Carolina School for
Inquiry
2008 SUMMER
READING LIST
GRADES K-3
Nonfiction | Fiction | Fairy Tales/Folklore | Poetry
Introduction
Welcome to Carolina School for Inquiry’s Sizzling Summer Reading Program, K-3!
The summer reading list is designed to encourage students at CSI to make reading a
habit, raising both their interests and level of reading. With encouragement, Marblehead
children will achieve the benefits that reading brings. Successful reading motivates
children to read more often and for enjoyment, which leads to a lifelong love of reading.
Your support and encouragement will enable your child to achieve this goal.
We recommend that each child read at least 15-20 minutes each day and that, in
addition, you read to your child every day. Your child should read books at a reading
level that is comfortable to him/ her. Some children may want and need your support and
company as they read. Your child may enjoy rereading a favorite book, thereby building
fluency as well as enjoyment. Very young children may like to tell the story in their own
words as they “read” the pictures. You may read together, alternating pages or
paragraphs. More accomplished readers will choose more challenging books to read on
their own. ALL children benefit from reading with parents, guardians, or other family
members, such as big brothers and sisters. The important thing is that reading be a
positive, enjoyable experience.
To help you and your child choose appropriate books, we have included a wide range of
reading levels and genres, but you are not limited to these titles. There are many more
books from which to choose at Richland County Public Library and other libraries and
bookstores. Librarians are always eager to help each child find just the right books for
him or her.
Thank you for helping make reading an important part of your child’s learning
experience. Let’s have a sizzling summer of reading! Please join us this summer by
reading to your child and by encouraging your child to read!
Sincerely,
Your child’s teachers
Nonfiction
Picture Books
Abraham Lincoln by Amy L. Cohn and Suzy Schmidt (Bio)
A simple biography of the Illinois lawyer who served the country as president through the
difficulties of the Civil War.
Actual Size by Steve Jenkins (Sci)
Discusses and gives examples of the size and weight of various animals and parts of
animals.
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Cross Giblin (Bio)
A biography of the 18th century printer, inventor, and statesman who played an
influential role in the early history of the United States.
Beachcombing: Exploring the Seashore by Jim Arnosky (Sci)
Illustrations and text describe some of the many things that can be found on a walk along
the beach, including coconuts, shark teeth, jellyfish, crabs and different kinds of shells.
Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner (Bio)
An introduction to the life of the Philadelphia seamstress credited with sewing the first
American flag.
Crafts to Make in the Summer by Kathy Ross
This book presents twenty-nine easy-to-make craft projects with summertime themes,
including a mouse sunglasses case, a firecracker finger puppet, and a seashell
candleholder.
Earthsteps: A Rock’s Journey through Time by Diane Nelson Spickert (Sci)
Describes the geological setting for the transformation of a rock to a grain of sand over
the course of millions of years.
Down to Earth by Michael J. Rosen (Sci)
Forty-one authors and illustrators of books for children share their gardening experiences.
Includes various activities and recipes related to gardening.
Hank Aaron, Brave in Every Way by Peter Golenbock (Bio)
A biography of the Hall of Fame baseball player who broke Babe Ruth’s career home run
record.
Hero Dogs: Courageous Canines in Action by Donna M. Jackson (Sci)
Presents a variety of stories about working and rescue dogs who help humans in many
ways, such as those involved in the work at the World Trade Center site after the disaster
of September 11, 2001.
Hurricanes by Seymour Simon (Sci)
Discusses where and how hurricanes are formed, the destruction caused by legendary
storms, and the precautions to take when a hurricane strikes. (series)
Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path by Joseph Bruchac (Bio)
A biography of Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, focusing on how his boyhood
education set the stage for his athletic achievements which gained him international fame
and Olympic gold medals.
M is for Mayflower, A Massachusetts Alphabet by Margot Theis Raven (Hist)
Presents information about the state of Massachusetts in an alphabetical arrangement.
Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss (Bio)
In 1931, seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell pitches against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in
an exhibition game, becoming the first professional female pitcher in baseball history.
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons (Sci)
Identifies the moon as our only natural satellite, describes its movement and phases, and
discusses how we have observed and explored it over the years.
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris (Bio)
A sister remembers growing up with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King.
O, Say Can You See? by Sheila Keenan (Hist)
Symbols are everywhere…but where do they come from? This celebration of twenty of
America’s important places, interesting objects, and inspiring words is for the youngest
Americans.
