DWIGHT SCHOOL TIMOTHY HOUSE

SUMMER READING 2016

Third Grade into Fourth Grade

Reading over the summer reinforces reading skills and encourages children to become life-long learners.

Please assist your children in their summer reading and

note the Summer Reading Activities listed below.

   

 

Dear Student,

We are so excited to see you next school year! We are going to have so much fun in the fourth grade! Please enjoy yourself, your family, and friends over the summer. We hope you read many books, magazines, and newspapers during your break. We have attached a list of suggestions of books to read over the summer. Please read THREE books from the list below. However, if you find another book you really love, go ahead and read it! We hope you devour books this summer, so feel free to choose one that is not on the list. It is a good idea to go to the library or bookstores to decide which books are a good match for you.

We have listed the books, their authors, and a brief summary to help you make your choices. Again, feel free to read as many as you would like, but we only request you read three of them and do a fun activity on two. Of the three books you read, please choose two activities listed below. Summer Book Assignment (2 Parts): Choose two of the books you have read, and show your understanding. Below are some suggestions. Feel free to use your creativity, and do something fun! Choose TWO books you’ve read this summer and… • Draw a map of the setting. • Write a short story about what the character(s) would be doing one year later. • Imagine you could interview the protagonist. What three questions would you ask? • Redesign the cover. • Write a letter to the author or illustrator. • Write a short book review. Remember to include a few sentences describing the book as well as a few sentences about why you liked it—or didn’t.

Take it to the next level… • Choose two people or characters from two different books who you think would be great friends. Why? • Choose one book location or setting to live in for a week—it can be fiction or nonfiction. Which book would you choose and why? • Create a photo collage or animated trailer. (iMovie or Pic Collage are great apps for this activity) • Recommend a book to a friend or family member. Which title did you choose and why did you recommend it? Have a wonderfully safe summer! We can’t wait for school to start and for all the exciting things we have planned for you. Happy Reading!

Fantasy Fiction Books: Deadweather and Sunrise (The Chronicles of Egg, #1) by Geoff Rodkey Egg’s life was never easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island. Egg has to run for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he’s been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy. Come along for the ride. You’ll be glad you did. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative game maker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!

Ever After High The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life. As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future. What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both.

The Fairy Tale Detectives (Sisters Grimm, Book 1) by Michael Buckley

In book one of this bestselling series, sisters Sabrina and Daphne are sent to live with their mysterious grandmother, Relda Grimm. The sisters learn they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm, whose famous book of fairy tales is actually a collection of case files. The girls are the latest in a long line of fairy-tale detectives, and their new hometown is filled with Everafters (as magical folks like to be called)—some good and some very, very bad. When a mysterious Everafter sets a giant loose on the town, it’s up to the Sisters Grimm to save the day. Fablehaven #1 by Brandon Mull For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite. Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken -- Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good -- powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.

Joshua Dread by Lee Bacon Middle school is tough already—but when your parents are evil supervillains and you’ve just discovered you have powers of your own, life can be a real challenge. As if trying to hide his identity wasn't hard enough, Joshua has started leaving a trail of exploding pencils and scorched handprints in his wake, and only Sophie, the new girl in town with a mysterious past, seems unsurprised. When a violent attack at the Vile Fair makes it clear someone is abducting supervillains, and that his parents may very well be next, Joshua must enlist both Sophie and Milton's help to save them. The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories, #1) by Chris Colfer Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales.

Realistic Fiction Books: Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff Albie has never been the smartest kid in his class. He has never been the tallest. Or the best at gym. Or the greatest artist. Or the most musical. In fact, Albie has a long list of the things he's not very good at. But then Albie gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself. All Four Stars by Tara Dairman Meet Gladys Gatsby: New York’s toughest restaurant critic. (Just don’t tell anyone that she’s in sixth grade.) Gladys Gatsby has been cooking gourmet dishes since the age of seven, only her fast-food-loving parents have no idea! Now she’s eleven, and after a crème brûlée accident (just a small fire), Gladys is cut off from the kitchen (and her allowance). She’s devastated but soon finds just the right opportunity to pay her parents back when she’s mistakenly contacted to write a restaurant review for one of the largest newspapers in the world. But in order to meet her deadline and keep her dream job, Gladys must cook her way into the heart of her sixth-grade archenemy and sneak into New York City—all while keeping her identity a secret! Easy as pie, right?

