Far Hills Country Day School
Intermediate School Summer Reading List 2012 Grades 3-5
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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Table of Contents Page 3 Introduction Pages 4-5 Third grade Pages 6-7 Fourth grade Pages 8-9 Fifth grade Page 10 Newbery Award Winning Books Page 11 Award Winning Informational Books Page 12-13 Great websites about books for kids
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Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
Welcome To the Far Hills Country Day School Summer Reading List for 2012! Please use these lists as a guide for great summer reading! The books listed here are suggestions based on selections from School Library Journal, the American Library Association, and Winners! Best books list from Judy Freeman, children’s literature consultant. The local public libraries and bookstores near FHCDS have a copy.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A BOOK YOU WILL ENJOY 1. Try the “five finger” test on each book to make sure that the book is a good fit for your reading level. • Read a page in the book that is filled with text. • Each time you do not know a word, put a finger up. • If you get 4 or 5 words on a page, 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 your librarian for suggestions! Happy Reading!
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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Third grade
Realistic Fiction The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. Relates episodes in seven-year-old Julian's life which include getting into trouble with his younger brother Huey, planting a garden, what he did to try to grow taller, losing a tooth, and finding a new friend. Amber Brown is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger. (series) Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are best friends. They've known each other for practically forever, sit next to each other in class, help each other with homework, and always stick up for each other. Justin never says things like, "Amber Brown is not a crayon." Amber never says, "Justin Time." They're a great team—until disaster strikes. Justin has to move away, and now the best friends are fighting. Will they be able to work it out before it's too late. The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. (series) When it comes to tackling third grade, Clementine is at the top of her game—okay, so maybe not all the time. After her teacher announces that the third and fourth graders will be putting on a talent show, Clementine panics. She doesn’t sing or dance or play an instrument. She can’t even hop with finesse. And as if she didn't feel bad enough, her perfect best friend, Margaret, has so many talents, she has to alphabetize them to keep them straight. Alone in His Teacher’s House by Louis Sachar. ...when Mrs. North asks him to dog-sit for a week. He gets $3 a day, plus a $4 bonus if nothing goes wrong. And he gets to be alone in Mrs. North's house! But pretty soon it starts to look as if Marvin won't be getting his bonus. Maybe he's not so lucky after all...
Frindle by Andrew Clements. Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. Who can forget the time he turned his third-grade classroom into a tropical island, or the times he fooled his teacher by chirping like a blackbird? But now Nick's in fifth grade, and it looks like his days as a troublemaker are over. Everyone knows that Mrs. Granger, the language arts teacher, has X-ray vision, and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she's also a fanatic about the dictionary, which is hopelessly boring to Nick. The Gold Threaded Dress by Carolyn Marsden. In Thailand, Oy was called by her own name, but in her first school in America, the teacher renames her Olivia. Everything else is different too. The other girls leave her out of their games, and a boy named Frankie teases her. Then Liliandra, a popular girl in the class, sees a photo of Oy in her Thai dancing dress and offers to let Oy into her club if she brings the dress to school. Oy knows that would be a betrayal of her family’s traditions, but she wants so much to belong. At home, fingering the pink silk of her dress, Oy makes a decision. Missing! A Cat Called Buster by Wendy Orr.Buster isn’t fluffy or pretty like other cats—he’s a crazy orange cat with attitude. And Mr. Larsen is the exact right person for him. Every morning Buster and Mr. Larsen sit on their porch in the sun, and every morning Josh sees them when he walks to school.
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Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
Third Grade
Fantasy/Adventure Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Toni DiTerlizzi. (series) When the Grace children go to stay at their Great Aunt Lucinda's worn Victorian house, they discover a field guide to fairies and other creatures and begin to have some unusual experiences.
Bunnicula by James Howe. BEWARE THE HARE! Is he or isn't he a vampire? Before it's too late, Harold the dog and Chester the cat must find out the truth about the newest pet in the Monroe household -- a suspicious-looking bunny with unusual habits...and fangs! The Borrowers by Mary Norton. (series)The Borrowers—the Clock family: Homily, Pod, and their fourteen-year-old daughter, Arrietty, to be precise—are tiny people who live underneath the kitchen floor of an old English country manor. All their minuscule home furnishings, from postage stamp paintings to champagne cork chairs, are “borrowed” from the “human beans” who tromp around loudly above them. All is well until Pod is spotted upstairs by a human boy! The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles by Julie Edwards The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world. Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals — the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka (series) When Joe, Fred, and Sam are sent back in time by a magic book, they find themselves face-to-face with giants, dragons, wizards, and the Knights of the Round Table. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White Some pig! These words that Charlotte spins into her web to describe Wilbur cause plenty of excitement, and ultimately, help save his life. First published in 1952, this heartwarming classic about likable pig and his loyal spider friend shows readers that true friendships last forever.
