AOSR Suggested Summer Reading List 2014 4th and 5th Grades

KEY  = Title is available on myOn * = Series

All book descriptions on this list were created by the ES Librarian or amazon.com or myOn.com.

FICTION

Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad by Monica Edinger This story, inspired by a true account, is about a 9-year-old girl from Sierra Leone who is captured by slavers and taken aboard the ship called the Amistad. Mutiny arises on the ship and when they arrive in the United States, court proceedings begin and the case reaches the Supreme Court.

A Girl Called Problem by Katie Quirk 13-year-old Shida, whose name means "problem" in Swahili, has lots of problems. Her father is dead, her mother is rumored to be a witch, her family is cursed, and everyone expects her to marry rather than pursue her dream. When the elders decide to move everyone to a nearby village, she welcomes the change. Unfortunately, mysterious calamities occur to her people after the move and she must prove to the entire village that life can be better in their new home.

*The Apothecary by Maile Meloy It’s 1952 and Janie and her family must flee to London from America because they are suspected to be Communists. Janie isn’t thrilled with London until she befriends Benjamin, a wannabe spy. Together they stumble upon a sinister, mysterious meeting which leads them on a thrilling adventure chockfull of twists and turns. This book is a spectacular blend of history, magic, science!

Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies by Andrea Beaty Hysterically funny summer camp adventures of twin brothers Joules and Kevin are anything but typical! Care for fluffy aliens and marshmallows, anyone?

A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler Jenni’s world is turned upside down when she steps out an elevator and realizes she has skipped an entire year! And life has not changed for the better. Can Jenni use the elevator to help change the past?

*Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea Told through alternating chapters from the perspective of seven very different 5th graders — the new kid, the bully, the prankster, the brainiac, the victim, the shy one, and the kid that hates school. This emotional story is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

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Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs Even though 12-year-old Teddy’s parents work at a theme park, Teddy’s summer has been more boring than fun. When Henry the Hippo dies under mysterious circumstances, however, Teddy finds himself in a whirlwind mystery because he is convinced that Henry was murdered!

*The Beyonders: A World Without Heroes; Seeds of Rebellion; Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull This New York Times bestselling epic fantasy trilogy features a boy named Jason who falls into a new world, called Lyrian. Unfortunately, Lyrian is ruled by a terrifying leader called Maldon. Jason goes on an extraordinary quest to bring him down. Will he achieve his goal?

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin The time has finally come for ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik to join the Soviet Young Pioneers. But on the very day that he is to become a member, everything goes very, very wrong.

*The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer Being Sherlock Holmes sister isn’t easy. But when Enola receives a desperate message from her dear friend Lady Cicely, Enola will do anything to help her---even if it means working with her brother.

Celia’s Robot by Margaret Chang 10-year-old Celia is messy and disorganized, so her father builds her a robot to help organize her life. High- tech Robot is part nanny, part housekeeper, and part friend, but Celia worries that Dad built Robot because her parents are too busy to take care of her. When Robot goes missing, Celia wonders if she's lost her father's love as well.

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen Wahoo Cray’s dad is an animal wrangler who was hired to work on a reality television show called Expedition Survival! Wahoo knows it’s not the animals who might cause problems: it’s the inept, egotistical and unpredictable TV host.

The Conch Bearer (Brotherhood of the Conch) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni In a dusty shack in modern day Calcutta, a kind healer entrusts 12-year-old Anand with a conch shell that possesses mystical powers. The healer gives him a challenging task: to return the shell to its rightful home, which is hundreds of miles away in the Himalayas! Will he manage to find his way?

Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld In these two delightful history-mysteries, seven boys in Ancient Rome solve strange crimes . . . thanks to some help from their cranky teacher, a little bit of logic, and a lot of amusing misadventure.

*Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road) by Kate Klise Junior Library Guild selection

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When the cranky, child-despising Ignatius B. Grumply, a children’s book author, moves into an old Victorian house, he’s surprised to learn he isn’t alone! An abandoned boy, cat, and a ghost are residing upstairs! Escape From Mr. Limoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein When the eccentric inventor of video and board games returns to his hometown to build a fabulous library he brings with him the most, wild challenge anyone has ever heard of. 7th grader Kyle Keeley desperately wants to be the winner but it will take skill, cleverness, and ultimately teamwork to get first place.

