Summer Reading Requirements 

                                         & 

                     Summer Math Packets

Saint Andrew School

Required Summer Reading Program & Summer Math Packets

2023-2024 School Year

 

Our focus for the summer reading program is to encourage students to read on a daily basis and make reading an enjoyable experience.   Your local library offers a wide variety of books at every reading level. We recommend that each student has his/her own library card and encourage participation in the summer programs offered at the library.  

In addition to summer reading, we are asking that the students practice their math skills. 

Below is a list of recommended books per grade.

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This is only a suggested list. You may use your own books, as these are not required books. We ask that you read at least three different books with your child this summer to get them excited and ready to work in Kindergarten. Then, have them pick their favorite book and do this activity.

   

Big Shark, Little Shark by Anna Membrino Big Shark has big teeth; Little Shark has little teeth. Big Shark swims fast; Little Shark swims slow. But they are both hungry!  ©2017 Grade Level K-1 

Feathers and Hair by Jennifer Ward At first glance, a wild animal’s appearance may seem simple. But there is fascinating science behind every part of an animal’s physique—from its nose to its toes! ©2017 Grade Level K-1 

Hello, Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall  Tells the story of life in a lighthouse. Told through full-page illustrations, this fascinating picture book tells the story of a dedicated lighthouse keeper and his growing family. ©2018 Grade Level Preschool-3, 2019 Caldecott Medal

Hot Dog by Doug Salati This hot dog has had enough of summer in the city! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. Caldecott Medal Book ©2023 Grade Level K-1 

If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t by Elise Parsley If you see a poster that says "You Can Do Anything at the Library!", it is NOT giving you permission to put on a circus! But Magnolia doesn't see any problem with setting up her own big top. She's got a lot of gusto and one mean human cannonball routine.  Caldecott Honor Book ©2017 Grade Level K-1 

Jesus A to Z – Michael O’Neill McGrath  This colorful and inviting children's ABC book combines delightful illustrations with alliterative and whimsical (yet appropriate) Scripture story allusions. ©2007 Grade Level K-1

Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes  What a night! The moon is full. Kitten is hungry and inquisitive and brave. Caldecott Medal Book and CCS  ©2004 Grade Level K-1

The Legend of the Sand Dollar by Chris Auer  Eight-year-old Kerry and her older sister are sent to their aunt's home near the Atlantic Coast, where Cousin Jack teaches Kerry many things, including how the sand dollar tells the story of Easter. ©2005 Grade Level K-1 

Lily Leads the Way by Margi Preus Lily the sailboat is small but sturdy, in a harbor full of enormous cargo ships, speedy fishing vessels, and bossy tugboats that all have somewhere to go. ©2022 Grade Level K-1

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes  As he hops along a little rabbit wonders what it would be like to be green as grass, tall as fir trees, hard as rocks, and flutter like butterflies. ©2011 Grade Level K-1 

Mae Jamison: A Kid’s Book About Reaching Your Dreams by Mary Nhin  Mini Movers and Shakers children’s book series comes with a cast of characters who have failed, yet succeeded despite overwhelming obstacles. In the fourth volume, we meet Mae Jemison. Find out what happens in this kids book about reaching your dreams.©2020 Grade Level K-1 

Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse Story of a child testing the limits of her independence, a mother reassures that a parent's love is unconditional and everlasting. ©2014 Grade Level K-1 

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk When the letter R suddenly vanishes, a whole town goes upside-down. ©2022 Grade Level K-1 

My Teacher for President by Kay Winters  Oliver has been learning about the president’s job, and his teacher would be the perfect candidate. She loves white houses, she’s used to being followed everywhere, she attends lots of meetings, she finds jobs for people, and she believes in peace. ©2004 Grade Level K-1

No David by David Shannon  All he hears from his mother as he breaks his mother's rules is "No, David!", "That's enough, David!", and "Settle down!" Now David is all grown up. ©1998 Grade Level K-1

One-osaurus, Two-osaurus by Kim Norman A counting book and dinosaurs celebrating make an entertaining book about numbers and counting.  Ending has a Funny twist and shows how a child uses their imagination. ©2021 Grade Level Preschool-2

