fun. 3.) Write a short report (at least one paragraph) on the book. Be sure to include the author, title, genre and a brief summary (main characters and events) as well as a few sentences stating your opinion of the book (your favorite part, whether you recommend this book to others, or any criticism.) Reports may be hand-written or typed, but the reports must be in your own words! You may use the attached form. 4.) Turn in each report to your classroom teacher. Questions? Call Mrs. Tollefson (214-353-5714) or e-mail: [email protected]

Adventure

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (1987) [Newbery Honor Award] After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to physically survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother; but he also learns to emotionally survive his parents' divorce. Sequels: The River, Brian’s Return, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Hunt.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell (1960) [winner of the Newbery Medal] Left alone on a beautiful but isolated island off the coast of California, a young Native American girl spends eighteen years, not only merely surviving through her enormous courage and self-reliance, but also finding a measure of happiness in her solitary life. Inspired by the true story of Juana Maria who lived alone on San Nicholas Island from 1835-1853.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean George (1959) [Newbery Honor Award] Young Sam Gribley leaves New York City and spends a year living by himself in a remote area of the Catskill Mountains.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (2003) Orphaned brothers Prosper and Bo, having run away from their cruel aunt and uncle, decide to hide out in Venice where they fall in with the Thief Lord, a thirteen-year-old boy who leads a crime ring of street children.

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene DuBois (1947) [winner of the Newbery Medal] Three weeks after leaving San Francisco in a balloon to fly across the Pacific, Professor Sherman is picked up in the Atlantic clinging to wreckage. Weasel

Classics

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1935)

Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her. Sequels: Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri (1880) A Swiss orphan is heartbroken when she must leave her beloved grandfather and their happy home in the mountains to go to school and to care for an invalid girl in the city.

Nancy Drew (by Carolyn Keene) and Hardy Boys (by Franklin W. Dixon) These mystery and detective stories originated in the 1920’s and 1930’s and continue to engage readers today. Every child should try at one from the series.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911) Ten-year-old Mary comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors and discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden.

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss (1812) Relates the fortunes of a shipwrecked family as they adapt to life on an island with abundant animal and plant life. Recommended by several 4th grade students as an exciting classic.

Fantasy

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (2003) In the city of Ember, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions. Sequels: The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, The Diamond of Darkhold.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (2003) When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving humans, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy. Sequels: Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, Gregor and the Marks of Secret, Gregor and the Code of Claw.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (2003) Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father Mo, a bookbinder, can "read" fictional characters to life when an evil ruler named Capricorn, freed from the novel "Inkheart" years earlier, tries to force Mo to release an immortal monster from the story. Sequels: Inkspell, Inkdeath.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent Lee Stewart (2007) After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. Sequels: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.

Into the Wild by Erin Hunter (2004) Rusty, a bored house kitten, is apprenticed by the ThunderClan and must struggle to fit in when the group of feral cats is threatened by the enemy ShadowClan. This is the first book in the Warrior series. Sequels: Fire and Ice, Forest of Secrets.

The “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling (1998) The classic theme of “good vs. evil” is depicted in the adventures of wizard Harry Potter and his friends as they battle the evil Voldemort. The series includes seven titles. Even if you have seen the movies, you MUST read the books to truly appreciate this extraordinary world Ms. Rowling has crafted.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005) 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 himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods. The first in a series entitled Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Sequels: The Sea of Monsters, The Titan’s Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian.

The Witches by Roald Dahl (1983) A young boy and his Norwegian grandmother, who is an expert on witches, together foil a witches' plot to destroy the world's children by turning them into mice. Fans of Roald Dahl’s unique style might also like: The BFG, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach.

Historical Fiction/History

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (1959) The adventures of five sisters growing up in a Jewish family in New York in the early twentieth century. Sequels: All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown, All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown.

Anne Frank: Life in Hiding by Johanna Hurwitz (1988) A biography of the young Jewish girl made famous after her death in the Holocaust by the publishing of her diary detailing the two years her family hid from the Nazis during World War II.

Mr. Tucket series by Gary Paulsen (1969) A boy captured by Indians on his way West is befriended by a one-armed man who rescues him, teaches him to shoot, and shows him how to survive on his own. The first book is read during the 3rd grade, but if you haven’t had a chance, please read the sequels: Call Me Francis Tucket, Tucket’s Ride, Tucket’s Gold, Tucket’s Home, and Tucket’s Travels: Francis Tucket’s Adventures in the West, 1847-1849.

