Embedded Files
Thank you for a wonderful school year! We have enjoyed working with and getting to know your students during the 2018-2019 school year!
Last Day of School: Tuesday, May 21st. This is an early dismissal day, dismissal is at 12:00pm.
Have a great summer!
Here is our summer reading list:
Favorite Books for Fifth-Graders
Fiction
Adventure
I Am the Ice Worm by MaryAnn Easley (Boys Mill Press, 1998).
This book is sort of a girls' version of Gary Paulsen's classic Hatchet. In both stories, a teenage character is stranded in the wilderness following a plane crash. In I Am the Ice Worm, 14-year-old Allison is rescued from the Alaskan wild by an Inupiat trapper, who takes her to his village to stay until she can be reunited with her mother. Allison's upbringing in an upper-class family in southern California certainly didn't prepare her for this icy adventure, but she turns out to have courage and adaptability that she didn't expect. Though Allison may initially seem too "girly" for boy readers, this novel has a great blend of adventure, wilderness and family matters that will captivate boys and girls.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
The story is about Brian, 13, and how he manages to survive 54 days in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Brian was flying to visit his father when the pilot dies of a heart attack in mid-flight. Brian crash lands the plane into a small lake and swims out of the wreckage. He has his clothing, a tattered windbreaker and a hatchet (a gift from his mother). The novel takes us through Brian's days, how he learns patience through his experiences with failures and small successes: building a fire, fishing and hunting, making his shelter a safe one. He endures a porcupine attack, a tornado and being utterly alone for almost two months. This is a tale of adventure but, more importantly, it is a tale of character growth.
Kit's Wilderness by David Almond (Dell-Laurel Leaf, 1999).
Kit's family moves to Stoneygate, an old coal-mining town where his family has lived for generations, to be near his ailing grandfather. Here, Kit is invited by an odd neighbor boy to play a game called Death. The game and the town's haunted history get under Kit's skin, while the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur. This multi-generational tale is engrossing and chilling.
Peakby Roland Smith (Harcourt, 2007).
When 14-year-old Peak Marcello is caught scaling a skyscraper to place his signature graffiti tag, he is offered a choice: spend three years in juvenile detention or climb Mt. Everest with his long-absent father. Though the choice might be easy, the journey is not. Peak is physically and emotionally challenged by the grueling climb, the weather, and the politics and drama of climbing culture. And the pressure is on, because if Peak can reach the summit before his 15th birthday, he'll break a world record and gain glory and money. Peak is gripping and surprising, and though it's written for a middle-grade audience, readers young and old will be sucked in by the sharp writing and memorable characters.
The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean (Harper Teen, 2005).
Sym Wates is obsessed with everything Antarctic — especially the doomed explorer Titus Oates, who died in a 1911 expedition to the South Pole. She is thrilled when her uncle Victor arranges to take her to Antarctica, but her delight doesn't last; it turns out that Uncle Victor has a strange ulterior motive for the trip and that some of Sym's fellow travelers aren't who they claim to be — especially Uncle Victor. The White Darkness weaves history, family drama and adventure into a thrilling tale.
Baseball in April and Other Stories by Gary Soto (Harcourt Paperbacks, 2000).
Set in a Latino community in Fresno, California, these contemporary short stories take on universal life lessons. Perfect for a fifth-grade reader, Soto is gifted at telling tales that intrigue and instruct kids. Baseball in April is sure to inspire discussion, so chat about it with your child.
The Light Princessby George McDonald, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1984).
Just when you think your child might be getting too old for fairy tales, along comes this amazing 19th-century princess story to change both of your minds. Chock-full of puns and mixed with just the right blend of whimsy and ethics lessons, The Light Princess deserves a fresh set of 21st-century eyes.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer (Yearling, 1988).
Described by many children as "the best book ever," this is fantasy at its best. Full of irony and insights, Juster created a masterpiece when he wrote The Phantom Tollbooth. Give this book to your child and let the wave of words and numbers sweep them into a fantastical world. A clever, almost indescribable book that you may already know about, but is too indispensable to keep from mentioning it here.
The Secret Gardenby Frances Burnett, illustrated by Tasha Tudor (HarperCollins, 1911).
Beautifully written, the book shows two selfish, disagreeable children transformed by the magic of nature and their own imaginations as they work to bring a near-dead garden back to life. For the serious kid reader, this is a stay-up-all night, flashlight-under-the-covers story with fine watercolor illustrations. Hodgson combines realism, mystery and moral sensibility to make a world children will love.