Over in the Meadow by John Langstaff The old animal counting song. “Numbers for knee highs couldn’t be more fun. Also has music for the song at the end. Caldecott Medal Book ©1973 Grade Level K-1

Owen by Kevin Henkes Owen’s fuzzy yellow blanket is his favorite possession. Everywhere Owen goes, his blanket goes with him. Upstairs, downstairs, in-between.Caldecott Honor Book, ©1993 Grade Level K-1

Pete the Cat: Pete on the Beach by James Dean Pete the Cat is one groovy cat at finding shells and building sand castles at the beach. But when it gets too hot, there’s only one way to cool off—jump into the ocean! ©2013 Grade Level K-1

Quiet Bunny Many Colors by Lisa McCue Quiet Bunny loves the beautiful colors of springtime in the forest so much, he wants to change his fur’s winter colors. ©2010 Grade Level K-1

They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws. In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see? 2017 Caldecott Honor Book ©2016 Grade Level Preschool-K

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen  A little fish thinks he can get away with stealing a hat. ©2012 Caldecott Medal Book Grade Level K-1

Time for Kenny by Brian Pinkey First, Kenny must get dressed. Maybe he can wear his mom’s shoes? And his grandpa’s hat seems to fit perfectly on his head. Luckily, with the help of his family, Kenny is finally set to go. Then he must overcome his fear of the monstrous vacuum cleaner, learn to play soccer with his big sister, and—after all that fun—get ready for bedtime. ©2021 Grade Level K-1

Truck by Donald Crews In this wordless Caldecott Honor book, striking graphics help little ones follow a big red truck on its bustling journey. ©1991 Caldecott Honor Book and CCS Grade Level K-1

 

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 KINDERGARTEN ENTERING FIRST GRADE 

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal When Alma’s father shares family stories about the origins of her long beautiful name, she gains an appreciation for its uniqueness and connection to her history. Martinez-Neal uses smudgy graphite and colored pencil to convey a soft palette that gently transports readers into Alma’s rich ancestral past. 2019 Caldecott Honor Book ©2018 Grade Level K-3

Berry Song by Michaela Goade On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries. Caldecott Honor Book ©2022 Grade Level 1-2

Blackout by John Rocco One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? Caldecott Honor Book  ©2011 Grade Level: K-2

Don’t Throw It To Me! by David A. Adler Mo may not be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest football player, but he won't let that stop him from playing! Theodor Seuss Geisel Award ©2021 Grade Level K-2

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future. ©2019 Grade Level K-2

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mann Malaspina In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.  2016 Caldecott Medal Book ©2015 Grade Level 1-2

Hello Ruby, Adventures in Coding by Linda Kiukas Without requiring a computer,  Hello Ruby introduces kids to a girl, Ruby, who is determined to solve any puzzle. Ruby makes friends with foxes, robots, and leopards as she strives to break down big problems into small ones. After each chapter, kids are prompted to help Ruby solve problems by applying computational thinking. ©2015 Grade Level 1-3

I Did It! by Michael Emberley A girl tries and tries again to learn to ride a bicycle and all her friends provide words of encouragement. Theodor Seuss Geisel Award ©2022 Grade Level K-1

Katherine Johnson (You Should Meet) by Thea Feldman About a brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA in the early 1950s until retiring in 1986. Katherine’s unparalleled calculations (done by hand) helped plan the trajectories for NASA’s Mercury and Apollo missions (including the Apollo 11 moon landing). She is said to be one of the greatest American minds of all time. ©2017 Grade Level 1-3

Let’s Go for a Drive by Mo Willems Elephant Gerald and Piggie want to go for a drive, but as Gerald thinks of one thing after another that they will have to take along, they come to realize that they lack the most important thing of all. Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book ©2012 Grade Level K–2

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo A young boy spends an overnight visit with his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scary—but wonderful. 2015 Caldecott Honor Book ©2014 Grade Level 1-3

Outside Inside by LeUyen Pham From Caldecott honoree LeUyen Pham, Outside, Inside is a moving picture book that captures the unforgettable moment during the pandemic when people all over the world came together. It celebrates the essential workers, frontline workers, and communities that worked with each other to protect our loved ones. @2021 Grade Level K-2

