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Grade 3 Summer Reading List 2017

Summer is a fun time for reading, and we encourage you to read as much as possible during your

vacation time! Here are the requirements for summer reading for rising Grade 3 boys:

You must read at least five books over the summer.

Four books must be chosen from the list, and one is a “free choice” selection.

You must read books from at least four of the five categories listed on the following pages.

You must read one book from the science & technology category.

Books that have a triple asterisk (***) in front of the title are former Lower School Book

Club selections. Consider reading one of these books if you didn’t during the year!

List the five required books below and bring back this sheet on the first day of school with your

parent’s signature. List additional books on the back of this sheet or type them on another sheet of

paper.

Student Name ________________________________________ Grade ____________

AUTHOR TITLE CATEGORY

1. _________________ ___________________________ Science & Tech (required)

2. _________________ __________________________ __________________

3. _________________ __________________________ __________________

4. _________________ __________________________ __________________

5. _________________ __________________________ ***FREE CHOICE***

__________________________________

Parent Signature

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AUTHOR TITLE CATEGORY

6. _________________ _______________________ __________________

7. _________________ _______________________ __________________

8. _________________ _______________________ __________________

9. _________________ _______________________ __________________

10. _________________ _______________________ __________________

11. _________________ _______________________ __________________

12. _________________ _______________________ __________________

13. _________________ _______________________ __________________

14. _________________ _______________________ __________________

15. _________________ _______________________ __________________

16. _________________ _______________________ __________________

17. _________________ _______________________ __________________

18. _________________ _______________________ __________________

19. _________________ _______________________ __________________

20. _________________ _______________________ __________________

21. _________________ _______________________ __________________

22. _________________ _______________________ __________________

23. _________________ _______________________ __________________

24. _________________ _______________________ __________________

25. _________________ _______________________ __________________

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FICTION

Adler, David A. Danny’s Doodles: The Dog Biscuit Breakfast (series)

Danny knows his friend Calvin has crazy ideas, so he’s not surprised

when Calvin suggests they start a Rent-a-Pet business.

Anderson, John David Ms. Bixby’s Last Day

Ms. Bixby is a one-of-a-kind teacher who makes school worthwhile.

When she suddenly announces she is leaving, three students make a

risky plan to make sure she has the last day at school she deserves.

Angleberger, Tom Inspector Flytrap (series)

Welcome to the humorous and wacky world of Inspector Flytrap’s

Detective Agency, home to the world-renowned solver of BIG DEAL

mysteries. The plant detective works tirelessly with his assistant Nina

the Goat on his community’s unsolved cases.

Babbitt, Natalie Kneeknock Rise

Egan comes to Instep to visit his aunt and uncle and finds that his other

uncle, Uncle Ott, has disappeared.

Barber, Tiki Extra Innings (Barber Game Time Books series)

Based on the childhoods of NFL superstars Tiki and Ronde Barber,

this story of determination and confidence will inspire all who read it.

Bilder, Phil Rookie of the Year (Rip and Red series)

Rip and Red find that fifth grade continues to challenge them in new

ways, and discover that sometimes radical change is something they

should welcome.

Birney, Betty Summer According to Humphrey (series)

Humphrey is a witty, fun, lovable character who is always getting into

mischief.

Bjork, Christina Linnea in Monet’s Garden

Linnea has visited Claude Monet’s garden! In Paris, she got to see

many of his actual paintings. Now she understands what it means for a

painter to be called an Impressionist.

Black, Holly ***Spiderwick Chronicles After moving to a creepy old mansion, the Grace kids come to believe

that an old book with hand-drawn pictures holds the key to all the

weird things that have been going on.

Blume, Judy ***Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Peter finds his ever demanding 2-year-old brother Fudge an ever-

increasing problem.

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Bond, Michael A Bear Called Paddington

Paddington Bear traveled all the way from Peru when the Browns first

met him in Paddington Station. Since then, their lives have never been

quite the same.

Bowen, Fred ***Double Reverse (series)

Although he knows all the plays, freshman wide receiver Jesse is

reluctant to try out for quarterback until his brother, a college player, is

asked to switch positions, and the two make a deal that forces them out

of their comfort zones.

Butler, Dori The Case of the School Ghost (The Buddy Files series)

Buddy goes to the fourth-grade sleepover at school with Connor,

hoping to find out more about the old legend of Agatha, the school

ghost.

