Elementary Summer Book Clubs 2023

Please note that titles, authors, and book club dates are indicated below by each facilitator's name.  For a book club to run, there must be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 students. A book club will not run if there is insufficient enrollment.   Please note, if a book club reaches capacity, you will not be able to select it on the Google registration form. 

At the bottom of this page, there is a Google Form to submit indicating book club choice.

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  Monday and Thursdays (July 3, 6, 10, 13, 24, 27, 31, Aug 3) 9:00-9:30 

**RESOURCES:  The book can be obtained electronically, bought or through the MTPL for a copy.

 GRADE LEVELS:  Grades: 5-7

Book Summary: The Unteachables follows a special class of “troubled” kids and their teacher at Greenwich Middle School as they learn what it means to be different, reform, and resolve a 27-year-old scandal. Determined to keep their teacher, the kids enter the science fair and with the influence of their teacher, begin to change. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Tues & Thurs July 11, July 13, July 18, July 20 ( 10:45-11:45 a.m.) 

GRADE LEVELS:  Grades:  4 - 5

***RESOURCES:  The student must obtain a copy of the book. (Booksfree.org, and the MTPL.)

Book Summary: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a funny story about Peter Hatcher and his brother.  Peter Hatcher is a nine-year-old 4th grader living in New York City with his family: his mother, his father, and his almost three-year-old brother, Fudge. Peter calls Fudge his biggest problem because Fudge is constantly causing trouble, misbehaving, and making Peter's life difficult. Each chapter of this book tells the story of one of Fudge's antics. 

 DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Monday & Wednesday, July 3, July 10, July 24, and July 31 @ 11 am- 11:30 am. I am away July 17 

GRADE LEVELS:  Grades: 3-4

***RESOURCES: ***Students can obtain a copy through the MTPL or purchasing. In addition, students can access a copy through Amazon-Kindle Unlimited for 1- month  free trial

Book Summary: John Midas is delighted when, through a magical gift, everything his lips touch turns into chocolate. Chocolate is his favorite thing in the world, but he finds out there might be such a thing as too much chocolate. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: July 3, 5, 10,12,17,19,24, 26 @ 12 pm-12:30 pm 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades 5-6

***RESOURCES:   Students can obtain a free hard copy through the MTPL or purchasing. 

Book Summary:

 Mia Tang has a lot of secrets: Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams? 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  Mondays & Wednesdays- July 10, July 12, July 17, July 19, July 24, July 26, July 31, August 2 @ 1:00 - 1:30

GRADE LEVELS:  Grades: 4-6

***RESOURCES:  Students can obtain a free Read aloud version on YouTube. Free PDF at https://d-pdf.com/book/3775/read and/or a hard copy through the MTPL or purchasing. 

Book Summary: "Fish in a Tree" is a story about a girl named Ally who has struggled with self-confidence, especially in school, because she has dyslexia. She is afraid to speak up and advocate for herself until she has Mr. Daniels as a teacher, who sees Ally as a creative and bright student. This is a story about perseverance and the kindness and help of a teacher.

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Monday and Thursday, July 3, July 6, July 10, July 13, July 17, July 20 July 24, July 27, July 31, I do like to offer flexibility if needed in the group. :)  10:30 am-11:30 am

GRADE LEVELS:  3-4

***RESOURCES:  The book can be borrowed from the MTPS library and the facilitator will be providing a PDF.

Book Summary: Sunny and Rosy's human is going on vacation, and it's NO DOGS ALLOWED. But they don't mind -- they're headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for unlimited snuggles and as many pug snacks as they can eat.

But when a mystery animal destroys Grandma's garden, the pugs get blamed. It's all paws on deck to clear their names. If they don't, their pugtastic vacay will be ruined!

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  Tuesdays and Thursdays in July (Time TBD but most likely 4:00 pm) 

***RESOURCES:  The book can be obtained from the Middletown Public Library (MTPL) or purchased

Book Summary:  "The Unteachables" are a group of misfits that the school isolated in a class of their own. New student Kiana accidentally becomes the newest member of the class and stays — joining a cast of characters already in the class.  Their teacher, Mr. Zachary Kermit, started off as an enthusiastic schoolteacher, but only a year away from retirement, he’s now exactly the opposite. He’s coasting along, barely investing in his students and waiting for retirement. Until the school assigns him to teach Room 117 — The Unteachables. The kids nickname him Ribbit and as the school year progresses, both the kids and Mr. Kermit learn a lot from each other — and maybe the kids aren’t quite "unteachable?" This book provides lots of humor and great life lessons, too! 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  Monday and Wednesday, July 10, July 12, July 17, July 19, July 24, July 26 @ 11 AM - 12 PM 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades: 3-4

***RESOURCES: The book can also be ordered on Amazon, purchased through a bookstore like Barnes & Noble, or borrowed from the MTPS library.