Night Journeys by Avi (1979) Two young indentured servants escape into Pennsylvania in the late 1700's and receive help from an unexpected source. This gripping adventure will have you on the edge of your seat.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989) In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis.

Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile by Kristiana Gregory (1999) While her father is in hiding after attempts on his life, twelve-year-old Cleopatra records in her diary how she fears for her own safety and hopes to survive to become Queen of Egypt some day. One of nine titles in the series entitled The Royal Diaries.

Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen (1998) Eager to enlist, fifteen-year-old Charley has a change of heart after experiencing both the physical horrors and mental anguish of Civil War combat.

Humor

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (1972) The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant. Sequels: The Best School Year Ever, The Best Halloween Ever.

The original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erikson Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, is framed for the murder of a chicken and becomes an outlaw with the coyotes. First of twenty- nine titles in the series, Hank the Cowdog.

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney (2004) Humphrey is the pet hamster at Longfellow School who learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher. Sequels: Friendship According to Humphrey, Trouble According to Humphrey, Surprises According to Humphrey (a 2009 Bluebonnet nominee,) Adventure According to Humphrey.

The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman (1996) With his friend as campaign manager and his former babysitter as running mate, twelve-year-old Judson Moon sets out to become President of the United States. Sequel: The Kid Who Became President.

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999) After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune. Book one in a thirteen book series entitled A Series of Unfortunate Events, a satire of the Victorian children’s novel .

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (1972) Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever increasing problem. Sequels: Superfudge, Fudge-a-mania, Double Fudge.

Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar (1978) Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story. Sequels: Wayside School is Falling Down, Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry (2008) A tongue-in-cheek take on classic themes in children's literature, in which the four Willoughby children set out 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. Also try her humorous series about Sam and his sister Anastasia: All About Sam, Attaboy Sam, See You Around Sam, and Zooman Sam.

Mystery/Ghost Stories

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (2008) Amy and Dan, members of the powerful Cahill family, try to uncover the thirty-nine clues which will reveal the secrets of their lineage and find out what really happened to their parents. The first in the 39 Clues series which will ultimately include ten titles. Sequels: One False Note, The Sword Thief.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett (2004) When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen and a precious Vermeer painting 6

disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal. The reader is invited to solve codes using pentominoes. Sequels: The Wright 3, The Calder Game.

From the Mixed Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler by E. I. Konigsburg (1967) Two suburban children run away from their Connecticut home and go to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where their ingenuity enables them to live in luxury. The mystery involves the origins of a statue, and their search to determine if it was sculpted by Michaelangelo.

The Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice (1998) Allie knows it's not her imagination when she hears a voice and sees in her mind's eye the face of a girl who seems to be seeking Allie's help.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007) [winner of the Caldecott Medal] When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized. This book is truly an original concept melding the visual and written story.

The Seer of Shadows by Avi (2008) Photographer Horace Carpetine is commissioned to do a portrait for society matron Mrs. Frederick Von Macht; however, the photos evoke both the image and the ghost of the Von Macht's dead daughter, Eleanora, who has returned to seek vengence on those who killed her.

Time for Andrew by Mary Downing Hahn (1994) When he goes to spend the summer with his great-aunt in the family's old house, eleven-year-old Drew is drawn eighty years into the past to trade places with his great-great-uncle who is dying of diphtheria. Other ghost stories by Ms. Hahn include Wait ‘Til Helen Comes and The Doll in the Garden.

Realistic Fiction

Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles (2005) Comfort Snowberger is well acquainted with death since her family runs the funeral parlor in their small southern town, but even so the ten- year-old is unprepared for the series of heart-wrenching events that begins on the first day of Easter vacation with the sudden death of her beloved great-uncle Edisto

The Jacket by Andrew Clements (2002) An incident at school forces sixth grader Phil Morelli, a white boy, to become aware of racial discrimination and segregation, and to seriously consider if he himself is prejudiced. Mr. Clements has written numerous stories which relate to life at school, including The Janitor’s Boy, Lunch Money and The Report Card and the 4th grade required summer reading book: A Week in the Woods.

Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles (2001) When her quirky grandmother goes to Hawaii for the summer, nine-year-old Ruby learns to survive on her own in Mississippi by writing letters, befriending chickens as well as the new girl in town, and finally coping with her grandfather's death.