Byars, Betsy ***Tornado

As they wait out a tornado in their storm cellar, a family listens to their

farmhand tell stories about the dog that was blown into his life by

another tornado when he was a boy.

Chayan, Hayan The Three Lucys

During the July War in Lebanon, Luli worries about the three pet cats

he left behind in his hometown, which is under attack.

Cleary, Beverly Beezus and Ramona (series)

Big sister Beezus has to be patient with her little sister,

but Ramona keeps getting into trouble... and her family has to be alert

and ready for disaster.

Cleary, Beverly The Mouse and the Motorcycle

A reckless young mouse named Ralph makes friends with a boy in

room 215 of the Mountain View Inn and discovers the joys of

motorcycling.

Clements, Andrew Frindle

When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher’s love of the dictionary

around on her, Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of

events that moves beyond his control.

Cowell, Cressida How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury (How to Train Your Dragon series)

It is the Doomsday of Yule. At the end of this day, either the humans

or the dragons will face extinction.

Cuyler, Margery Battlefield Ghost

When fourth grader John and his sister Lisa move into an old house in

Princeton, New Jersey, they find it haunted by the ghost of a Hessian

soldier from the Revolutionary War.

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Dahl, Roald Fantastic Mr. Fox

A story about wild animals, underground tunnels, explosions, flames,

burning things, a brilliantly clever fox, and three of the meanest,

nastiest, ugliest farmers you’ll ever meet.

Deedy, Carmen Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale

Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his

hard life dodging fishwives brooms and carriage wheels and trade his

damp alley for the warmth of the Cheshire Cheese Inn.

de la Pena, Matt Last Stop on Market Street

A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and

learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.

DePaola, Tomie Strega Nona

When Strega Nona leaves Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta

pot, Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

DiCamillo, Kate Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures 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.

DiCamillo, Kate Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? (series)

What if timid Baby Lincoln broke free of her bossy sister and set off

on an unexpected journey? Kate DiCamillo presents a touching new

adventure set in Mercy Watson’s world.

Dowell, Frances O’Roark Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan

Seven-year-old Sam’s search for a job leads him to raising chickens

and discovering an unexpected friendship.

Egan, Kate Vanishing Coin (Magic Shop series)

Fourth grade was supposed to be a fresh start, but Mike’s already back

in the principal’s office. It seems like nothing can help, until he

discovers The White Rabbit, a magic shop with a mysterious

proprietor.

Farmer, Nancy Warm Place

In this fantasy-adventure, Ruva, a young wild giraffe, is snatched from

her African home and taken to a San Francisco zoo.

Fleischman, Sid The Whipping Boy

A spoiled prince and his whipping boy have many adventures when

they inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with

dangerous outlaws.

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Gannett, Ruth S. My Father’s Dragon (series)

A young boy is determined to rescue a poor baby dragon being used

by a group of lazy wild animals to ferry them across the river on Wild

Island.

Grabenstein, Chris Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers

What do you get when you add up: 1 middle-school bully; 2 bank

robbers; 57 dogs in peril; 4,000 missing dollars and 5 daring

troublemakers led by the one and only Riley Mack?

Gutman, Dan Get Rich Quick Club

Summer vacation in their small Maine town does not look too

promising until 12-year-old Gina and four of her friends make a pact

to become millionaires before school starts in September.

Gutman, Dan Ms. Joni is a Phony! (My Weirdest School series)

In this seventh book in the series, it’s picture day at Ella Mentry

School! This year, Mr. Klutz has hired a weird photographer, Ms. Joni.

Hamilton, Virginia The People Could Fly A fantasy tale of the slaves who possessed the ancient magic words

that enabled them to literally fly away to freedom.

Harley, Bill Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year

Charlie’s fourth-grade year is off to a rocky start. He’s dismayed to

learn that his teacher is Mrs. Burke, whom he accidentally hit in the

head with a shoe the year before.

Harris, R.P. Tua and the Elephant

In Chiang Mai, Thailand, 9-year-old Tua releases an abused elephant

from its chains. Can she complete the rescue by getting it to an

elephant refuge without being caught herself?

Herriot, James James Herriot’s Treasury for Children

Warm and joyful tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and

Small.