Fun Books About Math
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventureby Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Wayne Geehan (Charlesbridge Publishing, 1999).
This book is the perfect read-aloud to introduce the concepts of circumference, diameter and radius. Students will be exposed to many other geometric shapes as well. Children of all ages will enjoy this mathematical adventure. Sir Circumference and his Knight work to solve a mathematical dilemma. What would be the best-shaped table for Sir Circumference to gather his knights? Will it be a square, rectangle, parallelogram or circle? You must read to find out.
Historical Fiction
Bread and Roses, Tooby Katherine Paterson (Houghton Mifflin, 2006).
Life in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1912 wasn't easy. ... Born to Italian immigrants, Rosa's parents and older sister work in the mills. After her father died in a mill accident, Rosa's mother took in a family of boarders. Even though they needed the money, Rosa's feisty mother insisted that 12-year-old Rosa attend school rather than work in the mill. ... With her unfailing empathy for the young, Paterson combines the thoughts and feelings of a timid child who is torn between the admonitions of an admired teacher who talks against an unfolding mill strike and her earthy Italian mother who, along with Rosa's older sister, participates wholeheartedly in the strike. ... Once again, Paterson displays her gift for bringing the hard past to life for present-day readers.
The Cay by Theodore Taylor (Yearling, 2002).
Set during World War II in the Dutch West Indies, this is a story about true friendship, survival and overcoming racism. This enduring tale strikes many of the same chords today as it did in 1969, the year it was first published.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (Yearling, 1971).
The Newbery Medal winner for 1961, this book could be seen as a precursor to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (see below). Karana is a 12-year-old Native American who refuses to abandon her 6-year-old brother when her island, Ghalas-at (off the Southern California coast) is evacuated. Shortly thereafter, he tragically dies after being attacked by wild dogs, and Karana begins her solitary wait for a ship to come for her. She waits 18 years. Karana survives by foraging, fishing in the ocean, defending herself from wild dogs and elephant seals, and hiding from the Aleut tribe. Told from her point of view, we share the details of her day-to-day life, watch the days turn into years, and wait for the ship to carry her off her lonely island.
The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E. L. Konigsburg (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
This is brilliant writing for brilliant kids. There are mentions of matters sexual and violent, but they are glancing references, nothing more. There is some mild swearing. Families can talk about the general historical background and Hitler's specific views of art. Why would controlling art have been so important to a dictator like Hitler? Why would others risk their lives for it? What could make a painting so important? Also, the author is sometimes very subtle, and even gifted readers may need some help sorting out the story.
The Mystery of Rascal Pratt by Robbie Scott and Gary Cianciarulo (Perfect Paperback, 2007).
This is great historical fiction for children. The story takes place in 1866 at the tip of the Marin Headlands in Northern California. Shipwrecks, pirate adventure, bigotry, friendships, local flavor — this book has it all to hold the attention of the tween crowd. The protagonists are Emma, Sue and Harris (all 12 years old) and Rascal Pratt, a self-proclaimed pirate who is older than he looks. Achilles, Sue's grandfather, a blind, Native American ranch worker, asks Rascal to find the long-lost treasure of Sir Francis Drake, so that he can buy his freedom from the ranch. The action takes place at a lighthouse and the nearby shoreline and ocean.
Number the Starsby Lois Lowry (Houghton Mifflin Children's Books, 1989).
A brave Danish girl helps smuggle her Jewish friends to safety. Lowry's sense of timing and choice of details put readers in the middle of the story. A riveting read, but your kids may have questions afterward.
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck (Dial Books, 2007).
This book is a funny, poignant book about life on the home front during World War II. There is some violence: a father is knocked out with a wrench, a girl's hand is caught in a rat trap, and an old lady likes to tell tales of gruesome injuries. Families can talk about the differences between life then and now. What aspects of Davy's life sound similar to your own? Which are completely different? Does it sound like it was fun to grow up then? Is it more fun now? What else have you seen and read about World War II?
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (Puffin Books, 2000).