The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo A lyrical and moving tale of a young boy growing up in Africa, and his lifelong friendship with a white lion. "All my life I'll think of you you, I promise I will. I won't ever forget you." Bertie rescues an orphaned white lion cub from the African veld. They are inseparable until Bertie is sent to boarding school far away in England and the lion is sold to a circus. Bertie swears that one day they will see one another again, but it is the butterfly lion which ensures that their friendship will never be forgotten. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse. In this 2015 Newbery Medal Winner and 2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner, Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike. Piper Reed, Navy Brat by Kimberly Will is Holt It’s not easy being the middle child, especially when your dad is a Navy Chief. Meet Piper Reed, a spunky nine-year-old who has moved more times than she can count on one hand. From Texas to Guam, wherever Piper goes, adventure follows, inspired by her active imagination, free-wheeling spirit, and a bit of sister magic. Unlike her older sister, Piper loves being part of a Navy family, and unlike her little sister, Piper is no prodigy genius. Piper is Piper—fearless and full of life. The Tapper Twins Go to War With Each Other by Geoff Rodkey This brand-new series by a popular screenwriter is a pitch-perfect, contemporary

comedy featuring twelve-year-old fraternal twins, Claudia and Reese, who couldn't be more different...except in their determination to come out on top in a vicious prank war! But when the competition escalates into an all-out battle that's fought from the cafeteria of their New York City private school all the way to the fictional universe of an online video game, the twins have to decide if their efforts to destroy each other are worth the price. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin It's the Chinese Year of the Dog, and as Pacy celebrates with her family, she finds out that this is the year she is supposed to "find herself." Universal themes of friendship, family, and finding one's passion in life make this novel appealing to readers of all backgrounds. This funny and profound book is a wonderful debut novel by a prolific picture book author and illustrator and has all the makings of a classic. The Year of Bil ly Miller by Kevin Henkes A 2014 Newbery Honor Book, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements, and the Clementine series.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio Auggie Pullman faces his biggest challenge as he enter fifth grade and starts a new school. For all of his life, he has been home-schooled. Even being home-schooled is nothing compared to Auggie’s appearance: he was born with a variety of facial deformities that seem to define him. Could anything be worse than being the new student who looks different, acts different, and in reality is different from everyone else?

Graphic Novels: El Deafo by Cece Bell Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny 2015 Newbery Honor Book, a poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her

subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson The Newbery Honor Award Winner and New York Times bestseller Roller Girl is a heartwarming graphic novel about friendship and surviving junior high through the power of roller derby—perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's Smile! For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school… in short, strong enough to be a roller girl. Sisters by Raina Telgemeier Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much over the years, but when a baby brother enters the picture and later, something doesn't seem right between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all.

Historical Fiction Books: Dear America Series The Dear America books are a series about fictional young women living in various points of American history, and recording "diaries" of their daily lives and the events around them. I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis Each book in the series tells a terrifying and thrilling story from history, through the eyes of a boy who lived to tell the tale.

Non-Fiction:

Time for Kids Biography Series (choose one from list!) Interviews with experts and lively writing deliver the accurate reporting you expect from the Time for Kids series. These beginning biographies help make a connection between the lives of past heroes and the events of today. They contain simple texts with historical and contemporary full-color and black-and-white photographs; and key dates in each subject’s life. The Truth about Great White Sharks by May Cerullo Reporting on the latest research by marine biologists, the author tells myths about this elusive and feared creature. Dinosaurs at the Ends of the Earth by Brian Floca In the 1920s, Roy Chapman Andrews led expeditions into Mongolia to search for dinosaur fossils. He traveled on behalf of the American Museum of Natural History and his discoveries are now part of the permanent collection at the museum. The Chimpanzees I Love by Jane Goodall Jane Goodall’s name is almost synonymous with primate studies in Africa. Here she discusses her many years of work with chimpanzees in Tanzania and what the future holds for these animals.

The Bug Scientists by Donna M. Jackson Scientists who study insects are called entomologists. This book highlights some of the work being done today in this field of science. The photographs are particularly exciting and readers who enjoy this title should look for others in the series: “Scientists in the Field.”

The 5,000-Year-Old-Puzzle by Claudia Logan Will Hunt is not a real person but follow his family’s experiences as they join Dr. George Reisner in 1925 and excavate a secret tomb in Giza, Egypt. Dr. Reisner was a real archeologist who worked in Egypt in the 1920s.

Mummies, Bones, & Body Parts by Charlotte Wilcox Mummies (Egyptian and otherwise) tell us a great deal about the people who lived during ancient times. This book helps us understand human remains, how they were preserved and how they are treated today.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

1. Books can be purchased at:

• Bank Street College Book Store 2780 Broadway (between 107th and 108th Street)

• Book Culture on Columbus 450 Columbus Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Street)

• Barnes & Noble Bookstore Most Locations

2. Books can be borrowed from the New York Public Library (www.nypl.org)