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Kipling, Rudyard Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

In this glorious picture book, readers are plunged into the lush garden

Rikki rules and the life of the family he comes to guard.

Klise, Kate Secrets of the Circus (Three-Ring Rascals series)

Everyone has a secret. But sometimes a little secret can become a big

problem. That’s what happens when circus mouse Gert’s secret pen

pal, a pig named Pablo, runs away to join Sir Sidney’s Circus.

Levin, Ellen Henry’s Freedom Box

Inspired by an actual 1830s lithograph, this beautifully crafted picture

book recounts the true story of Henry Brown, a slave who mailed

himself to freedom.

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Lowry, Lois Gooney Bird Greene (series)

Gooney Bird Greene is an entertaining second grader who introduces

challenging vocabulary words and tells “absolutely true” stories.

Mattick, Lindsay Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most

Famous Bear

A fictionalized account of Captain Harry Coleburn’s relationship with

a bear cub in 1914, who became the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s

Winnie-the-Pooh.

McCloskey, Robert One Morning in Maine (and other stories by the author)

Follow the story of Sal and her lost tooth and feel like you have spent

a day with her family on their island.

Mills, Claudia Being Teddy Roosevelt

Fourth-grader Riley is inspired by Roosevelt’s perseverance and

resolves to find a way to get what he most wants — a saxophone and

music lessons.

Mosel, Arlene Tikki Tikki Tembo

The story of a Chinese boy with a long name who falls into a well. It is

a sort of origin myth about why Chinese names are so short today.

O’Connor, Barbara On the Road to Mr. Mineo’s Summer days drift by slowly in Meadville, South Carolina — that is,

until Sherman the one-legged pigeon flies into town and causes a

ruckus.

Oppenheim, S. Hundredth Name

Salah is sad because his beloved camel, Qadiim, seems so solemn and

unhappy. Set in a Muslim village in Egypt, this is a tale of friendship

and faith.

Osborne, Mary P. A Big Day for Baseball (Magic Treehouse series)

PLAY BALL! Jack and Annie aren’t great baseball players... yet!

Then Morgan the librarian gives them magical baseball caps.

Paterson, Katherine King’s Equal

In order to wear the crown of the kingdom, an arrogant young prince

must find an equal in his bride.

Patterson, James ***Robots Revolution (House of Robots series)

After a few early glitches in their relationship, Sammy and his “bro-

bot” E are now best friends. In fact, E is such a valued member of the

family that the other electronic members of the House of Robots are

feeling sorely unappreciated.

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Paulsen, Gary Lawn Boy (series)

Things get out of hand for a 12-year-old boy when a neighbor

convinces him to expand his summer lawn mowing business.

Pierce, Lincoln Big Nate Blasts Off (Big Nate series)

Meet Big Nate, P.S. 38’s coolest doodler and definitely NOT the

teacher’s pet!

Polacco, Patricia Mr. Lincoln’s Way

Eugene Esterhause, the school bully, is mean to everyone. Mr.

Lincoln, the school principal, hopes that Eugene’s interest in the

school atrium’s birds helps Eugene accept the differences in people.

Ravishankar, Anushka The Boy Who Drew Cats

A talking tea kettle, a monstrous goblin-spider that lives in a haunted

temple, miniature soldiers that plague a lazy young bride, and other

fanciful creatures abound in this captivating collection of eleven

Japanese fairy tales.

Roy, Ron The Zombie Zone (A to Z Mysteries series)

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are excited to vacation in the Louisiana

bayou. But the small village they visit has a scary problem!

December Dog (Calendar Mysteries series)

Bradley, Brian, Nate and Lucy find a lost puppy on Christmas Eve.

The poor dog was meant to be a present for someone. It has a ribbon

with a tag around its neck, but the tag is ripped.

Russell, Christine The Warrior Sheep Down Under

This action-tastic surfing, bungee jumping, white-water rafting

Antipodean adventure follows the Warrior Sheep as they try to rescue

a maiden in distress.

Sachar, Louis Sideways Stories from Wayside School (series)

Hilarious and wacky school stories from Wayside School.

Salisbury, Graham Calvin Coconut: Dog Heaven (series)

Calvin wants a dog! He asks his mom for one, but she says Calvin is

too irresponsible to care for a pet.