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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Fourth Grade
Realistic Fiction
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass. After celebrating their first nine same-day birthdays together, Amanda and Leo, having fallen out on their tenth and not speaking to each other for the last year, prepare to celebrate their eleventh birthday separately but peculiar things begin to happen as the day of their birthday begins to repeat itself over and over again.
Other books by Andrew Clements
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. (series)This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventure.
No Talking by Andrew Clements. It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication. In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life that made Frindle an instant classic.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. One summer day, Opal goes into a supermarket and comes out with a scraggly dog that she names Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, her preacher father finally tells her ten things about her absentee mother, and Opal makes lots of unusual friends in her quirky Florida town. And because of Winn-Dixie, Opal grows to learn that friendship — and forgiveness — can sneak up on you like a sudden storm. The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman. The unlikely foursome made up of a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker — Brenton, Sam "Snick,", Judy and Kelsey, respectively, — are bound together by one very big secret: the homework machine. Because the machine, code named Belch, is doing their homework for them, they start spending a lot of time together, attracting a lot of attention. And attention is exactly what you don't want when you are keeping a secret. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. Unfortunately, Roy’s first acquaintance in Florida is Dana Matherson, a well-known bully. Then again, if Dana hadn’t been sinking his thumbs into Roy’s temples and mashing his face against the school-bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy. And the running boy is intriguing: he was running away from the school bus, carried no books, and–here’s the odd part–wore no shoes. Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech. Mary Lou Finney is less than excited about her assignment to keep a journal over the summer. Boring! Then cousin Carl Ray comes to stay with her family, and what starts out as the dull dog days of summer quickly turns into the wildest roller-coaster ride of all time.
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Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
Fourth Grade
Fantasy /Adventure Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four childrentwo boys and two girls-succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by David Selznick. ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book. In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle. This is because not very many happy things happened in the lives of the three Baudelaire youngsters. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. A young boy escapes from two wicked aunts and embarks on a series of adventures with six giant insects he meets inside a giant peach.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was published in 1950, and it was the book that first introduced readers to the World of Narnia. Years later, in 1955, Lewis wrote a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, entitled The Magician's Nephew. While The Magician's Nephew was the sixth Narnia book to be written, many readers prefer to begin the series with The Magician's Nephew Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Doomed to—or blessed with—eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing that it might seem. Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. A nine-year-old boy receives a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life in the cupboard and befriends him. Half Magic by Edgar Eager. Faced with a dull summer in the city, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha suddenly find themselves involved in a series of extraordinary adventures after Jane discovers an ordinary-looking coin that seems to grant wishes. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost. . .
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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Fifth Grade
Fantasy/Adventure The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever! Redwall (series) by Brian Jacques. The question in this epic first volume is resoundingly clear: What can the peace-loving mice do to defend themselves against Cluny and his army of rats? If only they had the sword of Martin the Warrior, they might have a chance. But the legendary weapon has long been forgotten -- except, that is, by the bumbling young apprentice ...
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) by Rick Riordan. After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-yearold 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. Gregor the Overlander (series) by Suzanne Collins. This irresistible first novel tells the story of a quiet boy who embarks on a dangerous quest in order to fulfill his destiny -- and find his father -- in a strange world beneath New York City.
The Warriors (series) by Erin Hunter. Fire alone can save our Clan...For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by the powerful ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying -- and some deaths are more mysterious than others. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. Playing with the form he created in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey.
DragonRider by Cornelia Funke. Another magical story from the bestselling author of The Thief Lord and Inkheart. When their peaceful valley is threatened with danger, Firedrake, a silverskinned dragon, and his sidekick, Sorrel, set off to find the mythical Rim of Heaven -- the only place in the world where dragons can be safe forever. The Emerald Atlas by John Stevens. Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
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Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
Fifth Grade
Realistic Fiction The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. When Aunt Gloria’s son, Salim, mysteriously disappears from a sealed pod on the London Eye, everyone is frantic. Has he spontaneously combusted? [Ted’s theory.] Has he been kidnapped? [Aunt Gloria’s theory.] Is he even still alive? [The family’s unspoken fear. Wonder by Patricia Palacio. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid— but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica. Chris Conlan is the coolest kid in sixth grade?the golden-armed quarterback of the football team and the boy all the others look up to. Scott Parry is the new kid, the boy with the huge brain, but with feet that trip over themselves. These two boys may seem like an odd couple, but each has a secret that draws them together, and proves that the will to succeed is even more important than raw talent. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. School is out and Jack Gantos is planning to have an adventurous summer. It takes him about two days into his summer vacation to get grounded by his mother for the entire summer. Locked in his room, he escapes by reading books. A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements. Mark didn't ask to move to New Hampshire. Or to go to a hick school like Hardy Elementary. And he certainly didn't request Mr. Maxwell as his teacher. Mr. Maxwell doesn't like rich kids, or slackers, or know-it-alls. And he's decided that Mark is all of those things. Now the whole school is headed out for a week of camping. Junonia by Kevin Henkes Returning to the beach cottage—a cottage named Scallop—where she has always celebrated her birthday is a special occasion for Alice Rice. Who will see the first dolphin this time? The first pelican? What will have changed? Stayed the same? And will this be the year she finally finds a junonia shell?Alice's friends are all returning, too. And she's certain her parents have the best party planned for her. Alice can't wait. If Alice is lucky, everything will be absolutely perfect. Will Alice be lucky?