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung Once in America, Tyrus seized every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. Working as a janitor at night, his mop twirled like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime--and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created the iconic backgrounds of Bambi. American Library Association's 2021 Asian/Pacific American Award ©2019 Grade Level 1-2 

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster by Mo Willems The Pigeon is on an emotional—and physical—roller coaster. Since learning about the existence of roller coasters, he’s become giddy with excitement. The Pigeon prepares mentally: He’ll need a ticket and “exemplary patience” to wait in line.  ©2022 Grade Level 1-2

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. 2019 Caldecott Honor Book ©2018 Grade Level K-3

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie Thunder Boy Jr. is named after his dad, but he wants a name that's all his own. Just because people call his dad Big Thunder doesn't mean he wants to be Little Thunder. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he's done, like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder. New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year ©2016 Grade Level 1-3

We Are in a Book!-An Elephant and Piggie Book by Mo Willems In We Are in a Book! Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends? 2011 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor ©2010 Grade Level 1-2

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Math  
Please complete the assigned math packets.

Math Packet 1
Math Packet 2

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FIRST-GRADE ENTERING SECOND GRADE 

Children entering 2nd Grade have to read:
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon    

Book report to be assigned in September.

Please choose 3-5 from the following

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon Frazee's small vignettes and sweeping double-page spreads invite readers to share a joyful day with a diverse, multigenerational community. Caldecott Honor  ©2009 Grade Level 2-3

Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation by Pat Sherman A self-taught young slave astonishes his fellow prisoners by reading aloud the newspaper account of Lincoln’s new emancipation proclamation. Based on actual events. ©2020 Grade Level 2-3

Billy Miller Makes a Wish by Kevin Henkes As Billy blows out the candles on his birthday cake, an ambulance rushes down the street. Could his wish for some excitement have caused a dear neighbor friend to become ill? ©2021 Grade Level 2-3

A Bike Like Sergio's by Maribeth Boelts Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows that the kinds of birthday gifts he and Sergio receive are not the same. After all, when Ruben’s mom sends him to Sonny’s corner store for groceries, sometimes she doesn’t have enough money for everything on the list. ©2016 Grade Level 2-3

The Clown of God by Tomie de Paolo Little Giovanni is poor and homeless, but he can do something wonderful: he can juggle.  The people of Sorrento marvel at his talents, and before long, he becomes famous throughout Italy for his rainbow of colored balls that delight the nobility and townspeople alike. But as the years pass, Giovanni grows old, and his talents begin to fail him.  ©1978 Grade Level 2-3

A Different Pond by Bao Phi As a young boy, Bao Phi awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. ©2017 Caldecott Honor Book 2018, Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner 2018, Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner 2018, Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor 2018, Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Grade Level 2-3

The Girl With a Mind for Math by Julia Finley Mosca  Meet Raye Montague―the hidden mastermind who made waves in the U.S. Navy! After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. ©2018 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book 2019, NSTA Best STEM Trade Books for Students K-12 2019, 2019 Amelia Bloomer List, and 2019 Mathical Honor Book Grade Level 2-4

The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World by Anna Crowley Redding “A tree may seem like an ordinary thing. But hundreds of years ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey.” Sir Isaac Newton sat under that tree and came up with the theory of gravity, a tree and an idea that has continued to inspire other scientists and people all over the world. ©2021 Grade Level 2-3

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? 2016 Newbery Medal, 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book ©2015 Grade Level K-2

Mars Is: Stark Slopes, Silvery Snow, and Startling Surprises by Suzanne Slade Information and a lyrical text combined with astonishing, textured photographs for a look at the mysterious red planet for a book that can be read, viewed, and enjoyed in several ways. ©2021 Grade Level 2-3

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo Mercy Watson is a pig, but to his owners, he's not just any pig. He's AMAZING! Everything is great until Mercy decides to get some snuggles by hopping into bed with them. When the bed breaks, his owners find themselves in trouble.  ©2009 Grade Level 2-4

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat Shortly after a breakfast generously supplied with pancakes, Nate the Great got an urgent call from Annie. "I lost a picture, " said Annie. "Can you help me find it?" "Of course, " said Nate. "I have found lost balloons, books, slippers, and chickens. Even a lost goldfish. Now I, Nate the Great, will find a lost picture." ©1977 Grade Level 2-3