Say, Allen Grandfather’s Journey The sensitive story of a Japanese man who comes to America at the

turn of the century. He brings his bride to California and proceeds to

build his life there. With time, he grows restless for his homeland and

longs to return.

Selznick, Brian Houdini Box

Does the mysterious locked box contain the secrets to Houdini’s most

famous magic tricks?

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Sharmat, Marjorie Nate the Great and Hungry Book Club (Nate the Great series)

Nate and his faithful dog, Sludge, set off to solve this latest mystery.

Spinelli, Jerry Third Grade Angels Suds is determined to be the first to earn the halo from Mrs. Simms,

his third-grade teacher, but he’s finding the challenge of always being

good to be more stressful than he had anticipated.

Stilton, Gerinimo Magical Mission (Geronimo Stilton series)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is

always right around the corner. Each book is fast-paced with a unique

twist at the end.

Sobol, Donald Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme (series)

10-year-old Leroy Brown, aka Encyclopedia Brown, has an uncanny

knack for trivia and solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids

through his own detective agency.

Tarshis, Lauren I Survived Tornado Terror, 1925 (series)

Follow brave kids as they struggle to survive and overcome various

historical disasters.

Tashjian, Janet Einstein the Class Hamster

Einstein is from a long line of class hamsters. He knows lots of cool

facts about science, art, and history — maybe even more than the

class’ sleepy teacher, Ms. Moreno.

Thong, Roseanne Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors

Cultural traditions can be joyful, delicious and colorful! Join the party

with this Mexican family and learn how all the colors of the rainbow

fit into their lives.

Turk, Evan The Storyteller

A lone storyteller remains in a Moroccan city where the water sources

have all dried up. When a young boy seeks water, the water seller has

only a bowl to give him, but the storyteller tells him a tale that

miraculously fills the bowl with water.

Vail, Rachel Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters

It’s the start of the school year, and nothing feels right to Justin. He

didn’t get the teacher he wanted and he’s not in the same class as his

best friend. And to top it off, he’s lost his favorite stuffed animal, but

he can’t tell anyone.

Voigt, Cynthia Young Fredle

Fredle, a young mouse cast out of his home, faces dangers and

predators outside, makes some important discoveries and allies, and

learns the meaning of freedom as he struggles to return home.

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Warner, Gertrude The Legend of the Irish Castle (Boxcar Children Mysteries series)

Enjoy the adventures of Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny in these

Boxcar Children books.

Warner, Sally EllRay Jakes the Recess King! (EllRay Jakes series)

Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes is looking for a new best friend, and he

decides that the best way to find one is to come up with a bunch of

amazing things to do at recess — and see who shares in the fun.

White, E. B. Stuart Little

Debonair mouse Stuart Little sets out in the world to find his dearest

friend, a little bird.

Woodson, Jacqueline Show Way

Based on Woodson’s own history, the unforgettable story tells of

African American women across generations, from slavery and the

Civil Rights Movement to the present.

BIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Annmarie When I Grow Up: Sally Ride

Sally Ride was the first American female astronaut to go to space. But

Sally Ride did more than just travel to space. She also was a teacher

and an author.

Andrews, Troy Trombone Shorty

New Orleans jazz musician, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, tells

the story of how he got his nickname and his start in jazz music.

Bryant, Jen Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

An inspiring picture-book biography of Louis Braille — a blind boy so

determined to read that he invented his own alphabet.

Buzzeo, Tony A Passion for Elephants: The Real-Life Adventure of Field

Scientist Cynthia Moss

A science and nature biography of Cynthia Moss, the elephant expert.

Byrd, Robert Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin

Franklin

Presents a detailed tribute to the life and times of the Founding Father.

Chin-Lee, Cynthia Amelia to Zora

Biographies of 26 women who changed the world.

Coy, John Hoop Genius Discover the true story of how Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at

a school in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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Demi The Dalai Lama

This brief biography covers the life and mission of the Tibetan

spiritual and political leader.

Fritz, Jean Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? Why were those pesky Americans causing so much trouble?

Levy, Debbie I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

Disagreeing does NOT make a person disagreeable. In fact, it can

change the world! Throughout her life, Supreme Court Justice Ruth

Bader Ginsburg has made a big difference, one disagreement at a time.

Meltzer, Brad I Am Jim Henson (series)

This biography series brings American history to life for young

children, providing them with the right role models and inspiring them

to strive and dream.