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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Newbery Award Winning Books
Medal Winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, published by HarperCollins Children's Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers Ivan’s transformative emergence from the “Ape at Exit 8” to “The One and Only Ivan, Mighty Silverback,” comes to life through the gorilla’s own distinct narrative voice, which is filled with wry humor, deep emotion and thought-provoking insights into the nature of friendship, hope and humanity. 2013 Honor Books Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz, published by Candlewick Press Lizzie Rose, Parsefall and Clara are caught in the clutches of a wicked puppeteer and a powerful witch in this deliciously dark and complex tale set in Dickensian England, where adventure and suspense are interwoven into nuanced explorations of good versus evil. Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin, published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press. Balancing intersecting threads of scientific discovery, political intrigue and military strategy, “Bomb” is a riveting historical nonfiction drama. Sheinkin’s engaging narrative explores the complex series of events that led to the creation of the ultimate weapon and introduces many memorable personalities involved in the pursuit. Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage, published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. In the rich tradition of Southern storytelling, rising sixth-grader Mo LoBeau leads the eccentric residents of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, on a rollicking journey of mystery, adventure and small-town intrigue as she investigates a murder and searches for her long-lost mother. 10
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
2013 Sibert Award Winners – Informational Boooks
2013 Medal Winner Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon,” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press. A riveting thriller told in three parallel stories: the race against time to build the world's first atomic bomb; the determination to stop the Nazis from developing it first; and the stealthy efforts of Soviet spies to steal the American plans. “Sheinkin’s page-turning narrative is a thrilling introduction to the science, history, politics and intrigue behind events that changed our world forever,” said Sibert Medal Committee Chair Kathie L. Meizner. 2013 Honor Books Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, written and illustrated by Robert Byrd and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group Renaissance man and American founding father, Benjamin Franklin, surges to life in “Electric Ben.” From the electrifying cover to the colonial newspaper format, Byrd’s life of Benjamin Franklin sparkles with as much energy—written and visual—as a book can contain. Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95, written by Phillip M. Hoose and published by Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers B95, a four-ounce shorebird, is the subject of a fast-paced tale of endurance. Photographs of the bird are crisp; maps are sharp and well-drawn. From start to finish, Hoose inspires the reader with awe—and worry—for this tiny natural wonder. Titanic: Voices from the Disaster, written by Deborah Hopkinson and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc. Hopkinson tells the story of the ill-fated ship in compelling detail, offering a gripping account in the voices of survivors. Drawing upon oral histories, historical photographs, letters, telegrams, maps and menus, she portrays the events that continue to haunt us Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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Great Book Sites for Kids!! (And literature-loving adults!)
Book Adventure. Perfect for kids in grades K-8, this site lets readers create a list of books from 7,000 listed, then take quizzes and earn points for their progress. Bookwink. Bookwink posts three-minute videos each month about specific books in an attempt to spark interest in students in grades 38 to read. You can search their book list by subject, grade level, author, or title. Leading to Reading. Sponsored by RIF, this site is geared to preschoolers and the grown-ups who care for them.
Read.gov. The Library of Congress hosts this site that has something for both younger and older readers, no matter what their interests. They even have a fun story project with contributions from a variety of popular authors. ReadKiddoRead.com. Author James Patterson started this site to encourage the love of reading in children. Find book recommendations, reading guides, fun quizzes, and more. Reading Rockets. This site is from the US Department of Education and is designed to help emergent and struggling readers. Goodreads. Join a virtual book club, organize your books by shelves, and more when you join this network. GuysRead. A website by author Jon Scieska that suggests great books for boys.
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Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
Online Libraries These sites provide an opportunity for kids to read online, free of charge International Children’s Digital Library. Children around the world can access this awesome library. Register for free to have access to cool features such as bookmarking your page in a particular book and creating your own bookshelf. Project Gutenberg. This site offers over 30,000 free downloadable ebooks, many of which are also available as audiobooks. Read Print. Get over 8,000 free books online with authors such as Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and Beatrix Potter. Classic Reader. Browse through categories such as "Young Readers" or "Non-Fiction" or search by author or title to find a free online book here. Page by Page Books. Scroll through this alphabetical listing to find books like Anne of Green Gables and Cinderella. StoryPlace. This digital library has books organized by preschool and elementary, and is also available in Spanish The above sites are part of a comprehensive list from this website: 100 Fantastic Book Sites for Kids and Teens. Be sure to check out this fabulous list! This reading list prepared by Susan Rikkola, Library Media Specialist Far Hills Country Day School
Far Hills Country Day School, Route 202, Far Hills, NJ 07931 Intermediate School Summer Reading List
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