Far-Flung Adventures: Fergus Crane by Paul Stewart Life is pretty normal for Fergus Crane. Until a winged mechanical horse whisks him away, that is! Join Fergus’s adventure as he discovers that his “normal” life is anything but!

The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin 10-year-old Oona and her brother Fred fiercely love their cat Zook (short for Zucchini). Unfortunately, Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, Oona invents vivid, entertaining stories of his previous lives. Kids who love Junie B. Jones will love this book.

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventure by Kate DiCamillo Newbery Award A tragic accident with unexpected consequences. Ulysses, the squirrel, never saw the vacuum cleaner coming. Flora, the cynic, jumps in to save him. What happens next are physical and emotional revolutions and revelations that they never thought possible.

*Goddess Girls Books #1-4: Athena the Brain; Persephone the Phony; Aphrodite the Beauty; Artemis the Brave by Joan Holub A modern twist on classical myths. See how the goddesses of Mount Olympus Academy face challenges such as dealing with bullies, crushes, friendship, and family. This series is very popular at AOSR!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Newbery Award Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place—he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the old customs of his guardians' time as well as their ghostly teachings—such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead?

*The Grimm Conclusion (A Tale Dark & Grimm) by Adam Gidwitz 2 children venture through forests, flee kingdoms, face ogres and demons and monsters, and, ultimately, find their way home. Oh yes, and they may die. Just once or twice.

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech Written in verse, this lovely story has a lot of heart. Free-spirited Annie loves to run bare-footed with her running partner Max and to contemplate life as they run. Things are changing: her Mom is pregnant and her beloved Grandfather is slipping into dementia. Annie is a resilient, thoughtful girl who approaches life with spirit and self-awareness.

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*I Funny: A Middle School Story by James Patterson This highly-illustrated, heartfelt middle school story tells the tale of Jamie Grimm, a boy who dreams of being a world- famous comedian. He tries to focus on his dream despite the fact that his life is falling apart.

Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill Princess Violet is plain, reckless, and quite possibly too clever for her own good. One day she and her best friend, Demetrius, stumble upon a hidden room and find a peculiar book. It tells a story of an evil being--called the Nybbas--imprisoned in their world. The story cannot be true--not really. But then the whispers start. Violet and Demetrius, along with an ancient, scarred dragon, may hold the key to the Nybbas's triumph...or its demise. It all depends on how they tell the story.

Jinx by Sage Blackwood In this fantasy novel, an orphan named Jinx lives in the Urwald, a primeval forest filled with lurking trolls, wizards, witches. He’s well aware that if he steps off the path, he tangles with danger. Join Jinx on a suspenseful and magical adventure.

Leepike Ridge by N. D. Wilson The night Tom’s schoolteacher comes to dinner and asks Tom’s mother to marry him, Tom slips out of the house and escapes down a nearby stream on a floating slab of packing foam. The night and stars lull Tom to sleep, and when he wakes, he has ridden his foam raft all the way to the ridge, where the stream dives underground. What Tom finds under Leepike Ridge will answer questions he hadn’t known to ask, and change his life forever. Now, if only he can find his way home again. . . .

*The Lemonade War Series by Jacqueline Davies Dueling siblings, Evan and Jessie are smart, friendly, competitive and motivated. This series explores the difficulties of fairness in an unfair world.

Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud Ghosts, haunts, spirits, and specters are appearing throughout London. Only young people have the psychic abilities to see and eradicate them. Many different Psychic Detection Agencies have emerged and they are all in competition for business. Lucy Carlyle teams up with Anthony Lockwood, the leader of Lockwood & Co., a small agency independent of any adult supervision. After an assignment leads to both a grisly discovery and a disastrous end, they are forced to take part in the investigation of Combe Carey Hall, one of the most haunted houses in England.

*Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist by R. L. LaFevers It’s 1928 and 10-year-old Nathaniel’s parents have been declared lost-at-sea. He’s sent away to live with his aunt, a famous beastologist. The day after he arrives, she whisks him away to the Arabian desert to witness a phoenix lay an egg! Enjoy this delightful adventure today.

*The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization by Daniel Manus Pinkwater When shoelace heir Neddie Wentworthstein and his family take the train from Chicago to Los Angeles in the 1940s, he winds up in possession of a valuable Indian turtle artifact. Will this help Neddie and

4th and 5th Grade Suggested Summer Reading List 2014 Page 4 his pals as they pursue their quest to save civilization? *Neil Flambe and the Marco Polo Mysteries by Kevin Sylvester At 14-years-old, Neil Flambé is a world-renowned chef. On top of being a teenage chef, he is a talented crime solver that assists the local police inspector. The cases start to really hit home though when local chefs start dying. Neil is put on the case and needs to solve these murders quickly; before he is named as a suspect.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate Winner of the 2013 Newbery Award Inspired by a true story, this is the tale of an artistic gorilla named Ivan who spent most of his life performing for humans at a mall. Everything changes when he meets a baby elephant. This poignant tale is a deep story about humanity, bravery, and compassion. If you love Charlotte’s Web, you’ll want to read this book.

One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson Hal has always wanted a dog. His mother says “Never!” As a surprise for his 10th birthday though, his parents take him to Easy Pets to choose a dog. What Hal’s parents don’t tell him, however, is that Easy Pets is only a rent-a-pet agency and that the dog must go back later. Hal wakes up and his dog is gone. Hal realizes then that if he and his dog are to stay together forever they will have to run away.

Penelope Crumb by Shawn K. Stout Penelope Crumb is no ordinary 4th grader. And when she discovers that she *gasp* has a big nose, she’s initially devastated. But when her mother lets her know that she has the same nose as her Grandpa, Penelope perks up. And then she perks up even more when she finds out that Grandpa isn't dead like she expected--he's just gone. And she decides that it's her job to find him. A sweet and funny story with tons of heart and hijinx!

Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked by Jarrett Krosoczka Meet platypus police detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O’Malley. When a call comes in about a crime down at the docks involving a missing schoolteacher and a duffle bag full of illegal fish, Zengo and O’Malley are going to have to learn to set their differences aside if they want to get to the bottom of this. Especially when the clues all point to Frank Pandini Jr., Kallamazoo’s first son and its most powerful, well-respected businessman.

*The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest alchemist of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty.

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson Jack’s mom is gone, leaving him all alone on a campsite in Maine. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south. This journey will test his wits, his loyalties and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all. Can he find his way back to Boston before the authorities realize what happened?

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay Andi is short and has a lot of wishes. She wishes she could play on the school basketball team, she wishes for her own bedroom, but most of all she wishes that her long-lost half-brother, Bernardo, could come and live in London with her. Andi's biggest wish comes true and as she waits anxiously for Bernardo to arrive from the Philippines, she hopes he'll turn out to be tall and just as crazy as she is about basketball. When

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he finally arrives, he's tall all right. Eight feet tall, in fact—plagued by a condition called Gigantism and troubled by secrets that he believes led to his phenomenal growth. *The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine Intuitive identical twins, Edgar and Allen (descendants of Edgar Allen Poe) are a bit mischievous. When their beloved cat Roderick Usher is catnapped and smuggled to the Midwest, the boys convince their guardians to take them on a road-trip in search of him. Hilarity and hi-jinx ensue naturally.

*Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis Meet "detective" Timmy Failure, CEO of the best detective agency in town, Total Failure Inc. If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you will love Timmy Failure.

*The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins When Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. Can he find the strength and courage to protect his family, and stand up against an army of giant rats?

Ungifted by Gordon Korman The word gifted has never been applied to a kid like Donovan Curtis. It's usually more like Don't try this at home. So when the troublemaker pulls a major prank at his middle school, he realizes that maybe he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a special program for gifted and talented students.