Nat Geo Sacagawea Sacagawea is a book about the life of a Shoshone American Indian girl

who helped American explorers Meriwether Lewis and Captain

William Clark find a route to the Pacific Ocean.

Nelson Mandela Son of a Thembu chief in South Africa, Mandela began his lifelong

campaign against white colonial rule while a college

student. His commitment to freedom gained him the Nobel Peace

Prize.

Morales, Yuyi Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

A biography of Cesar Chavez from age 10, when he and his family

lived happily on their Arizona ranch, to age 38, when he led a peaceful

protest against California migrant workers’ miserable working

conditions.

Nobleman, Marc Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman

In 1934 during the Depression, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two

misfit teens from Cleveland, created a superhero who was everything

they were not.

Pinkney, Andrea Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech and Mahalia

Jackson’s gospel songs changed the course of history.

Rappaport, Doreen Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglas

The author captures Frederick’s journey from boy to man, from

slavery to freedom, by weaving Frederick’s powerful words with her

own.

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Rhodes-Pitts, Sharifa Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, A Young Artist in Harlem

Follows the creative adventures of the young Jacob Lawrence as he

finds inspiration in the vibrant colors and characters of his community

in Harlem.

Robertson, Robbie Hiawatha and the Peacemaker

Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, musical icon Robbie Robertson

learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker,

as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Now he shares the same story

with a new generation.

Stanley, Diane Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer

A hundred years before the dawn of the digital age, Ada Lovelace

envisioned the computer-driven world we know today.

St. George, Judith The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt

In this series of picture storybooks, we learn about the lives of our

presidents.

Tavares, Matt Crossing Niagara

The Great Blondin walked from America to Canada across Niagara

Falls on a rope many times, each time adding another death-defying

flourish.

Thompson, Laurie Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

In 2001, with one strong leg, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah bicycled 400

miles around Ghana to spread the message that “being disabled does

not mean being unable.”

Winter, Jonah You Never Heard of Casey Stengel (series)

In this striking picture book biography, an old-timer tells us what made

Casey Stengel such an amazing baseball player.

Who Is/Was Bios Who was Sojourner Truth? (series)

Easy-to-read, illustrated biography series.

Who Was Joan of Arc?

Who Was Blackbeard?

HISTORY

Bateman, Teresa Red, White, Blue and Uncle Who?

This book discusses the origins of all the major American patriotic

symbols.

Conklin, Thomas Titanic Sinks!

The exciting and true story about the “unsinkable” Titanic! Dramatic

accounts and fast-paced action of how the world’s biggest, safest ship

sank on its maiden voyage.

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Cook, Peter You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Mayflower!

In this book, readers become the main character and can revel in the

gory and dark sides of life throughout important moments in history.

DK Publishing Civil War (Eyewitness Books)

Rare documents, powerful weapons, and priceless artifacts. Stories of

courage, adventure, and defiance paint an unforgettable portrait of the

Civil War.

Floca, Brian Locomotive

Pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and

strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving;

and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.

Freedman, Russell Boston Tea Party

From the arrival of the ships full of controversial taxed tea in Boston

Harbor, through the explosive protest meetings at the Old South

Church, Freedman includes all the details.

Hinshaw, Dorothy Dogs on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond Follow man’s best friend onto the battlefield, learn why dogs are

uniquely qualified for the job at hand, how they are trained, how they

contribute to missions, and what happens when they retire.

Kurlansky, Mark Story of Salt

Explores the many ways salt is gathered from the earth and sea; how

ancient emperors in China, Egypt and Rome used it to keep their

subjects happy; why salt was key to the Age of Exploration; what salt

meant to the American Revolution; and how the search for salt

eventually led to oil.

Nelson, Vaunda M. The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore

Relates the story of the National Memorial African Bookstore,

founded in Harlem by Louis Michaux in 1939.

Provensen, Alice Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States

Detailed pictures present both personal and political facts about the

United States presidents and historical events occurring during their

term.

Reynolds, Jan Himalaya (Vanishing Culture series)

For the Sherpas and Tibetans who live high in the Himalaya, sharing

and living in harmony with the world around them is most important.

Rockliff, Mara Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved A Mystery That

Baffled All of France

The story of Ben Franklin’s involvement in the early development of

the scientific method during a visit to France.