Mandy by Julie Edwards (1989) Lonely for a place of her own, a ten-year-old orphan creates a secret home in a deserted cottage. A charming story of creativity and friendship. A favorite of every student who reads it.

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes (1941) Relates the adventures and misadventures of the four Moffat children living with their widowed mother in a yellow house on New Dollar Street in the small town of Cranbury, Connecticut. Sequels: The Middle Moffat, The Moffat Museum.

The Penderwicks: a Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (2005) While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother. Sequel: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street is on the 2009 list of Bluebonnet nominees.

Way Down Deep by Ruth White (2007) In the West Virginia town of Way Down Deep in the 1950s, a foundling called Ruby June is happily living with Miss Arbutus at the local boarding house when suddenly, after the arrival of a family of outsiders, the mystery of Ruby's past begins to unravel.

Sports

The Hockey Machine by Matt Christopher (1986) Abducted by a "fan" and forced to become a member of a professional junior hockey team, thirteen-year-old star center Steve Crandall quickly realizes that he must play not only to win but to survive. Matt Christopher is the “king” of sports fiction, and we have at least 15 other sports novels on subjects which include baseball, football, snowboarding, and skateboarding.

Hot Hand by Mike Lupica (2007) In the wake of his parents' separation, ten-year-old Billy seems to have continual conflicts with his father, who is also his basketball coach, but his quiet, younger brother Ben, a piano prodigy, is having even more trouble adjusting, and only Billy seems to notice. Other books in the series entitled Mike Lupica’s Comeback Kids: Two-Minute Drill [on this year’s Bluebonnet list]and Long Shot.

The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman (1997) Eleven-year-old Eddie gets a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot at the National Basketball Association finals. Other books in this sports series include: The Million Dollar Kick, The Million Dollar Putt, and The Million Dollar Goal.

Animal Stories

A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace (1980) Afraid of dogs since he was attacked by a mad one, Ricky resists taking in a homeless pup that shows up at the farm. If you didn’t try any Bill Wallace books during 3rd grade, please read at least one this year. His animal stories can be both humorous and poignant. Others include: The Backward Bird Dog, Beauty, No Dogs Allowed, etc.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson (1956) In the late 1860s in the Texas hill country, a big yellow dog and a fourteen-year-old boy form a close, loving relationship. This is Father Harmuth’s favorite book!

Carbonel: the King of Cats by Barbara Sleigh (1955) Rosemary wants to clean houses during summer break in order to earn some extra money, but her plans take a dramatic turn when an old woman talks her into buying a second-rate broom and an arrogant cat who enlists her help in freeing him from a witch's spell. This could also be classified as a fantasy, but I loved reading this book in 4th grade, and Carbonel will be a favorite character of all cat lovers.

2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominees

“Texas Bluebonnet” Reading Award An optional program There are 20 books on the 2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet list of nominees. In January 2010, any 3rd and 4th graders who have read at least 5 of the nominees are eligible to vote for their favorite book in the state-wide poll. In addition to this activity, ESD also sponsors our own reading incentive award program featuring the Texas Bluebonnet nominees. Read (or listen to someone read) ten (10) of the nominated books and write a summary of each book (please use the attached form) by May 3, 2010; and you will be recognized at the Honor Assembly. I have listed the books in order of easiest to hardest [R.L.= Reading Level,] with recommended grade levels and page numbers. [please note: students must read books from this list for the 2009-2010 school year, the 2010-2011 list will be released in January 2010, so don’t be confused if you see different books in the bookstores at that time. We will only count books on this list for the award.]

Stevens, Janet and Susan Stevens Crummel. 2008. Help Me, Mr. Mutt! [50 p. R.L. 2.3, recommended for gr. K-4.] Dogs across the United States write to Mr. Mutt, a people expert, for help with their humans.

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! [44 p. R.L. 2.8, recommended for gr. K-4.] An illustrated biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth that focuses on her experiences while her father was president of the United States.

Mora, Pat. 2007. ¡Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico!: America’s Sproutings. [32 p. R.L. 2.8, recommended for gr. K-4.] A collection of haiku celebrating indigenous foods of the Americas, such as blueberries and vanilla, also includes information about each food's origins.

Speck, Katie. 2007. Maybelle in the Soup. [57 p. R.L. 2.8, recommended for gr. K-4.] Mr. and Mrs. Peabody invite a guest to dinner, but Maybelle the cockroach, who lives under their refrigerator, ignores the warnings of Henry the flea to be sensible and ends up "splashing" into a big adventure.