Vive La Paris by Esme Raji Codell 5th grader Paris McCray reveals what she has discovered about life in the process of taking piano lessons from Mrs. Rosen, a Holocaust survivor with a sense of humor. Paris is an explorer of her universe and words matter to her. Her naïveté and, at times, ignorance cause her to make mistakes, but she begins to understand the choices of those around her.

When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park Drawing from her own family’s story, Park writes about Korean siblings Sun-hee and Tae-yul. During the 1940s, when Japan occupied Korea, the Korean people were forbidden to speak their native language, forcing them to adopt new Japanese names, speak Japanese, and make many changes. This is a powerful tale that highlights the struggles of hardships, families, and friendships but also the power of hope.

Non Fiction

A Really Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson Tackling everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, get some answers to your questions that start with why, how, and, who.

*A Street Through Time by Anne Millard In a series of fourteen fascinating illustrations, the award-winning A Street Through Time tells the story of human history by exploring a street as it evolves from 10,000 BCE to the present day! This book is a great conversation starter and is highly interactive.

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 *Captured History by various authors Can a photograph change the world? The answer is yes! Captured History explores how a single moment captured on film can influence society and change the course of history. Combining art, history, and media literacy, this series looks at some of the most famous photographs and details how and why these images resonate today and what effect they had when they were published.

Chuck Close: A Face Book by Chuck Close This fascinating, interactive autobiography presents Chuck Close’s story, his art, and a discussion of the many fascinating processes he uses in the studio. Close, who is wheelchair-bound and paints with a brush strapped to his arm, discusses the severe dyslexia and face blindness he has struggled with since childhood.

 *The Crude, Unpleasant Age of Pirates: The Disgusting Details about the Life of Pirates by Christopher Forest From cramped quarters and salty, rotten food to bloody battles and deadly storms at sea, life aboard a pirate ship was downright unpleasant. Get ready to explore the nasty side of pirate life.

Do Not Open by John Fardon Chock full of secret codes, mysteries, freaky facts and mysteries: explore what lies between the known and the unknown! This is a very popular book at AOSR.

Elephant Talk: The Surprising Science of Elephant Communication by Ann Downer While searching for food in the forest, elephants often lose sight of one another, but at the end of the day, in one coordinated movement, the elephants suddenly regroup. Research has shown that elephants have a complex communication system. Will understanding elephant talk be the key to saving the species?

 *Everyday Science by various authors Science rules the school! Whether explaining the puzzling creations of the school cafeteria or exploring the mysteries of the teen brain, this book offers cool clues and insights into what really makes a school come alive.

 *From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas by various authors Behind many of the world’s great successes are failures, disasters, and bad ideas. This series uses a countdown approach to describe memorable failures from around the world. It also shows what the world has gained as a result of each failure.

Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd Chip Kidd explains not just the elements of design including: form, line, color, scale, typography—but most importantly, how to use those elements in creative ways. He writes about scale: When a picture looks good small, don’t stop there—see how it looks when it’s really small or really big. Learn all sorts of tricks to making your art work look its best!

The Illustrated Guide to Rocks & Minerals: How to Find, Identify and Collect the World's Most Fascinating Specimens, featuring over 800 Stunning Photographs and Artworks by John Farndon In this incredible reference book, amateur geologists will learn how to identify and extract samples safely, clean and store specimens, and build and present their own unique collection.

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 *Man on the Moon: How a Photograph Made Anything Seem Possible by Pamela Dell It is a bizarrely beautiful image: A man in a spacesuit stands isolated in an alien world. His companion, the photographer, and their landing craft are reflected in his visor. This photograph, taken by Neil Armstrong of fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin, is the most famous of America’s 1969 moon landing.

National Geographic Kids Ultimate Globetrotting World Atlas by National Geographic Kids This bold and vibrant world atlas is full of fun facts, fascinating information, easy-to-read maps, lots of games, and vibrant pictures of everything from wacky hotels around the world to natural and man- made wonders.

Not-for-parents Rome: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know by Klay Lamprell Even your parents probably don’t know about the Rome highlighted in this book: for instance, can you imagine eating a flamingo’s tongue for lunch? Just wait until you read the incredible stories and tales about our fair city documented in this book!