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St. George, Judith Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence

A witty and wonderfully illustrated true story of the invincible

Declaration.

Standiford, Natalie Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

A compelling account based on an actual event of Balto, a sled dog

who led his team through snow and ice over 53 miles of northern

Alaska wilderness to deliver some medicine.

Tardif, Benoit Metropolis

Take a whirlwind trip around the world! Metropolis explores the

sights, sounds, and tastes of 34 of the greatest cities on Earth.

“Where Is” series Where is the Parthenon? (series)

Easy-to-read, illustrated historical landmark series

Where is the Brooklyn Bridge?

Weatheford, Carole B. Freedom in Congo Square

This poetic, non-fiction account of a little-known piece of African

American history captures a human’s capacity to find hope and joy in

difficult circumstances.

Winter, Jonah Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act

of 1965

An elderly African American woman, en route to vote, remembers her

family’s tumultuous voting history.

“100 Facts” Ancient Greece One hundred facts, fantastic illustrations and hilarious cartoons

provide the inside story on Greek life, while fun quizzes test your

knowledge.

POETRY

Alexander, Cecil All Things Bright and Beautiful

This timeless ode to nature calls everyone to celebrate the wonders of

life.

Dakos, Kalli Don’t Read This Book, Whatever You Do

These poems celebrate the world of education and all the poignant,

whimsical, and wondrous moments that occur in the classroom.

Florian, Douglas Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles

Meander through the different aisles of comical poems, everything

from laugh-out-loud limericks to frenetic free verse.

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Fogliano, Julie When Green Becomes Tomatoes

Forty-eight short poems follow the four seasons, beginning and

concluding on March 20, a bird singing, “each tweet poking / a tiny

hole / through the edge of winter,” as spring comes round again.

Grimes, Nikki Poems in the Attic

During a visit to her grandma’s house, a young girl discovers a box of

poems in the attic, poems written by her mother when she was

growing up.

Hammill, Elizabeth Over the Hills and Far Away: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

A unique collection of rhymes and verse from across the globe.

Hopkins, Lee B. Extra Innings: Baseball Poems

This collection of 19 poems is about baseball.

Janeczko, Paul Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems

Thirty-six very short poems in this collection remind readers that a few

perfect words and pictures can make the world glow.

Johnson, Brian Henry Hockeysticks: A Day on the Pond

A day on the pond for Henry is a dream come true.

Joyce, Sidman This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

When Mrs. Merz asks her sixth-grade class to write poems of apology,

they end up liking their poems so much they decide to put them into a

book.

Lewis, J. Patrick Poem-mobiles: Crazy Car Poems Inventive poems about cars... but they’re not just any cars.

Muldrow, Diane We Planted a Tree

In this simple poem with environmental themes, two young families in

two very different parts of the world each plant a tree. As the trees

flourish, so do the families.

Muth, Jon J Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons

Bestselling author/artist Jon J. Muth takes a fresh and exciting new

look at the four seasons!

Paschkis, Julie Flutter and Hum: Animal Poems

All sorts of animals flutter and hum, dance and stretch, and slither and

leap their way through this joyful collection of poems.

Prelutsky, Jack Dragons Are Singing Tonight

These 17 poems about dragons range from the whimsical to the scary,

but all reflect Prelutsky’s incomparable flair for rhythm and humor.

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Raczka, Bob Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems

Who says words need to be concrete? This collection shapes poems in

surprising and delightful ways.

Silverstein, Shel A Light in the Attic

A collection of humorous poems and drawings by the beloved poet.

Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook

A work in progress for 20 years, this books was published

posthumously in 2005.

Spinelli, Eileen Polar Bear, Arctic Hare: Poems of the Frozen North

These playful poems capture the icy splendor of the Arctic’s

environment and its inhabitants. Facts about each creature are included

in the back matter.

Yolen, Jane Shape Me a Rhyme: Nature’s Forms in Poetry Unusual collection of poems and photographs focused on shapes in

nature.There are imaginative surprises too.

Yoon, Joohee Beastly Verse Consisting of playful as well as powerfully memorable poems, this

book aims to help return the wonder of poetry to children’s lives.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Every student must read one book from this category.

Adams, Simon Best Book of Volcanoes

Colorful close-ups help explain the different types of volcanoes. Clear

cutaway illustrations take readers from the outer crust to the red hot

core.