Ocean by Samantha Gray (Sci)
Find out fascinating facts about favorite ocean animals, including sharks, whales, and
dolphins.
Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers by Jerry Pallotta (Sci)
Presents a variety of sea creatures from one striped bass to 50 blue sharks.
Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown (Bio)
An introduction to the work and early life of the twentieth-century physicist whose theory
of relativity revolutionized scientific thinking.
One Small Place by the Sea by Barbara Brenner (Sci)
For one afternoon, a child visitor observes the cycle of change within a tide pool, a small
place at the edge of the sea that is home to many plants and animals.
Owls by Sandra Markle (Sci)
Discusses the physical characteristics of owls that combine to make them such able
predators. (series)
Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson (Bio)
Recounts the life story of the author of the “Little House” books from her childhood in
Wisconsin to her old age on Rocky Ridge Farm.
Play Ball by James Buckley, Jr.
Photographs and text, including tips from professional players, show how to warm up,
select the right equipment, and play baseball.
Purple Mountain Majesty: The Story of Katharine Lee Bates by Barbara Younger (Bio)
A brief biography of the author and college professor whose travels across the United
States inspired her to write the poem which became the song, “America the Beautiful.”
Rabble Rousers: 20 Women Who Made a Difference by Cheryl Harness
This book is about 20 women, spurred by misery and unfairness, who wanted to rouse the
people to their plight, and in so doing, dared to change the world.
The Revolutionary John Adams by Cheryl Harness (Bio)
A biography of John Adams with emphasis on his role in the American Revolution.
Soccer in Action by Niki Walker and Sarah Dann
This book introduces the techniques, equipment, rules, and safety requirements of soccer.
(series)
Space by Simon Holland (Sci)
A colorful first guide to astronomy packed facts about space exploration, the solar
system, planets, stars, galaxies, and much more.
Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies (Sci)
Introduces many different species of sharks, pointing out such characteristics as the small
size of the dwarf lantern shark and the physical characteristics and behavior that makes
sharks killing machines.
You Gotta Try This! by Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling (Sci)
A collection of science experiments and activities, arranged in such categories as
“Physical Attractions,” “Curious Chemistry,” and “Freaky Fluids.”
Fiction
Picture Books
Alice the Fairy by David Shannon
Alice, who claims to be a Temporary Fairy, still has a lot to learn, such as how to make
her clothes put themselves away in the closet.
Beatrice Doesn't Want To by Laura Numeroff
Beatrice doesn’t like books or the library until she attends story hour.
Epossumondas by Coleen Salley
A retelling of a classic tale in which a well-intentioned young possum continually takes
his mother’s instructions much too literally.
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen
The story describes what a young dinosaur should do in order to quickly get over being
sick.
I Am Absolutely Too Small For School by Lauren Child
Lola is absolutely certain that she doesn’t need school, but her brother Charlie tells her all
that she will learn.
Jack Outwits the Giants by Paul Brett Johnson
In this Appalachian folktale, Jack outwits two giants who want fresh meat for breakfast.
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
After Trixie and Daddy leave the Laundromat, something very important turns up
missing.
The Legend of the Curse of the Bambino by Dan Shaughnessy
Here’s the story of the Curse of the Bambino – the greatest baseball legend ever told.
Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Alison McGhee
A first grader is frightened on her first day of school after hearing a rumor that her
teacher is a 300-year-old alien with a purple tongue who steals baby teeth from her
students.
Mudball by Matt Tavares
During a rainy Minneapolis Millers baseball game in 1903, Little Andy Oyler has the
chance to become a hero by hitting the shortest and muddiest homerun in history.
The Shape Game by Anthony Browne
The author/illustrator describes how his mother’s wish to spend her birthday visiting an
art museum with her family changed the course of his life forever.
Sweet Tooth by Margie Palatini
Stewart’s loud, obnoxious sweet tooth constantly gets him into trouble, until Stewart uses
a healthy diet to take control of the situation.
The Wolf Who Cried Boy by Bob Hartman
Little Wolf is tired of eating limburgers and sloppy does, but when he tricks his parents
into thinking there is a boy in the woods, they could all miss a chance for a real feast.