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. ©2019 Caldecott Honor Book ©2018 Grade Level 2-3

Play It Again, Grandpa by Jennifer Hunsicker A young boy and his grandfather spend front-porch time playing music and learning from each other. Their music draws in family, friends, and neighbors for enjoyment, dancing, singing, and playing a variety of bluegrass instruments. A picture glossary of the instruments is included in the back as well as a brief history and explanation of bluegrass music. ©2021 Grade Level 1-3

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies Evan, a fox, and his dog are best friends and in a series of acrylic, oil, and colored pencil vignettes, they are shown attending a fair, playing games, and, most important, working in Evan's meticulously groomed garden. These loving scenes are abruptly cut short by a large spread of white space with spare text stating: "But one day, the unthinkable happened." On the opposing page, white space surrounds a grieving Evan as he mourns the loss of his dog. ©2019 Caldecott Honor Book ©2018 Grade Level 1-3

She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day and Chelsea Clinton Maria Tallchief loved to dance, but was told that she might need to change her Osage name to one that sounded more Russian to make it as a professional ballerina. She refused, and worked hard at dancing her best, becoming America’s first prima ballerina. ©2021 Grade Level 2-3

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal He's always been a happy little utensil. But lately, he feels like life as a spoon just isn't cutting it. He thinks Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks all have it so much better than him. But do they? ©2009 Grade Level 1-2

Spring According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney Spring has sprung and everyone at Longfellow School, including Ms. Brisbane's class, are HAPPY-HAPPY-HAPPY! It also means Family Fun Night is coming up and all the students' families are involved in making amazing circus activities. ©2017 Grade Level 2-4

What’s Your Favorite Color? by Eric Carle Fifteen beloved children's book artists draw their favorite colors and explain why they love them. This personal collection will undoubtedly inspire readers to create favorite color drawings and stories of their own! ©2017 Grade Level 2-3 

The Whisper in the Ruins (Chime Travelers) by Lisa Hendey Somebody is angry, and they’re taking it out on St. Anne’s. Patrick and his twin sister Katie are shocked when they learn that someone threw a brick through the St. Francis of Assisi stained glass window at St. Anne’s. What would make someone angry enough to damage the beautiful old window? ©2016 Grade Level 2-5

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Math: 

Continue to work on IXL and work in the Grade 2 Simple Solutions book.   

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SECOND-GRADE ENTERING THIRD GRADE 

Reading Requirements:

** Students will be required to complete this activity on one of the listed books.  ACTIVITY

Students may choose three of the following books:

All That's Missing by Sarah Sullivan Secretly providing for himself and a beloved grandfather who is succumbing to dementia, young Arlo is placed in the care of a social worker and runs away to find and connect with his only other family member. ©2013 Grade Level 3-7

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Robert F. Sibert Medal and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award ©2011 Grade Level 3-4

Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe  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! ©1979 & ©2010 Grade Level 3-4

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter. ©2018 Grade Level: 3-5 

The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull ”Once upon a time, there lived a boy who feasted on books and was wild about animals.” So begins this young biography of Dr. Seuss. ©2018 Grade Level 3-4

Chocolate Fever  by Robert K. Smith Henry Green doesn’t just like chocolate… he’s crazy about it! Read how Henry comes down with the world’s first case of “chocolate fever.” ©1972 & ©2006 Grade Level 3-4

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin Rivers wind through earth, cutting down and eroding the soil for millions of years, creating a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as the Grand Canyon. Caldecott Honor Book, Sibert Honor Book ©2017 Grade Level 3-5

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynna Cherry The many animals that live in a great Kapok tree in the Brazilian rainforest try to convince a man with an ax of the importance of not cutting down their home. ©2000 Grade Level 3-5

The Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson Based on the true story of a boy in Brooklyn who became neighbors and friends with his hero, Jackie Robinson. ©2017 Grade Level 4-5

John Lincoln Clem: a Civil War Drummer Boy by E. F. Abbott   Do you have what it takes to run off and join the army, leaving your family behind? That's what John Lincoln Clem, a nine-year-old boy living in Ohio, does as the American Civil War rages on. ©2017 Grade Level 3-4  