Fourteen-year-old orphan Widge works for a mean and unscrupulous master who goes by the name of Falconer. Ordered to steal the script for Hamlet, Widge is taken to London and forced to attend a performance of the play. Instead of concentrating on stealing the script, he becomes engrossed in the show. Reluctantly, Widge admits his failure to Falconer and is told to return until his mission is accomplished. Nothing goes as planned and a very surprised Widge finds himself an accepted member of the backstage crew. Once a lonely outcast, he has friends and a place to call home for the first time in his life. Will he have the moral integrity to disobey his master or will he betray his new family? Set in Elizabethan London, The Shakespeare Stealer introduces us to Shakespearean stagecraft, life on the streets of London and to the truth behind the youthful appearance of Queen Elizabeth I!
The Slave Dancerby Paula Fox (Penguin Putnam, 2004).
This moderately graphic depiction of the worst of the slave trade, told exclusively from a white boy's point of view, will raise many questions, both historical and moral. Though the reading level is middle to upper elementary, sensitive children may find it very disturbing.
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2007).
This award-winner shows a child's view of the Cold War. This serious book deserves time and close attention. There are many big political and philosophical ideas, and mentions of events that may disturb some children, including a plane hijacking, imprisonments and deaths. Families can talk about and compare what was happening in America during that time.
Humor
The Canning Seasonby Polly Horvath (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003).
Ratchet loves her selfish mother but receives little in return. Without warning or luggage of any sort, Ratchet's mother ships her to Maine to spend the summer with two elderly relatives. Tilly and Penpen are un-identical twins who are tremendously eccentric; they are also kind and generous. A laugh-aloud, farcical story evolves from this unlikely premise.
The Pepins and Their Problems by Polly Horvath, illustrated by Marylin Hafner (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2004).
Whether it's waking up to find toads in their shoes or searching for cheese when their cow makes lemonade, the Pepin family's endless tangles entertain the reader. Lucky for them they have the author, whose insight into their hilarious misfortunes helps guide them in problem solving.
The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade by Kenneth Derby (Holiday House, 2004).
Tony Baloney is obsessed with David Letterman and is determined to be a guest on his show. This fast-paced, action-packed story is sure to keep the reader amused.
What Would Joey Do? by Jack Gantos (HarperTrophy, 2004).
Now that Joey's divorced mom has a new boyfriend, his dad has returned to town to buzz their house on his roaring motorcycle. The fact that his own sick, elderly mother is living with his son and former wife doesn't deter him at all. When Joey's mom sends him to be homeschooled with a bratty blind girl with a religious mother whose motto is "What Would Jesus Do?" Joey adopts this motto - with his own modifications. While the premises of Joey's story - no allies except a small dog and a sick old lady - are harsh, the book is hilarious.
Mysteries
Airbornby Kenneth Oppel (Eos, 2005).
Matt is a cabin boy on board a luxurious airship, the Aurora. Matt meets Kate, who has arranged for a flight on the Aurora so that she can investigate diary entries her grandfather made regarding large, feline creatures with bat-like wings. Soon, the Aurora is attacked by pirates and forced by a storm to land on a tropical island. While exploring the island, Matt and Kate stumble across the bones of one of the "cloud cats" and observe one living in the treetops. But they are captured by the pirates, whose hideout is on the very same island. Will Matt and Kate be able to escape? You won't want to stop turning the pages until you know the answer! Rich with action, the character development does not suffer. Matt and Kate are likable heroes, the pirates vile and even the airship, Aurora, takes on a personality of its own.
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett (Scholastic, 2004).
Mysterious letters, picture puzzles called "pentominoes" and a stolen painting by the Dutch artist Vermeer unite unlikely friends, Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay, in an effort to solve a mystery.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Simon & Schuster, 1967).
Twelve-year-old Claudia and her younger brother Jamie are running away from the tyranny of unappreciative parents and the drudgery of day-to-day living. Claudia has carefully hand-picked the beautiful Metropolitan Museum of Art as their new home. There they quite unexpectedly stumble upon an unknown statue by none other than Michelangelo...or is it?
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman (Simon & Schuster, 2006).
Young readers will recognize their classmates and maybe themselves in the key witnesses who describe the events (interrogation-style) leading up to the discovery, use and destruction of a computer that was supposed to make kids' lives easier. It didn't.
The Lady Grace Mysteries(series) by various authors writing as Lady Grace Cavendish (Random House, 2004-2006).
Lady Grace Cavendish is the Nancy Drew of the Elizabethan Age, an independent-minded teenager whose godmother just happens to be Elizabeth I. Court intrigues and rivalries, swashbucklers, unlikely friends and a mystery in each book make these very lively historical novels.