Easy Readers
Amanda Pig, School Girl by Jean Van Leeuwen
Amanda Pig’s first day of school is every bit as wonderful as she always hoped it would
be. (series)
Biscuit Finds a Friend by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
A puppy helps a little duck find its way home to the pool. (series)
Detective Dinosaur Lost and Found by James Skofield
After Detective Dinosaur and Officer Pterodactyl find a missing baby and a home for
Cadet Kitty, they lose and find each other. (series)
The High-Rise Private Eyes and the Case of the Climbing Cat by Cynthia Rylant
The High-Rise Private Eyes, animal detectives, try to find the cat who stole their
neighbor’s binoculars. (series)
Gus and Grandpa by Claudia Mills
Gus and Grandpa have a loving, warm relationship. (series)
Lionel in the Summer by Stephen Krensky
Lionel enjoys the longest day of summer, celebrates the Fourth of July, has a lemonade
stand, and travels on vacation with his family. (series)
Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Nate the Great finds mystery at the beach when Oliver’s beach bag vanishes. (series)
Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Amelia Bedelia, who knows very little about baseball, stands in for a sick player during a
game. (series)
The School Play by Rosemary Wells
When Yoko’s class puts on a play about taking care of teeth, not everyone is happy with
their part. (series)
Tiny Goes to the Library by Cari Meister
Tiny the dog is a big help at the library when his owner takes out too many books to carry
home. (series)
Three Stories You Can Read to Your Teddy Bear by Sara Swan Miller
Bored with sitting on a shelf day after day, a teddy bear sets out on three adventures and
inadvertently gets the family dog and cat in trouble. (series)
Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery by David A. Adler
When a baseball game is stopped because of a lost ball, Cam uses her photographic
memory to find the ball. (series)
Chapter Books
Birthday Pony by Jessie Haas (Real Fic)
Grandma Aggie tries to help her granddaughter Jane and the independent pony, Popcorn,
who were born on the same day, become riding partners.
Butterly Buddies by Judy Cox (Real Fic)
Third grader Robin has a series of mishaps and learns the value of honesty as she tries to
become best friends with Zoey, her partner for a class project on raising
butterflies. The story includes butterfly care tips.
The Flower Fairy Series: The Charm Bracelet by Emily Rodda (Fant)
When Jessie searches for her ill grandmother’s missing charm bracelet, she is led to a
magical world and finds she has a reason and right to be there. (series)
Gooney Bird and the Room Mother by Lois Lowry (Real Fic)
Gooney Bird Greene, an entertaining second grader, who introduces challenging
vocabulary words and tells “absolutely true” stories, finds a surprise room mother to
bring cupcakes for the Thanksgiving pageant.
Horrible Harry and the Locked Closet by Suzy Kline (Mys)
Harry and his detective classmates try to find clues relating to a mysterious locked closet
in Room 3B. (series)
Jake Drake, Bully Buster by Andrew Clements (Real Fic)
Jake takes matters into his own hands when a super bully moves into the neighborhood.
(series)
Judy Moody, M.D. The Doctor’s In! by Megan McDonald (Real Fic)
Judy is all excited about becoming a doctor, especially when Class 3T starts a new unit
on the human body, but she learns more about being a patient when she catches tonsillitis
from her little brother, Stink. (series)
Mallory on the Move by Laurie Friedman (Real Fic)
After moving to a new town, eight-year-old Mallory keeps throwing stones in the
“wishing pond” but things will not go back to the way they were before, and she remains
torn between old and new best friends.
Miss Daisy Is Crazy by Dan Gutman (Real Fic)
Miss Daisy’s unusual teaching methods surprise her second grade students, especially
reluctant learner, A.J. (series)
Owen Foote, Soccer Star by Stephanie Greene (Real Fic)
When eight-year-old Owen and his best friend, Joseph, join a neighborhood soccer
league, they not only face a test of their game skills but also of their friendship.
Robert Takes a Stand by Barbara Seuling (Real Fic)
Political experience gained in a class election comes in handy when Robert and his friend
Paul act on behalf of endangered animals.
Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look (Real Fic)
“Almost-eight-year-old” Ruby Lu spends time with her baby brother, goes to Chinese
school, performs magic tricks, learns to drive, and has adventures with both old and new
friends.
Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger (Real Fic)
Amber Brown loves the second grade but wonders if she will ever receive an award from
Deskarina, the desk fairy, for keeping her desk clean.
Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen (Mys)
Fifth grader Nolan Byrd, tired of being called names by the class bully, has a secret
identity – Shredderman! (series)
The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black (Fant)
When the Grace children go to stay at their great-aunt Lucinda’s dilapidated Victorian
house, they discover a field guide to fairies and other creatures and begin to have some
unusual experiences. (series)
Stink, the Incredibly Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald (Real Fic)
The shortest kid in the second grade, James Moody, also known as Stink, learns all about
the shortest president of the United States, James Madison, when they celebrate
Presidents’ Day at school.