 *Photography For Teens by Jason Skog Improve your photography skills by learning the tricks of the trade. It doesn’t matter whether you are using a digital camera or a cell phone, you can still learn the best strategies for setting a scene, capturing a memory or work on your art.

Rip the Page!: Adventures in Creative Writing by Karen Benke Use this everything-you-need guide to inspiring poems and spark storytelling, including fanciful lists of big, small, gross-out, and favorite words.

Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond by David A. Aguilar Explore the latest exciting findings on space exploration and research, along with cutting-edge, spectacular pictures of the universe that technology is bringing back to Earth.

 *Teen Cookbook by Dana Meachen Rau Cooking can be fun, and it's even more fun when it is done with and for friends. The Compass Point Teen Cookbooks not only teach readers how to make delicious food, but also how to have fun doing it. Exciting recipes, plus tips for entertaining and collaborating with friends, make these the perfect cookbooks for the teen lifestyle.

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Mythology/Folktales

A Child's Introduction to Greek Mythology: The Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, Monsters, and Other Mythical Creatures by Heather Alexander Packed with action, adventure, tragedy and triumph, you will meet gods and goddesses from Apollo to Hades. You will also meet nymphs, satyrs, centaurs, and the mortal descendents of Zeus, such as Hercules and Midas. Sidebars feature word definitions, fun facts, games and projects.

Greece! Rome! Monsters! by John Harris This book presents 20 creepy creatures--from harpies to Medusa herself to the fire-breathing Chimera. It includes a pronunciation guide and a pop quiz that will test if you’ve been paying attention.

The Incredible Voyage of Ulysses by Bimba Landmann The Greek poet Homer's epic tale is retold in this graphic book. Ulysses never imagines that after defeating the Trojans, his journey home will be another 10-year quest in which he must confront all kinds of terrifying obstacles, including giant cannibals, one-eyed monsters and the tempting song of sea nymphs who try to lure him and his men to their death.

Indian Children’s Favourite Stories by Rosemarie Somaiah This delightful collection of Indian folk tales-retold for an international audience-contains beautifully illustrated stories that provide an insight into the traditional culture and history of India. Retold here are the wonderful tales of how the Lord Krishna escapes the evil Kamsa's repeated attempts to kill him, and how the elephant keeper's daughter Rani humbles an unwise and unjust king by emptying his storehouses of rice.

 *Myth-O-Mania by Kate McMullan Kate McMullan's popular series, Myth-O-Mania, is back in print! Get the real truth behind the most famous Greek myths straight from Hades, King of the Underworld. Find out if Zeus is really the god you think he is in these humorous and engaging parodies.

Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela In these beloved stories we meet a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads, and tricksters from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena, and we learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Translated from their original languages—Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, and many others.

The Odyssey by Gillian Cross As Odysseus struggles to make it home from his 10-year journey from the Trojan War, his wife, Penelope, fights a different kind of battle. Her palace is invaded by forceful, greedy men who tell her that Odysseus is dead and that she must choose a new husband. Will Odysseus reach her in time?

Pegasus by Marianna Mayer Condemned by a jealous king, Bellerophon must win the trust of the legendary winged horse Pegasus or face certain death. This book is a magnificent retelling of the timeless Greek classic that stirs the imagination of young and old folks alike.

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Persephone by Sally Pomme Clayton When the beautiful young goddess Persephone is snatched from her home by Hades, god of the Underworld, and taken away to live underground and become his bride, her mother, Demeter, goddess of Earth, is so brokenhearted that she curses the land so nothing can grow—a permanent winter. How will Persephone and her mother be reunited?

Roman Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean This is a wonderfully rich and varied collection of 15 stories from Roman mythology. It is freshly retold and made accessible for today's readers.

Treasury of Chinese Folk Tales: Beloved Myths and Legends from the Middle Kingdom by Shelley Fu A wonderful collection of 7 classic Chinese stories that make for great reading adventures. From the stories of Pan Gu and Nu Wo, creators of the world, to Bai Su-Tzin, a snake who took on human form and found true love, this mesmerizing book includes myths of creation, mortality and love.

