Summer Reading for Rising Fourth Graders

May 21, 2008

Dear Parents and Students:

As the school year draws to a close, we begin to think about our vacations, fun, relaxation, and of course, summer reading. The Lower School of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy views summer reading as a means of enrichment and enjoyment. We hope you will work with your child to set aside time each day for reading, maybe under a tree in the backyard or at the beach. In grades 1-4 this year we have chosen to not assign specific books and assignments. Attached is a list of books your child might choose from for pleasure reading. We encourage you to visit your local public library and participate in their summer reading program as well. Children at this young age really enjoy trips to the library and the opportunity to check out books that interest them (parents, too). Plus, the best part is it’s free!

One extra challenge is attached related to the upcoming Summer Olympics in China. We think the children will enjoy learning more about the Olympics and the athletes. This assignment is optional and if your child participates, you need only complete the bottom of the cover sheet and return it to the library when school starts, for your child to be recognized.

Thank you for your guidance and support as we work together to nurture a lifelong love of reading.

Sincerely,
Anne Fowler
Reading Coordinator, Grades K-4

Fourth Grade Summer Reading List

** Non-fiction Selections

American Revolution (Magic Tree House Research Guide Series)**
Armstrong, Sounder
Avi – The Fighting Ground **
Babbit, Natalie - Tuck Everlasting
Bertholf, Bret – The Long Gone Lonesome History of Country Music **
Blume, Judy – Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,
Fudge-a-Mania, and sequels
Bunting, Eve – The Summer of Riley
Burnett, Frances – The Secret Garden
Christopher, Matt – Soccer Halfback, and others
Cleary, Beverly – Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Ramona,
Forever, Ramona’s World,
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Clements, Andrew – Frindle, School Story, The Report Card
Cohen, Barbara – Thank You, Jackie Robinson **
Coifer, Eoin – Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
Cook, Sally – Hey Batta Batta Swing: the Wild Old Days of Baseball**
Dahl, Ronald –James and the Giant Peach, The Witches
DeCamillo, Kate - Because of Winn Dixie
Dyer, Heather – The Fish in Room 11
Gibson, Althea – Nothing But Trouble **
Hatkoff, Isabella and Craig – Owen and Mzee **
Hall-Quest, Olga – Jamestown: The Periolous Adventure **
Kehret, Peg – Searching for Candlestick Park
King-Smith, Dick – Harry’s Mad, The School Mouse, Babe the Gallant Pig
Leedy, Loreen –It’s Probably Penny **
Lowry, Lois – Number the Stars
Lunn, Janet – The Hollow Tree
Moore, Kay, - If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution **
Naylor, Phyllis – Bodies in the Besseldorf Hotel
O’Dell, Scott – Island of the Blue Dolphins
Osborne, Mary Pope – Favorite Greek Myths
Polette, Nancy – Pocahontas **
Rockwell, Thomas – How to Eat Fried Worms
Sacher, Louis – Wayside School
Sleator, William – Into The Dream
Snicket, Lemony – The Bad Beginning and Sequels
Spinelli, Jerry – The Fourth Grade Rats
White, E.B. – Charlotte’s Web, Trumpet of the Swan
Wilder, Laura Ingalls – Little House in the Big Woods

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