Spy Force Mission: In Search of the Time and Space Machine by Deborah Abela, illustrated by George O'Connor (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2005).
An 11-year-old girl discovers boredom is the least of her problems during the summer she spends at her aunt's farm. Her secret-agent stories take on a new reality when she happens upon a real spy ring. This story is the ultimate thriller for our age.
Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye (Penguin, 2004).
Hermux is a watchmaker who also happens to be a mouse. He is mostly content with his life of order and quiet nights curled up with some cheese and a good book, but that all changes when one Linka Perflinger, aviatrix and daredevil, enters and mysteriously exits the picture.
Realism
Alabama Moonby Watt Key (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2006).
In the piney woods of south Alabama, 10-year-old Moon Blake has been raised by his survivalist father, a paranoid Viet Nam veteran. When his father dies, Moon buries him beside his mother, who had softened their harsh existence while she lived. Not long before he died, Moon's father told him to write him letters after his death - and if Moon burned the letters, the messages would reach him. Pap called these "smoke letters." ... With a wonderful villain and touches of distinctive humor, the author takes his wiry, tough, goodhearted hero through a residence in a boys' "home," a true friendship, assorted escapes and into a happy ending. ... This debut novel is absolutely first-rate.
Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic, 2005).
Naomi Leon Outlaw is many things: a great sister, a kind granddaughter and an excellent soap carver, but she is having a harder time just being Naomi. Her journey to find her own true voice and reconnect with her father takes her from a trailer park in Lemon Tree, California, to a radish-carving festival in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan (Harper Trophy, 2001).
Set in India, this is a lyrical and compassionate portrait of a survivor. Thirteen-year-old Koly is getting married to someone she has never met. When her new husband turns out to be gravely ill, things take a turn for the worse. Koly finds herself widowed, hopeless and on the streets.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Little, Brown, 1990).
A homeless orphan becomes a legend in a town divided by racism in this sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always exciting story. Jeffrey Magee's exploits may have made him famous, but reconciling a town filled with hate and finding a decent life for himself may be more than even he can manage.
No Talkingby Andrew Clements, illustrated by Mark Elliott (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
This is an ear-to-ear-grinningly delightful school story. Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about here and lots to cheer. It's a story that even reluctant readers can love, about good-hearted children and adults who grow in compassion and understanding. Families can talk about silence and civil disobedience. Why does the silence seem so powerful? How does it change everyone's perceptions? What do you think of the standoff between Dave and the principal?
Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter (Simon and Schuster, 2002, first published in 1913).
A tonic in cynical times, this book offers a philosophy of life that can have a big impact on younger children. Playing the Glad Game is worth a try for any family. Like other books of its time, Pollyanna contains a few comments that are considered racist by modern standards: a maid is referred to as "Black Tilly," and there are several comments to the effect that little boys from India are "heathens" who "don't know any more than to think that God was in that [idol]."
The Emerald Wand of Oz by Sherwood Smith, illustrated by William Stout (HarperCollins Children's Books, 2005).
This book transports the reader back to the enchanted land of Oz, but it is a much different Oz than the one to which Dorothy traveled. Two girls named Dori and Em will try to save Oz from yet another wicked witch.
The Five Ancestors: Snake by Jeff Stone (Random House, 2006).
Follow the adventures of 12-year-old Seh (snake), Fu (tiger) and Malao (monkey) in 17th-century China. With the many twists and turns in the plot, you never know who is friend or foe. Even family members are not always who they seem to be.
Haroun and the Sea of Storiesby Salman Rushdie (Penguin, 1999).
Rushdie's only children's book begins somewhere in Western Asia. Drawing upon the folklore of India and Muslim cultures, the story takes its father and son heroes on a quest from our contemporary world into a magnificently conceived "other" world. In the real world, Rashid Khalifa, the father, has lost his remarkable ability to tell stories, earning the moniker the Shah of Blah. Simultaneously, in the fantasy world, stories are disappearing from the Sea of Stories. Haroun, Rashid's son, searches for the mysterious cause of his father's loss and remedy to restore his talent. He encounters situations and characters of great originality, humor and imagination in a fast-moving tale full of word play and clever dialogue.
Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure by Georgia Byng, illustrated by Mark Zug (HarperCollins, 2005).