Treasury of Egyptian Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Monsters & Mortals by Donna Jo Napoli The engrossing storytelling of award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli dramatizes the timeless tales of ancient Egypt.

POETRY

Pizza, Pigs and Poetry by Jack Prelutsky Have you ever tried to write a poem about a pizza? How about a pig? Or your parents? If you are a poet, want to be a poet, or if you have to write a poem for homework and you just need some help, this is the book for you! Get the inside scoop on writing poetry and learn how you can turn your own experiences and stories about your family, your pets, and your friends into poems.

Poems to Learn by Heart by Caroline Kennedy Caroline Kennedy has chosen more than a 100 poems that speak to all of us: the young and young at heart, readers new to poetry and devoted fans. These poems explore deep emotions, as well as ordinary experiences. They cover the range of human experience and imagination. Divided into sections about nature, sports, monsters and fairies, friendship and family, this book is full of surprises.

Poetrees by Douglas Florian Seeds are sprouting, roots are spreading, and branches are swaying in this tree-mendous poetry collection. From coconut palms and bristlecone pines to baobabs and banyans, Douglas Florian explores the arboreal world with his signature wit and whimsy. Featuring a dynamic vertical format that illustrates the incredible heights and shapes of the trees, this book illuminates the natural history of these majestic beings as well as their unique and quirky characteristics.

*Poetry for Young People: Rudyard Kipling by Eileen Gillooly With dedication to the structure, rhythm, and rhyme of his craft, Kipling created poetry that, when read aloud, sings to its audience in every phase.

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Poetry for Young People: William Carlos Williams by Christopher MacGowan Exquisite paintings by the distinguished artist Robert Crockett make every page a treat to look at and truly illuminate the poems. Among the poems included here are "Dawn" with its lovely evocation of bird song and flight and a witty verse that imitates the sounds of freight trains passing by the station near his home.

BIOGRAPHY

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee From Amelia Earhart, pilot and adventurer, to Zora Neal Hurston, writer and anthropologist, learn about the hardships and triumphs that inspired each woman to change the world around her. This is a delightful and engaging read.

Cesar Chavez: Fighting for Farmworkers by Eric Braun A biography about the life of labor leader Cesar Chavez and the boycotts he led to gain fair working conditions for farmers. Written in graphic novel format.

Gandhi: A March to the Sea by Alice B. McGinty Mohandas Gandhi’s 24-day March to the Sea, from March 12 to April 5, 1930, was a pivotal moment in India’s quest to become an independent country. With over 70 marchers, Gandhi walked from his hometown to the seacoast to protest the taxes that Great Britain had imposed on salt that Great Britain forced them to buy.

Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist by Q. L. Pearce Born in 1876 on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Zitkala-Sa willingly left her home at age 8 to go to a boarding school in Indiana. But she soon found herself caught between two worlds-- white and Native American. Read her incredible life story.

Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sís When Peter was a boy, his father was drafted and sent from his native Czechoslovakia to China to teach people the art of documentary filmmaking. Unfortunately, he ended up in Tibet for 2 years, without being able to contact his family while he experienced hardships. This captivating book intertwines his father’s diary entries with Peter’s childhood memories and Tibetan culture.

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot by Lauren Stringer The Russian artists Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky were popular in their time: Stravinsky for music, Nijinsky for dance. When their radically new ballet, The Rite of Spring, was first performed in Paris on May 29, 1913, the reaction was so polarized, there were fistfights and riots! Brilliant or disastrous, the performance marked the birth of modern music and dance.

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When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Carrick Laban Hill Before there was hip hop, there was DJ Kool Herc. From his childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx, Laban Carrick Hill's book tells how Kool Herc came to be a DJ, how kids in gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to define a culture and transform the world.

*Who Was Leonardo da Vinci? by Roberta Edwards Leonardo da Vinci was a gifted painter, talented musician, and dedicated scientist and inventor, designing flying machines, submarines, and even helicopters. Yet he had a hard time finishing things, a problem anyone can relate to. This is an accessible portrait of a remarkable man who lived at a fascinating time—Italy during the Renaissance.

