5th Grade- Class of 2033

Hello incoming 5th graders!

Summer is a great time for reading, and we encourage you to read as many books as possible. We hope you even make time to do some reading that is not part of a school assignment!

You have many options for obtaining your summer reading books. You can buy them, check them out from a public library, or, if you are a returning student, check them out from the Dwight library or as ebooks using Sora.

If you are a returning student and would like more information on how to use Sora to check out ebooks for summer reading, make sure to visit the Sora page on this website.

Photo by Dan Dumitriu on Unsplash

Over the summer you need to read one required book that is assigned by your teachers and one book of your choice from the options below. Please write these in one document or journal, and bring a hard copy of your list to school on the first day of term.

One book is assigned and required by your teachers. Everyone will read: Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper.

While these lists offer excellent recommendations, we also encourage you to take some time this summer to explore library shelves and visit bookstores. Discovering new books that ignite your passion for reading can be an exciting journey.

We also recommend checking out the Grammar Sense Workbook to practice over the summer. Wishing you a joyful summer of reading!

summer assignment

Eleven-year-old Melody knows she is different from most other kids her age: she can't walk, talk, or write in the same way as her peers. She has cerebral palsy, a condition that impacts how your muscles work. She does have a photographic memory, however, and is incredibly smart. Most people at her school dismiss her or believe she isn't capable of doing the work, just because her body is different. She's determined to prove everyone wrong and show them how smart she actually is, she just has to figure out how.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

You are expected to read this title over the summer, in order to complete your summer reading assignment. For your assignment, choose from ONE of the options below:

You are a new fifth grade teacher: Write a review of the book explaining to parents why, or why not, this is a great book for fifth graders to read.

You are a reporter: Write a front-page news story live from the scene of one of the main character’s adventures.

You are a children’s book reviewer: Write a review discussing one lesson that you think that this book teaches and explain why this lesson is important.

You are an artist: Illustrate a picture of your favorite scene from the book. Prepare a caption that could hang in the museum next to your illustration explaining your drawing.

You are a literary agent: Write a letter to the publishing company designed to persuade them to publish the book.

If you have any questions, or if you are not able to complete the reading before the start of school, email the Head of Middle School Humanities, Ms. Nieto, at mnieto@dwight.edu.