Indian Hill School Summer Reading Program 2012 Grade 4 - Holmdel

Indian Hill School
Summer Reading Program
2012
Grade 4
Goal:
Students will develop a love of reading and experience developmentally
appropriate literature (interest, reading level, content).
Guiding philosophy:
Summer reading is an opportunity for students to continue the
reinforcement of reading skills independently. The chosen reading list
offers a variety of critical reading skills that support reading fluency and
comprehension.
Reading Task:
All students will read two books on the approved list for the grade they will
enter in the fall. Students who wish to read additional books may select
these from the approved list or from their own reading interests.
Summer Reading Assignment:
The students will complete an assignment in class within the first two
weeks of school in September. They are encouraged to bring their books
with them to aid in completing the assignment.
Happy Reading and Have a Great Summer!
Sincerely,
Tali Axelrod
Indian Hill School Principal

Entering Fourth Graders
2012 Summer Reading Lists
Choose an appropriate book Choose an appropriate book
from the following authors from the following series
Avi Fudge series, by Blume
Lynne Reid Banks Amber Brown, by Danziger
Matt Christopher Deltora Quest, by Rodda
Andrew Clements Time Warp Trio, by Scieszka
Ann M. Martin Series of Unfortunate Events, by Snicket
Pam Munoz Ryan Eyewitness Jr., by various
* above grade level
Title: Mr. Popper's Penguins (Q)
Author: Richard and Florence Atwater
Summary: The unexpected delivery of a large crate containing an Antarctic penguin
changes the life and fortunes of Mr. Popper, a house painter obsessed by dreams of the
Polar Regions.
Title: Peter and the Starcatchers * (X)
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Summary: Peter, an orphan boy, and his friend Molly fight off thieves and pirates in
order to keep the secret safe away from the diabolical Black Stache and his evil associate
Mister Grin.
Title: The Penderwicks* (S)
Author: Jeanne Birdsall
Summary: While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four
lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the
dismay of his snobbish mother.
Title: Absolutely Normal Chaos* (V)
Author: Sharon Creech
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Mary Lou grows up considerably during the summer while
learning about romance, homesickness, death, and her cousin's search for his biological
father.
Title: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Q)
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Summary: Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until
he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country,
acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

Entering Fourth Graders
2012 Summer Reading Lists
Title: Harriet the Spy (T)
Author: Louise Fitzhugh
Summary: Eleven-year-old Harriet keeps notes on her classmates and neighbors in a
secret notebook, but when some of the students read the notebook, they seek revenge.
Title: Baseball’s Best Five True Stories (O)
Author: Andrew Gutelle
Summary: Profiles the achievements of such baseball greats as Babe Ruth, Joe
DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron, all of whom were
elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Title: Scat*
Author: Carl Hiassen
Summary: Nick and his friend Marta decide to investigate when a mysterious fire starts
near a Florida wildlife preserve and an unpopular teacher goes missing.
Title: Our Only May Amelia (R)
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Summary: As the only girl in a Finnish American family of seven brothers, May Amelia
Jackson resents being expected to act like a lady while growing up in Washington in
1899.
Title: Everything on a Waffle (V)
Author: Polly Horvath
Summary: Eleven-year-old Primrose, who lives in a small fishing village in British
Columbia, recounts her experiences and all that she learns about human nature and the
unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost at sea.
Title: The Mermaid Summer
Author: Mollie Hunter
Summary: With the help of her brother, Jon, twelve-year-old Anna daringly seeks to
discover the secret means to undo a mermaid's curse upon their grandfather.
Title: The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins (M)
Author: Barbara Kerley
Summary: The true story of Victorian artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who built
life-sized models of dinosaurs in the hope of educating the world about what these aweinspiring
ancient animals were like.

Entering Fourth Graders
2012 Summer Reading Lists
Title: What to do about Alice?
Author: Barbara Kerley
Summary: An illustrated biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth that focuses on her
experiences while her father was president of the United States.
Title: Ella Enchanted (U)
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Summary: In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the
childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.
Title: The New Way Things Work
Author: David Macaulay
Summary: Text and numerous detailed illustrations introduce
and explain the scientific principles and workings of hundreds of machines and includes
new material about digital technology.
Title: The Doll People
Author: Ann M. Martin
Summary: A family of porcelain dolls that has lived in the same house for one hundred
years is taken aback when a new family of plastic dolls arrives and doesn't follow The
Doll Code of Honor.
Title: The Great Gilly Hopkins (S)
Author: Katherine Paterson
Summary: An eleven-year-old foster child tries to cope with her longings and fears as
she schemes against everyone who tries to be friendly.
Title: It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles
Author: Jack Prelutsky
Summary: A collection of humorous poems such as "The Dancing Hippopotami," "You
Can't Make Me Eat That," "My Father's Name is Sasquatch," and "Dear
Wumbledeedumble."
Title: Math Curse (P)
Author: Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
Summary: When the teacher tells her class that they can think of almost everything as a
math problem, one student acquires a math anxiety which becomes a real curse.

Entering Fourth Graders
2012 Summer Reading Lists
Title: When is a Planet Not a Planet?
Author: Elaine Scott
Summary: Explains Pluto's reassignment on August 24, 2006, from planet to dwarf
planet. Includes illustrations.
Title: Fourth Grade Rats (Q)
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Summary: Suds learns that his best friend is wrong. You don't have to be a tough guy, a
"rat," to be a grown up fourth grader.
Title: Tiger (T)
Author: Jeff Stone
Summary: Five young warrior-monk brothers survive an insurrection and must use the
ancient arts to avenge their Grandmaster.
Title: A Drop of Water
Author: Walter Wick
Summary: Describes the origins, characteristics, and uses of water.

Entering Fourth Graders
2012 Summer Reading Lists