Molly's time travels take her to India in the late 1800s. The high-speed novel fascinates readers as the nasty maharaja of Waqt sets about kidnapping Molly at ages 10, 6 and 3, and as a baby.
Ranger's Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlanby John Flanagan (Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2005).
Will wants to attend Battleschool to serve the kingdom. His small size leads him to be assigned as a Ranger's apprentice. His bravery and skills eventually fulfill his dream of protecting the kingdom.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Yearling, 1973).
A children's classic from the 1960s, A Wrinkle in Time still captures audiences today. Lovers of fantasy, science fiction and time travel will devour this book. And they will certainly want to read the other books in the series. Join the Wallace children in this magical adventure to planet Uriel. Many complex themes, such as good versus evil, family relationships, and love and courage, offer a great springboard for important character education discussions.
Seasonal Stories
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge (TorBooks, 1993).
In this enduring winter classic, Hans and his sister Gretel must find a way to help their desperately poor family survive. Their chance to win the coveted silver skates in a race on the village's frozen canals could save them all. Continuously in print since 1865, this is a timeless classic of love and loyalty to share with a new generation.
Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apesby Pamela S. Turner (Houghton Mifflin, 2005).
The veterinarians of Rwanda's Mountain Gorilla Project make house calls — or rather, "forest calls" — tracking down and treating ailing gorillas in the wild. Short chapters present dramatic accounts of real incidents, such as an expedition to untangle a gorilla from an antelope snare or the rescue of an orphaned baby gorilla. Factual information about these endangered animals is included, as well as full-color photos of the gorillas and the doctors. This book will appeal to animal lovers and to kids thinking of careers as veterinarians or naturalists.
Biographies
Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion by Russell Freedman (Clarion Books, 1999).
This is an uplifting sports bio for tweens and up. Parents need to know that Babe struggles with prejudice against women. Written with verve that matches Babe's personality, this true story will encourage young readers, especially those interested in sports. Families who read this book could discuss how Babe's discipline helped her win at a time when women were not accepted in sports.
Fun Books About Math
The Grapes of Mathby Gregory Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs (Scholastic, 2004).
Parents and teachers alike, if you want a fun and innovative way to motivate your math students, this book is for you! Tang cleverly teaches problem solving through the use of mind-stretching riddles. Don't expect the ordinary with this book. Children are taught to look for patterns and solve problems in unexpected ways. In fact, your child will be so engrossed that he won't even realize the educational value of this book.
Recipe Books
Roald Dahl's Even More Revolting Recipesby Felicity Dahl and Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake and Jan Baldwin (Puffin, 2003).
If the Addams Family had a favorite cookbook, this would be it. Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake have teamed up again to create the companion volume to his first culinary compendium, Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes. Aficionados will recognize some of the dishes from Mr. Dahl's other works, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. While some of the recipes may sound fairly disgusting, none of them really is. The titles alone are enough to fill young and mischievous cooks with glee as they look forward to presenting company with a plate of Soil with Engine Oil or some Boiled Slobbages. Parents, please note: While the dishes are calculated to appeal to younger appetites, the directions may get a bit overwhelming for junior chefs. Adult supervision is the rule rather than the exception here, so get a firm grip on your sense of humor and wade on in. Who knew lizard's tails could be so tasty.
Hurricane Force: In the Path of America's Deadliest Storms by Joseph B. Treaster (Kingfisher, 2007).
The author of this book, longtime New York Times reporter Joseph Treaster, was in the New Orleans city hall when Hurricane Katrina hit the city in 2005. He draws on his experiences covering Katrina and its aftermath to provide younger readers with a first-hand look at the deadly storms we call hurricanes. Along with his eyewitness accounts, there is information about what scientists currently know about how and why hurricanes form, how they are tracked, and how they impact coastal areas. Precautions and planning for future storms are also discussed. Dramatic color photos enhance the solid information presented in this book.
Sports
How Basketball Worksby Keltie Thomas, illustrated by Greg Hall (Maple Tree Press, 2005).
Young readers who enjoy basketball will love this book. Beyond the usual retelling of the history of the game (the physical education teacher who nailed the peach baskets to the gymnasium balcony to give athletes something to do in the winter), this book provides information about the rules of the game, how to become a better player, anecdotes about legendary players, how equipment has evolved over time and tips on game strategy. Conversational text is interspersed with lively illustrations, diagrams and photographs. Even reluctant readers might actually take a break from shooting hoops to read this one.
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