Summer with Elisa by Johann Hurwitz (Real Fic)
During the summer between first and second grades, Elisa struggles to write to her
brother Russell at camp and then enjoys a family vacation in the country.
The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith (Fant)
In 1930, on the coast of Scotland, eight-year-old Kirstie finds a large egg which hatches
into an unusual sea creature, and as he grows, her family must decide what to do with
him.
Fairy Tales and Folklore
Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan
The colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, whom they think is the most beautiful of
birds, o decorate them with some of his “blackening brew.”
The Brave Little Seamstress by Mary Pope Osbourne
A seamstress who kills seven flies with one blow outwits the king, and with the help of a
kind knight, becomes a wise and kind queen.
Cats of Myth by Gerald and Loretta Hausman
A collection of stories from Egypt, India, Japan, Scandinavia, Ireland and other places
that portray cats as goddesses, guardians, tricksters, warriors, magicians, and more.
Cendrillion: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert San Souci (ALA)
A Creole variant of the familiar Cinderella tale set in the Caribbean and narrated by the
godmother who helps Cendillion find true love.
A Child’s Book of Faeries by Tanya Robyn Batt
An anthology that introduces a variety of fairy folk through stories, poems, and snippets
of lore.
Clay Boy by Mirra Ginsburg
Wanting a son, an old man and woman make a clay boy who comes to life and begins
eating everything in sight until he meets a clever goat.
Dogs of Myth by Gerald and Loretta Hausman
A collection of traditional tales about dogs from around the world, arranged in such
categories as "The Trickster Dog," "The Enchanted Dog," and "The Super Dog."
The Elves and the Shoemaker by The Brothers Grimm
A poor shoemaker becomes successful with the help of two elves who finish his shoes
during the night.
A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman
A clever, cheerful, hard-working farmer's son wins the hand of a Chinese princess by
outwitting her father the Emperor, who treasures his daughter more than all the rice in
China.
Jabuti the Tortoise: a Trickster Tale from the Amazon by Gerald McDermott
All the birds enjoy the song-like flute music of Jabuti, the tortoise, except Vulture who,
jealous because he cannot sing, tricks Jabuti into riding his back toward a festival planned
by the King of Heaven.
Leola and the Honeybears by Melodye Rosales
An African American version of Goldilocks and the three bears.
More True Lies: 18 Tales for You to Judge by George Shannon
Presents a collection of eighteen brief folktales in which the reader is asked to explain
how the folk character lied and told the truth at the same time.
The Nightingale by Jerry Pinkney
Despite being neglected by the emperor for a jewel-studded bird, the little nightingale
revives the dying ruler with its beautiful song.
Raisel’s Riddle by Erica Silverman
A Jewish version of the Cinderella story, in which a poor but educated young woman
captivates her "Prince Charming" a rabbi's son, at a Purim ball.
Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth
Three wise monks trick a poor, frightened community into finding happiness by teaching
them the magic of generosity.
Tom Thumb by Marianna Mayer
Tom survives being eaten by a cow, a fish, and a giant and is knighted by King Arthur in
this illustrated retelling.
Poetry
From the Dog House: Poems to Chew On by Amy E. Sklansky
This delightful collection celebrates dogs in all their tail-wagging, tongue-lolling glory.
In Our Backyard Garden by Eileen Spinelli
This collection of poems invites young readers to step out the back door and into a family
garden where plants aren’t the only things growing.
Mathematickles by Betsy Franco and Steven Salerno
A collection of poems written in the form of mathematical problems and grouped
according to seasonal themes.
My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States by Lee Bennett Hopkins
In My America, Lee Bennett Hopkins weaves together fifty poems – grouped by
geographic region – to create a remarkable portrait of the United States.
Please Bury Me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis
A collection of original poems about books and reading that ranges from sweet to silly to
laugh-out-loud funny.
Scien-Trickery: Riddles in Science by Frank Remkiewicz
A collection of poems that describes people, places, and things associated with science,
including oxygen, the ocean, and germs.
Swing Around the Sun by Barbara Juster Esbensen
This collection of poetry celebrates one of nature’s greatest achievements – the four
seasons.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Alice Schertle
An illustrated collection of more than a dozen poems that celebrate teddy bears.