Meet George Washington by Joan Heilbroner George Washington grew up in the English colony of Virginia. He was tall and strong, fair in judgment, and respected by his friends as a good leader. As he grew older, George saw how England took advantage of the American colonies—and he didn't like it. ©2001 Grade Level 3-4

Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when Apollo 11 landed on the moon.  But it wasn’t just one man who got us to the moon. ©2019 Grade Level 3-4

St. John Bosco and His Big Gray Dog by Hayley Medeiros It is hard to believe that anyone would have ever wanted to hurt good Father John Bosco. He helped so many people. But there were times when his life was in danger. During those times, a very special guardian would appear to protect him. ©2015 Grade Level 2-4

St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges The tale of Saint George, the Red Cross Knight, slaying the dragon that had been terrorizing the countryside for years. Caldecott Medal ©1984 & ©1990 Grade Level 2-3

The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow Hunting for seashells and building sandcastles, this tribute to the power of imagination and the tenderness of a mother-child connection is also a sweet ode to summer's greatest pastimes. ©2015 Grade Level 2-3

Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh Seven years before Brown v. Board of Education, the Mendez family fought to end segregation in California schools.Jane Addams Award ©2014 Grade Level 3-4 

Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero by Patricia McCormick When a group of US Marines fighting in the Korean War found a bedraggled mare, they wondered if she could be trained to a packhorse. ©2017 Grade Level 1-5

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant Louis Braille was just five years old when he lost his sight. He was a clever boy, determined to live like everyone else, and what he wanted more than anything was to be able to read. ©2016 Grade Level 2-4

The Sign of the Carved Cross by Lisa M. Hendey Katie joins her friends in being mean to the new girl, Lily. But suddenly, Katie becomes the new girl—in 1675! She has no idea how she traveled in time to a Native American village, but she’s hoping the young woman she meets will be nicer to her than Katie was to Lily. ©2015 Grade Level 3-5

Stargazing by Jen Wang Moon is everything Christine isn't. She’s confident, impulsive, artistic and though they both grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known. ©2019 Grade Level 3-4

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander This poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes.  Caldecott Medal, Newbery Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King ©2019 Grade Level 3-4

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Caldecott Honor Book, Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, and John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award ©2015 Grade Level 3-6

The Whisper in the Ruins (Chime Travelers) by Lisa M. Hendey Somebody is angry, and they’re taking it out on St. Anne’s. Patrick and his twin sister Katie are shocked when they learn that someone threw a brick through the St. Francis of Assisi stained glass window at St. Anne’s. What would make someone angry enough to damage the beautiful old window? ©2016 Grade Level 2-5

Wish by Barbara O'Connor "A story about a girl who, with the help of the dog of her dreams, discovers that family doesn't always have to be related--they are simply people who love you for who you are." ©2016 Grade Level 3-5

Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes  Seven-year-old Billy Miller starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but by the end of the year he has developed good relationships with his teacher, his little sister, and his parents and learned many important lessons. Newbery Honor Book  @2013 Grade Level 3-4

 

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MATH

• 3rd Grade Math Packet
• 3rd Grade Math Packet 2
• 3rd Grade Basic Math Facts
• 3rd Grade Pre-req Skills 
• https://webmathminute.com/online
• https://webmathminute.com/sheets
• If you do not have a printer at home please work on the Summer Solutions Math Book - work on a page each or every other day and refer to help pages as needed - bring the completed book to school in September!

 

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ALTERNATIVE IDEAS TO THE “TRADITIONAL” BOOK REPORT

1. Write a review of the book that might appear in a class newspaper to tell your classmates why they might want to read this book too.  You should rank the book from one to five stars.
2. Create a mobile that introduces the characters, setting, plot, theme, main idea, and several important parts to the story.  Be prepared to explain your mobile!
3. Make an iMovie for your book and bring it in to share with the class.
4. Make a travel poster describing the location of the book‘s action.
5. Write a letter to the author.
6. Write an essay explaining what this book has added to your life. What has it taught you? Did you discover anything about yourself or other people by reading this book? Be specific!
7. Write an essay explaining why you would or wouldn’t like to live in the world portrayed in your book.