Deedy, Carmen Agra. 2007. Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. [32 p. R.L.3.1, recommended for gr. K-4.] In this humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale, a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide whom to marry.

Holt, Kimberly Willis. 2007. Piper Reed: Navy Brat. [146 p., R.L. 3.5, recommended for gr. 2-4.] Piper is sad about leaving her home and friends behind when her father, a Navy aircraft mechanic, is transferred yet again, but with help from her often-annoying sisters and a surprise from their parents, she finds happiness in their new home in Pensacola, Florida.

Spinelli, Eileen. 2007. Where I Live. [112 p. R.L. 3.5, recommended for gr. 3-6.] In a series of poems, Diana writes about her life before and after her father loses his job and she and her family move far away to live with Grandpa Joe.

Look, Lenore. 2008. Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things. [172 p. R.L. 3.8, recommended for gr. 3-6.] A young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to make friends, but first he must overcome his fear of everything.

Bishop, Nic. 2008. Nic Bishop Frogs. [48 p. R.L. 3.8, recommended for gr. K-4.] Full-color, photographs help describe the characteristics and behaviors of a variety of frogs around the world.

Birdsall, Jeanne. 2008. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. [308 p., R.L. 5.8, recommended for gr. 3-6.] The four Penderwick sisters are faced with the unimaginable prospect of their widowed father dating, and they hatch a plot to stop him.

Birney, Betty G. 2008. Surprises According to Humphrey. [136 p. R.L. 4.3, recommended for gr. 3-6.] While continuing to help his classmates solve their problems, Humphrey, pet hamster of Longfellow School's Room 26, faces many surprises, like rolling in a hamster ball, wondering if a substitute janitor might be an alien, and the possibility of Mrs. Brisbane retiring.

Flaherty, A.W. 2007. The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating. [36 p. R.L. 4.7, recommended for gr. K-4.] A young American girl's picky eating habits transform a small worm into the famous Loch Ness monster.

Feldman, Jody. 2008. The Gollywhopper Games. [308 p., R.L. 4.4, recommended for gr. 4-6.] Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling money from Golly Toy and Game Company.

Schulman, Janet. 2008. Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City. [34 p., R.L. 5.2, recommended for gr. 3- 6.] Recounts the true story of Pale Male, a red-tailed hawk living in New York City who has become one of the city's most-watched celebrities and bird watchers, tourists, and residents admire the bird and his nest, built on a Fifth Avenue apartment building.

Rappaport, Doreen. 2008. Lady Liberty: A Biography. [42 p., R.L.6.2, recommended for gr. 3-6.] Presents an illustrated biography of the Statue of Liberty, describing who designed it and why, and how it came to become a symbol of the United States.

Lupica, Mike. 2007. Two-Minute Drill. [180 p. R.L. 5.2, recommended for gr. 3-6.] ] Brainy Scott, a great kicker who otherwise struggles with football, and star quarterback Chris, who has dyslexia, team up to help each other succeed in both football and school.

Neff, Henry H. 2007. The Hound of Rowan. [414 p. R.L. 5.9, recommended for gr. 4-8.] After glimpsing a hint of his destiny in a mysterious tapestry, twelve-year-old Max McDaniels becomes a student at Rowan Academy where he trains in "mystics and combat" in preparation for war with an ancient enemy that has been kidnapping children like him.

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. [ 88 p. R.L. 6.0, recommended for gr. 4-8.] Explores the history of Negro League baseball teams, discussing owners, players, hardships, wins, and losses; includes stunning illustrations.

Law, Ingrid. 2008. Savvy. [342 p. R.L. 6.6, recommended for gr. 5-8 ] Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible accident.

Name Classroom Teacher

Bluebonnet Book Summary

Directions: Please independently write at least a four sentence summary telling me about the book you read. Remember you are only hitting the highlights.

Title: Author: Book genre:

My rating of this book was because

◊awesome ◊good ◊o.k. ◊poor

Date completed Parent Signature

Name Classroom Teacher

Flying Angel Summary

Directions: Please independently write at least a four sentence summary telling me about the book you read. Remember you are only hitting the highlights.

Title: Author: Book genre:

My rating of this book was because

◊awesome ◊good ◊o.k. ◊poor Date completed

Parent Signature