Book Summary:  Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? Reader, it is your turn to find out. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Tuesday & Thursdays, July 11, July 13 11:00 - 11:45, July 18, July 20 11:00 - 11:45, July 25, July 27 11:00 - 11:30 

GRADE LEVELS: Grade 3

***RESOURCES:  The book can also be ordered on Amazon, purchased through a bookstore like Barnes & Noble, or borrowed from the MTPS library.

Book Summary: The fifth graders do not get along mostly because they are disruptive and too loud. It's boys versus girls when competitive fifth graders see who can go longer without talking. It's a funny and surprising book is about language and thought, about words unspoken, words spoken in anger, and especially about the power of words spoken in kindness. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Monday, July 10: 4:30 to 5:15 PM, Wednesday, July 12: 4:30 to 5:15 PM, Monday, July 17: 4:30 to 5:15 PM, Wednesday, July 19: 4:30 to 5:15 PM, Monday, July 24: 4:30 to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, July 26: 4:30 to 5:00 PM 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades 3-4

***RESOURCES:  The book can also be ordered on Amazon, purchased through a bookstore like Barnes & Noble, or borrowed from the MTPS library.

Book Summary: This first book in the National Parks Mystery Series takes readers on a fast-paced adventure set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Before Jake's grandfather died, he was on the trail of a centuries-old mystery. And he has entrusted that mystery to Jake, leaving behind a set of hidden codes, riddles, coordinates, and other clues that lead Jake and his friends on a scavenger hunt through ten of America's most treasured national parks. In this page-turning adventure, readers will learn about natural history, wildlife, ecology and conservation, integrity, character, and friendship. Best for incoming third and fourth graders. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Monday & Wednesday, July 3 & 5, July 10 & 12, July 17 & 19, July 24 & 26 @ 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm. 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades 4 - 5

***RESOURCES: The student must obtain a copy of the book from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or any bookstore. Remember to check the MTPL for a copy.

Book Summary: Bob sets out on a dangerous journey in search of his long-lost sister with the help of his two best friends, Ivan and Ruby. As a hurricane approaches and time is running out, Bob finds courage he never knew he had and learns the true meaning of friendship and family. Bob, Ivan, and Ruby have touched the hearts of millions of readers, and their story isn’t over yet. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  July 3, 5, 6, 7 from 9:30-10:30 am. 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades: 4-5

***RESOURCES:  Students can obtain a copy from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, or any bookstore in addition to a borrowed copy through the MTPL. 

Book Summary: Can a robot survive in the wilderness? When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her. From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  Starting July 10th - Monday & Wednesday 10:00 am - 10:30 am. July 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th, 31st, August 2nd 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades 3 

***RESOURCES:  Students can obtain a digital copy or visit the MTPL for a copy or purchase a copy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. 

Book Summary: Stuart Little is a mouse born to human parents in New York City. Stuart's family helps him adapt to his diminutive size in a house made for human-sized inhabitants. Stuart rises before the rest of the family and confronts the issue of washing himself. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: The book club will run every Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 am.-11:00 am. on July 10, 12, 17, 19, and the 24th 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades: Incoming 4th

***RESOURCES:  Students can obtain a copy from this PDF link, the MTPL, or purchase a copy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.

Book Summary: In this imaginative adventure from Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary, a young mouse named Ralph is thrown into a world of excitement when a boy and his shiny toy motorcycle check in to the Mountain View Inn.

When the ever-curious Ralph spots Keith's red toy motorcycle, he vows to ride it. So when Keith leaves the bike unattended in his room one day, Ralph makes his move. But with all this freedom (and speed!) come a lot of obstacles. Whether dodging a rowdy terrier or keeping his nosy cousins away from his new wheels, Ralph has a lot going on! And with a pal like Keith always looking out for him, there's nothing this little mouse can't handle.

This timeless classic now features a foreword written by New York Times bestselling author Kate DiCamillo, as well as an exclusive interview with Beverly Cleary herself. 

The Mouse and the Motorcycle is perfect for independent reading or for shared reading at home or in a classroom. This fun story is the first of a trilogy, along with Runaway Ralph and Ralph S. Mouse, all inspired by the author's hope to create appealing books for boys and girls—and by the sight of her son playing with toy cars. 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB:  Mondays & Thursdays (July 3,6,10,13,17,20,31, Aug 3) 9:00-9:30 am. 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades: 4-5

***RESOURCES:  Students can obtain a copy from this PDF link, the MTPL, or purchase a copy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.

Book Summary: "The book "Fish in a Tree" is about a girl named Ally Nickerson who has dyslexia and faces the struggles of not being able to read and everyday struggles any student can relate to. Ally experiences the school hardships of being alone, bullying, and not wanting to work." 

DATES OF BOOK CLUB: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday July 24, July 26, July 28, July 31, August 2, August 4 from 10:30-11AM 

GRADE LEVELS: Grades: 4-5

***RESOURCES:  Students can obtain a copy from this PDF link, the MTPL, or purchase a copy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.

Book Summary: "The book "Fish in a Tree" is about a girl named Ally Nickerson who has dyslexia and faces the struggles of not being able to read and everyday struggles any student can relate to. Ally experiences the school hardships of being alone, bullying, and not wanting to work."