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Math  

This summer students coming to 5th grade are expected to complete the Required Math packet below to help them refresh their learning from fourth grade and prepare for fifth grade Math.  They are expected to complete the packet and bring the completed work to school during the first week of school.

REQUIRED Math Packet

• REQUIRED Math Packet

Additional Packets (not required)

• https://webmathminute.com/online
• https://webmathminute.com/sheets
• /documents/2021/6/Entering%205th%20-%20Basic%20Facts%201.pdf
• /documents/2021/6/Entering%205th%20Pre-Req%20Skills%20Inventory%20-%20Student%20Version%201.pdf

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FIFTH GRADE ENTERING SIXTH GRADE 

Required Reading: 

1.  Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko (reprinted 2006)

2.  Pick one of the books below and read it over the summer.  Go to your local library before considering purchasing.  Take notes to help you be prepared to complete an activity during the first week of school. 

Abby Carnelia’s One and Only Magical Power by David Pogue One day, Abby Carnelia, ordinary sixth grader, realizes she has a magical power. Okay, it’s not a fancy one: she can make a hard-boiled egg spin by tugging on her ears. But it’s the only one she has, and it’s enough to launch her into an adventure where she meets a host of kids with similarly silly powers. ©2014 Grade Level: 5-7

Al Capone Does My Homework by Gennifer Choldenko Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it is home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. When Moose's dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, despite being an unlikely candidate, it's a big deal. ©2013 Grade Level 5-8

Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin Jason can be himself when he writes and he thinks that Phoneix Bird-her name is Rebecca-could be his first real friend. But as desperate as Jason is to meet her, he's terrified that if they do meet, Rebecca will only see his autism and not who Jason really is. ©2012 Grade Level 5-7

Because of Anya by Margaret Peterson Haddix While ten-year-old Anya faces the difficulties of losing her hair to alopecia, her classmate Keely learns how to stand up for what she knows is right. ©2002 Grade Level 5-7

The Boy at the End of the World – Greg Van Eekhout In a future world, Fisher is the last boy on earth. But evidence suggests there may be a far-away survival bunk with other humans. In order to get there, he'll need to rely on a ragtag team he assembles, including a robot, a mammoth, and a prairie dog with basic English skills. Readers will be riveted as this unlikely team races toward survival.  ©2011          Grade Level 5-8

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter The fate of a small California town rests on the outcome of one baseball game, and Tom Gallagher hopes to lead his team to victory with the secrets of the now disgraced player, Dante Del Gato. ©2003 Grade Level: 4 - 7

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone. Newbery Medal Book ©1978 Grade Level 5-7

Dorko the Magnificent – Andrea Beaty Robbie Darko is a magician. An old-school, pull-a-rabbit-out-of-your-hat-style magician. Robbie loves magic and he’s good at it—sort of. Despite his best efforts, passion, and practice, something always goes wrong with his tricks, landing Robbie in trouble. ©2013 Grade Level 5-7

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan A fictionalized biography of the Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who grew up a painfully shy child, ridiculed by his overbearing father, but who became one of the most widely-read poets in the world. Includes author's notes about the poet.  Pura Belpré Award Winner ©2012 Grade Level 5-9

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses. Newbery Medal Book ©2011 Grade Level 5–8

Eggs by Jerry Spinelle David has recently lost his mother to a freak accident, his salesman father is constantly on the road, and he is letting his anger out on his grandmother. Primrose lives with her unstable, childlike, fortune teller mother, and the only evidence of the father she never knew is a framed picture. ©2008 Grade Level 5-7

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo  Rescuing a squirrel after an accident involving a vacuum cleaner, comic-reading cynic Flora Belle Buckman is astonished when the squirrel, Ulysses, demonstrates astonishing powers of strength and flight after being revived. Newbery Medal Book ©2013               Grade Level 5–7

Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter by Beth Fantaskey It’s 1920s Chicago—the guns-and-gangster era of Al Capone—and it’s unusual for a girl to be selling the Tribune on the street corner. But ten-year-old Isabel Feeney is unusually obsessed with being a news reporter. ©2017 Grade Level 5-7