Anthony, Joseph In a Nutshell

A beautifully illustrated book about the life cycle of an oak and how it

supports life even after it is gone.

Aston, Dianna Hutts A Nest Is Noisy

Whether filled with chirping birds, buzzing bees, or bubbling fish,

there are many kinds of nests: some are “ spiky,” others “peculiar,”

and some are even made of ants!

Berger, Melvin 101 Hidden Animals

Discover the 101 most amazing disguises in the animal kingdom: how

insects, reptiles, mammals, birds and fish blend into their

backgrounds!

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Burleigh, Robert One Giant Leap

On July 29, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the seemingly

impossible — something humans had dreamed of doing for centuries:

They traveled 240,000 miles through space and set foot on the moon.

Clarke, Ginjer L. Giant Lizards

Fascinating facts about lizards, both living and extinct.

Cole, Joanne Magic School Bus 3-D: Journey Through the Solar System

Mrs. Frizzle’s exciting tour to the solar system is even more dramatic

in 3-D.

Delacre, Lulu Olinguito, from A to Z!

This bilingual nonfiction alphabet book introduces readers to a cloud

forest in the Andes; the plants, animals and other organisms found

there; and the newly-identified olinguito, a South American mammal.

Duke, Kate In the Rainforest

Describes the physical divisions of the rainforest, such as the canopy

and the understory. Included are special features of the area.

Fleming, Candace Giant Squid

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As

large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing

scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave

behind.

Gifford, Clive Robots (Discover Science series)

Read about the real-life robots that are mowing our lawns, spying on

us, saving lives, and doing what humans cannot.

Hatkoff, Craig Hope for Winter: The True Story of A Remarkable Dolphin

Friendship

Exactly five years and one day after the tailless dolphin Winter was

rescued, something pretty amazing happened. Just feet from where

Winter was found, another injured dolphin appeared, orphaned from

her mother and struggling to survive.

Jenkins, Steve Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics

How many species are there across the globe? How much do all of the

insects in the world collectively weigh? How far can animals travel?

Steve Jenkins answers these questions and more with numbers,

images, innovation and authoritative science in his latest work.

Jenkins, Steve Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to

Remember Some creatures have unusual ways of protecting themselves or

catching prey, which can make them harmful to your health.

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Jennings, Ken Outer Space Did you know that Mars has a volcano bigger than the state of

Arizona? Or that there’s a star with a diamond the size of our moon at

its core? Become an expert and wow your friends with out-of-this-

world facts.

London, Jonathan Hippos are Huge!

An acclaimed naturalist takes an exuberant look at these massive,

swift, and super dangerous animals in this lavishly illustrated picture

book.

Lowell, Barbara George Ferris, What a Wheel!

When George Ferris first pitched the idea, everyone thought he was

crazy. A 250-foot bicycle wheel that goes around and around and

carries people in train cars? Can’t be done! He proved them wrong.

Nat Geo Mars

Learn the latest information on Mars, the Mars Rover, and our ongoing

exploration of the Red Planet.

Robots

Discover the coolest robots of today and tomorrow and learn the

science behind these amazing machines.

Everything Dogs

Explores the world of these extraordinary animals! Learn all about the

characteristics that define dogs, their daily lives, the different breeds,

and much more!

Neuschwander, C. Sir Cumference and the Fracton Faire Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter introduce fractions at the

Fracton Faire in the 10th installment of the Sir Cumference series.

Nguyen, Nam Extreme Rainforest

Rainforests cover only 6 percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they

support more than half of the world’s plant and animal species.

Parker, Steve Inside Military Machines Have you ever wondered how missiles seek their targets? Or why

aircraft carriers have catapults? Discover how military machines work

— from helicopter gunships to rocket launchers.

St. George, Judith So You Want to Be an Inventor?

This volume includes brief sketches of inventors and inventions, both

famous and little-known.

Simon, Seymour Hurricanes

Hurricanes. Typhoons. Cyclones. No matter what you call them, these

formidable, swirling storms are the most devastating events in nature.

19

Worth, Bonnie Once Upon a Mastodon: All About Prehistoric Mammals Learn about the Great Ice Age and early human life, the characteristics

of mammals, and the study of fossils.

Summaries for the books are taken from professional reviews and various Internet sources.