World History Biographies: Elizabeth I: The Outcast Who Became England's Queen by Simon Adams Elizabeth I is known for her courage and keen awareness of her responsibility as a ruler. Learn all about her reign and the tough decisions she faced.

Graphic Novels

*Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Explore a world of terrible, man- eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot and two ordinary children on a mission.

*Explorer: The Mystery Books Paperback by Kazu Kibuishi 7 clever stories answer one simple question: what’s in the box? Funny, fantastic, spooky, and suspenseful, each of these unique and beautifully illustrated short graphic works revolves around a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels—or mayhem—inside.

*Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (Olympians) by George O'Connor Readers are introduced to the Queen of the Gods and Goddesses in the Pantheon. This volume tells the tales of the many heroes who sought and won Hera’s patronage, most notably Hercules.

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne Axel and his uncle find a note that describes a path to Earth’s center! The men climb deep inside a volcano and discover amazing wonders. They also run into danger, which could trap them below the surface forever.

Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell A sleepy little township in England is delighted when a ferocious monster moves in. Set in the 1860’s, this unique and fantastical tale is a fun romp for readers of all ages.

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*Mouse Guard by David Petersen Eisner Award In the world of Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper amongst harsh conditions and a host of predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed; more than just soldiers, they are guides for common mice looking to journey from one hidden village to another.

*Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale Each of the books in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales has elements of the strange but true and is presented in an engaging, funny format, highlighting the larger-than-life characters that pop up in real history.

*Peanuts by Charles Schulz Featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang! Fans of all ages will adore this book series for its simple virtues and classic humor.

*Salt Water Taffy: The Legend of Old Salty (The Seaside Adventures of Jack and Benny) by Matthew Loux 11-year-old Jack Putnam and his 8-year-old brother Benny are being dragged against their will on a summer-long vacation with their family. And not to somewhere cool like Disney World, but to a little port town in Maine named Chowder Bay, far away from anyplace fun. But what promises to be a very bleak summer quickly becomes a series of exciting adventures in one of the most mysterious places on earth!

Smile by Raina Telgemeier Enjoy this humorous coming-of-age true account about the dental drama that ensues after a trip- and-fall mishap.

*Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffery Brown Roan Novachez thought he was destined to attend Pilot Academy Middle School, just as his older brother and father did. He is crushed when he is rejected by Pilot Academy, but is then accepted into a sketchy new school called Coruscant Jedi Academy. Roan has no idea what to expect at the academy and feels pressured after learning he is the oldest student there. Confused and struggling to keep up, Roan tries to fly under the radar and passes the time drawing comics of his daily life at his strange boarding school.

T-minus: The Race to the Moon by Jim Ottaviani, Zander Cannon, Kevin Cannon. This graphic fictionalized retelling of the moon landing tells the exciting story of 2 world superpowers racing to land a man on the moon. It is depicted through compelling artwork, taking readers through the history of the race and turning the engineers and astronauts involved into vivid and real characters!

Want more suggestions? Check out Suggested Summer Reading Lists from previous years here: http://www.aosr.org/page.cfm?p=585

4th and 5th Grade Suggested Summer Reading List 2014 Page 13

Want more suggestions? Check out Suggested Summer Reading Lists from previous years here: http://www.aosr.org/page.cfm?p=585

Bookstores in Rome Almost Corner Bookstore Via del Moro, 45 tel 06 583 6942 (Trastevere) Anglo-American Bookstore Via delle Vite, 102 tel. 06 679 522 (Spanish Steps) Feltrinelli Largo Argentina, 6 tel 06 6893121 (Largo Argentina) Feltrinelli International Via V.E. Orlando, 84/86 tel 06 482 7878 (Piazza Exedra near Piazza della Republica) Open Door Bookshop Vial della Lungaretta 23 tel 06 589 6478 (Trastevere)

Online Bookstores

Amazon in Italy: www.amazon.it Fabulous, fast online book store. Book Depository www.bookdepository.co.uk Terrific online book store with free shipping worldwide!

4th and 5th Grade Suggested Summer Reading List 2014 Page 14