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. Newbery Medal ©2017 Grade Level 6-7

The Rat Prince by Bridget Hodder A new twist to an old fairy tale. When Cinderella’s frightful stepmother Wilhelmina has control of the manor, nobody is safe, including the rats that she wants poisoned. Cinderella and Prince Char devise a plan to end Wilhelmina’s tyranny. ©2017 Grade Level 6-7

Savvy by Ingrid Law Thirteen is when a Beaumont’s savvy hits—and with one brother who causes hurricanes and another who creates electricity, Mibs Beaumont is eager to see what she gets. But just before the big day, Poppa is in a terrible accident. And now all Mibs wants is a savvy that will save him. Newbery Honor Book ©2012 Grade Level 5-7

The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by Avi Oliver is left on his own after a terrible storm hits his English community in 1724. High adventure and near disasters meet Oliver as he tries to make his way to London to find his sister, Charity. Once in London and reunited with Charity, life does not calm down. Avi leaves readers hanging—will they survive? ©2012 Grade Level 6-8

​​​​Reading

Extra summer reading after the required reading and recommended reading is complete
CLICK HERE
 

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MATH 
This summer students coming to 6th grade are expected to complete the Math packets below to help them refresh their learning from fifth grade and prepare for sixth grade Math.  They are expected to complete each packet and bring the completed work to school during the first week of school.

• 6th Grade Math Packet
• 6th Grade Math Packet 2 
• https://webmathminute.com/sheets 
• https://webmathminute.com/online 

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The following book needs to be read by the start of school, and please have a copy with you for class:

 

  The Red Bandanna, A Young Readers Adaptation by Tom Rinaldi.  This is a  change from last year.  It’s an easier read than the one below.

 

 

The Red Bandanna, A life. A choice. A legacy. by Tom Rinaldi, Penguin Press, 2016

 

 For this book, you will complete a one-pager.  Please complete the activity following this link: Red Bandanna One-pager 


You are also required to read one of the following books from the list provided below, and print and complete the attached activity.   This completed activity handout will be due by the end of the first week of school.

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Assassin - Anna Myers  In alternating passages, a young White House seamstress named Bella and the actor John Wilkes Booth describe the events that lead to the latter's assassination of Abraham Lincoln. ©2005 Grade Level 5–8

What Elephants Know by Eric Dinerstein  Abandoned in the jungle of the Nepalese Borderlands, two-year-old Nandu is found living under the protective watch of a pack of wild dogs. ©2016 Grade Level 5-9

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger. Newbery Medal @2012 Grade Level 6-8

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The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi ~ we will begin activities associated with this  book on the first full week of school

The following books need to be purchased for the school year, therefore, acquiring them this summer while shopping for school supplies will be easiest.  Students may put their names on the inside cover of the books, and they can be stored in the school.

• Crash by Jerry Spinelli 
• The Giver by Lois Lowry

 

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Math (Entering 7th grade)

• complete the following: 
  • Summer Math Packet
  • https://webmathminute.com/online

 

• Please practice your multiplication facts using games and flashcards on:  multiplication.com

 

Advanced Math (entering 7th grade)

• Summer Math Packet on Mrs. Conners Advanced Math Google Classrooms
• https://webmathminute.com/sheets 
• https://webmathminute.com/

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SEVENTH GRADE ENTERING EIGHTH GRADE 

Required Reading:

Down the Rabbit Hole (An Echo Falls Mystery) Author: Peter Abrahams ISBN: 978-0060737030

(Required): Read ONE of the following:

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer Author: James L. Swanson ISBN: 978-0439903547

The Devil’s Arithmetic Author: Jane Yolen ISBN: 978-01424001095

Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement: 1955  Author: Nel Yomotov ISBN: 978-1338769722

Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement: 1957  Author: Susan Taylor ISBN: 978-1338769753

Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement: 1960  Author: Selene Castrovilla ISBN: 978-1338769784

Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement: 1963 Author: Angela Shanté ISBN: 978-1338769814

Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement: 1965 Author: Jay Leslie ISBN: 978-1338769845

Refugee Author: Alan Gratz ISBN: 978-0545880831

 

