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:
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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
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Science & Tech (required)
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***FREE CHOICE***
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Parent Signature
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2
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 everincreasing problem.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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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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.
Kipling, Rudyard
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.
6
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 “brobot” 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.
7
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?
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
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.
15
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-thisworld 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.
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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.
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