TENAFLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUMMER READING LIST For students entering grades 4 & 5
Dear Parents and Students,
It is our absolute pleasure to share the 2021 Summer Reading List with you!
The district summer reading list was compiled to include a variety of genres, interest levels, and diverse authors. These are only recommendations, NOT requirements. We highly encourage you to explore other titles and authors of interest as well.
It is most important that students continue to read over the summer. Our goal is to develop lifelong readers by providing positive reading experiences.
Reading has many benefits. Research has proven that reading…
· Exercises your brain · Teaches you about the world around you · Improves your vocabulary · Leads to more highly-developed language skills · Develops your imagination · Encourages empathy
Don’t forget to use your local public library and all of the resources they provide, including electronic books at http://tenafly.bccls.org/.
Link to READsquared TPS 4 -5 summer list from Tenafly Public Library: http://tenaflylibrary.readsquared.com/ReadingListPublic.aspx?LIST=TPS%204th%20-%205th%20Grade%20 2021%20Summer%20Reading
Happy Reading!
Sincerely,
Dawn Zeig- Mackay School Librarian Luiza Herbst- Maugham School Librarian Jennifer Griffiths- Smith School Librarian Jill Brave- Stillman School Librarian Lisa Krommenhoek- Literacy Staff Developer
Tenafly Public Schools https://www.tenaflyschools.org Fiction Titles A Tale Dark and Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat All’s Faire in Middle School, by Victoria Jamieson Aru Shah and the End of Time, by Chokshi Roshan Be Prepared, by Vera Brosgol Bob, by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead Camp Average, by Craig Battle Crossover, by Kwame Alexander Dragon Pearl, by Yoon Ha Lee Fourteenth Goldfish, by Jennifer Holm Front Desk, by Kelly Yang Guts, by Raina Telgemeier Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson Jefferson's Sons, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Merci Suarez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate Other Words for Home, by Jasmine Warga Sal & Gabi Break The Universe, by Carlos Hernandez Saving Winslow, by Sharon Creech Season of Styx Malone, by Kekla Magoon Stand up, Yumi Chung!, by Jessica Kim Stargazing, by Jen Wang Stella Díaz Never Gives Up, by Angela Dominguez Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen, by Candace Fleming The List of Things That Will Not Change, by Rebecca Stead The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane, by Kate O'Shaughnessy The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, by Stacy McAnulty The Unteachables, by Gordon Korman The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, by Karina Yan Glaser The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradleyer Threads, by Ami Polonsky Ungifted, by Gordon Korman Ways to Make Sunshine, by Renee Watson We Dream of Space, by Erin Entrada Kelly When The Sea Turned To Silver, by Grace Lin When You Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller Word of Mouse, by James Patterson You Go First, by Erin Entrada Kelly Nonfiction Titles
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, by Candace Fleming Angel Island, by Russell Freedman Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson Crossing on Time, by David Macaulay Dazzle ships: World War I and The Art of Confusion, by Chris Barton Echo Echo: Reverso Poems About Greek Myths, by Marilyn Singer Flying Lessons & Other Stories, by Ellen Oh Have You Heard About Lady Bird? Poems About Our First Ladies, by Marilyn Singer Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous, by Georgia Bragg In Search of Sasquatch, by Kelly Milner Halls Lemonade, and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word, by Bob Raczka Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein, by Linda Bailey Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, by Brian Floca New Kid, by Jerry Craft Radiant Child: The Story of Jean-Michel Basquait, by Javaka Steptoe Rocket to the Moon!, by Don Brown Some Writer: The Story of E.B. White, by Melissa Sweet Stargazing, by Jen Wang Surviving the Hindenburg, by Larry Verstraete The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents, by Kate Messner The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, by Rita Lorraine Hubbard The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins and Her New Deal for America, by Kathleen Krull The Red Bandanna (Young Readers Adaptation), by Tom Rinaldi When Stars are Scattered, by Victoria Jamieson White Bird, by R.J. Palacio Series
A Series of Unfortunate Events, By Lemony Snickett Flashback Four, by Dan Gutman I Funny, by James Patterson I Survived, by Lauren Tarshis Keeper of the Lost Cities, by Shannon Messenger Land of Stories, by Chris Colfer Magnus Chase, by Rick Riordan Spy School, by Stuart Gibbs The Baby-Sitters Club, by Ann Martin The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies The Sisters Grimm, by Michael Buckley The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger The Story Thieves, by James Riley The Tapper Twins, by Geoff Rodkey The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann Timmy Failure, by Stephan Pastis Whatever After, by Sarah Mlynowski Wings of Fire, by Tui T. Sutherland Who Was? Who Is? What Is?, by Various Authors Additional Information
Please note that many of these titles are available in other languages. Reading in a student’s native language supports literacy development when learning a second language.
Summer FAQ
What “type” of reading is most important for my child to do over the summer?
The adage, “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” proves true for a child who does not read over the summer. There is no particular “type” of reading that is most important for your child; however, the best way for any child to maintain or improve their reading skills is to read.
Allow your child to pick a variety of summer books that are of interest to them. It is important, however, that children do not read books that are too difficult. “Harder books” often deal with themes and issues that are more mature. These texts, while perhaps “readable” or “decodable” by your child, may not be developmentally appropriate for your child’s age.
Also, please keep in mind that just because a reader can read each word on the page smoothly and without error, does not mean that he/she is able to comprehend the sophisticated themes and layered plot lines that these texts may contain.