Complete 2 One-Pagers based on 2 of your summer reading books ONE PAGER

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Archdiocese Recommended Reading List For Students Entering Eighth Grade:
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal? NAACP Image Award, Coretta Scott King Author Book Award ©2021 Grade Level 7-8

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone's hero. As a charming, talented pro football star, he's as beloved to the neighborhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. But lately, life at ZJ's house is anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ©2022 Grade Level 7-8

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose At the outset of World War II, Denmark did not resist German occupation. Deeply ashamed of his nation's leaders, fifteen-year-old Knud Pedersen resolved with his brother and a handful of schoolmates to take action against the Nazis if the adults would not. Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor ©2016 Grade Level 8-10

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee Twelve-year-old Sora and her family live under an iron set of rules: No travel without a permit. No criticism of the government. No absences from Communist meetings. Wear red. Hang pictures of the Great Leader. Don't trust your neighbors. Don't speak your mind. You are being watched.  ©2020 Grade Level 7-8

Code Talker: A Novel About The Navajo Marines Of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac  After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay is recruited by the Marines to become a Code Talker, sending urgent messages during WW2 in his native tongue. ©2005 Grade Level 7-9

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick  When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.  ©2005 Grade Level 7-8

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick Two boys - a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny Einstein in leg braces - forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force. ©2001 Grade Level 7-8

Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt Selah knows her rules for being normal. She always, always sticks to them. This means keeping her feelings locked tightly inside, despite the way they build up inside her as each school day goes on, so that she has to run to the bathroom and hide in the stall until she can calm down. So that she has to tear off her normal-person mask the second she gets home from school, and listen to her favorite pop song on repeat, trying to recharge. ©2023 Grade Level 7-8

Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II by Marin W. Sandler While Americans fought for freedom and democracy abroad, fear and suspicion towards Japanese Americans swept the country after Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. ©2013 Grade Level 7–Up

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita. But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children - among them Petra and her family - have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race. Newbery Medal, Pura Belpré Award ©2021 Grade Level 7-8

Lily’s Ghost by Laura Ruby Lily is Furious.  She can't believe she has to move again after her mom's break-up with the latest boyfriend. Now they're broke and they'll have to spend the winter in Uncle Wes's creepy summerhouse in Cape May, New Jersey.  And the place is crawling with ghosts. ©2005 Grade Level 7-8

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt In this companion novel to The Wednesday Wars, Doug struggles to be more than the "skinny thug" that some people think him to be. He finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, who gives him the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. National Book Award Finalist ©2011 Grade Level 8–9

Pictures of Hollis Woods by  Patricia Giff Hollis Woods has been in so many foster homes she can hardly remember them all. She is a mountain of trouble. She runs away even from the Regans, the one family who offers her a home. Newbery Honor ©2004 Grade Level 7-8

The 13 Clocks by Deckle Edge The hands of all thirteen clocks stand still in the gloomy castle on a lonely hill where a wicked Duke lives with his niece, the beautiful Princess Saralinda. The Duke fancies he has frozen time, for he is afraid that one day a Prince may come and win away the hand of the Princess—the only warm hand in the castle.  ©2016 Grade Level 7-8

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt A calico cat, about to have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, this feline, this creature he is supposed to hate. They are an unlikely pair, about to become an unlikely family. Ranger urges the cat to hide underneath the porch, to raise her kittens there because Gar-Face, the man living inside the house, will surely use them as alligator bait should he find them. But they are safe in the Underneath...as long as they stay in the Underneath. Newbery Honor, National Book Award Finalist  ©2004 Grade Level 7-8

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the "Children's Ship" by Deborah Heiligman Amid the constant rain of German bombs and the escalating violence of World War II, British parents by the thousands chose to send their children out of the country: the wealthy, independently; the poor, through a government relocation program called CORB. In September 1940, passenger liner SS City of Benares set sail for Canada with one hundred children on board. Golden Kite Award ©2023 Grade Level 6-8 

 

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Math 

• complete the Summer Math packets  
  • Summer Math Packet
  • Summer Math Packet #2
  • https://webmathminute.com/sheets
  • https://webmathminute.com/online

Advanced Math

• Summer Math Packet on Mrs. Conners Advanced Math Google Classrooms

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