The books on this list are available in the RVMS library; in your local public library; from any bookstore or online bookseller; or on the Sora app, as e-books or audiobooks. Go to Soraapp.com/library/ulsterbocesny and log in with your Rondout Google login (first initial+last name@rondout.k12.ny.us and whatever password you use for Google Classroom). Students can use Sora on any device all summer long!
FICTION Reading Ideas from Mrs. Tourtelot
96 Miles by J.L. Espin (adventure fiction)
Gr 4-8. During a massive blackout in rural Nevada, two brothers struggle to survive without their preparation-obsessed dad and without enough water to cross the desert for help. In the opening sequence, readers meet the brothers as they collect toilet water to drink, as they were recently robbed of their father’s entire survival stash. They encounter a sister-brother duo, Cleverly and Will, and even though they barely have enough food and water for themselves, the brothers decide to share. Will they make it across 96 miles of desert? Perfect for fans of Hatchet.
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The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm (science fiction)
Gr 4-8. Bell has spent his whole life–all eleven years of it–on Mars. But he's still just a regular kid–he loves cats, cake, and is curious about the secrets the adults in the US colony are keeping. Like, why don't they have contact with anyone on the other Mars colonies? Why are they so isolated? When a virus breaks out and the grown-ups all fall ill, Bell and the other children are the only ones who can help. It's up to Bell to uncover the truth and save his family–and possibly unite an entire planet.
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (realistic graphic novel)
Gr 4-8. A graphic novel adaptation of the chapter book of the same name. Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot and killed by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real one. After he dies, the only person who can see Jerome’s ghost is Sarah, the daughter of the police officer who shot him. Then Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett Till helps Jerome process what has happened, and also helps him understand the history of what it means to be Black in this country.
Dust by Dusti Bowling (realistic fiction)
Gr 4-8. After Avalyn nearly died from an asthma attack, her parents moved her to the clear, dry air of Clear Canyon City, Arizona. And for the last ten years, she's been able to breathe. That is, until Adam shows up. Quiet and disheveled, Adam is an instant target for the bullies. As Avalyn gets to know him, she begins to suspect that the sudden, strange increase in dust storms around town is connected to his emotions. She thinks his problems may be even worse at home. Will she find a way to stand up for her new friend? Her life may just depend on it.
The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell (fantasy)
Gr 4-8. The sequel to Impossible Creatures (read that book first!): Christopher woke to find a dragon chewing on his face–and his heart leapt for joy! He'd been dreaming of going back to the Archipelago, the secret cluster of islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But there is a poison spreading in the Archipelago. Rooting it out will involve a daring rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, a stealthy entrance to a dragon's lair, and a death-defying plan to save a prisoner held in the heart of a castle.
Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson (mystery)
Gr 4-8. Brooklyn girl Kaylani feels like a fish out of water. She's spending the summer with family friends in their huge house on Martha's Vineyard, and the vibe is definitely snooty. Still, there are beaches, lots of ice cream, and a town full of fascinating Black history. Plus a few kids her age who seem friendly. Until the shocking death of a popular teenage boy. Was it a drowning? A shark attack? Or murder?! Kaylani is determined to solve the mystery. But her investigation leads her to uncover shocking secrets that could change her own life as she knows it... if she survives.
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The Town with No Mirrors by Christina Collins (science fiction)
Gr 4-8. Zailey has never seen her own face. She's never seen her reflection, or a photo of herself, or even a drawing. In the community of Gladder Hill, cameras and mirrors are forbidden. You're not supposed to talk or even think about what other people look like, or what you look like. But Zailey does. When she suddenly finds herself beyond the gates of her town, she has a chance to see if what she's been taught about the outside world is true. But is she prepared for the truth?
The Academy by T.Z. Layton (sports fiction)
Gr 4-8. Leo, age 12, is a star soccer player with big dreams. While he longs to make the pros one day, he has no idea how to achieve this―until a professional scout invites him to try out for the London Dragons youth squad, known as the Academy. Leo is stunned. This isn't just any old soccer team. It's a world-famous English Premier League team. Soon Leo is embarking on the greatest adventure of his life. The downside? Only eleven players can make the team. This is book 1 in a series; perfect for FIFA fans with World Cup fever this summer!
The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller (realistic fiction)
Gr 5-8. At the beginning of seventh grade, Luna knows who she is: an observant, quiet girl who loves writing and making zines with her best friend, Scott. But when one of their zines takes off, Luna is swept up into the popular group and learns just how much of herself she's going to have to compromise to stay there. Will she give up her writing? Her best friend? What about her own beliefs about who she is and what she stands for? Perfect for fans of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose (adventure verse novel)
Gr 5-8. Twelve-year-old Opal has a secret: She's deathly afraid of fire. She, Mom, and Gran live at ten thousand feet in a single room at the top of a fire tower. They are responsible for spotting any hint of smoke before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. When Mom makes the long trek to town for supplies and Gran goes missing, Opal is the only one to spot a tell-tale spiral of smoke moving up the mountainside. But when a fire is what took her father away, and Opal herself knows the sting of smoke and lick of flames, how can she be brave enough when it really counts?
Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate (fantasy)
Gr 4-8. Born during WWI, Pocket Bear was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier's jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, more than 100 years later, Pocket Bear is the unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are given a fresh start.
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The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (fantasy)
Gr 4-8. Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare's quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Despite Clare's efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to leave Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance between the living and the dead.
A Kid Like Me by Norm Feuti (realistic graphic novel)
Gr 4-8. Ethan just wants to fit in. But fitting in is tough when your classmates make fun of your ancient cell phone, busted backpack, and discount clothing. To make matters worse, his best friend, Ricky, insists on hanging out with a group of guys who just don't get him. They're more interested in playing pranks than playing his favorite card game Bio Battle. Can Ethan figure out where he belongs without forgetting who he is and who he wants to be?
Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen (adventure)
Gr 4-8. Hatchet meets Survivor in this high-action, hilarious middle grade adventure about two kids stranded in the wilderness, whose annoyance with each other rivals the roaring rapids and ferocious predators they must face. 12-year-old Sadie Hahn didn’t plan to eat grubs on camera to win a contest. And she definitely didn’t plan to win first prize—a guest appearance on a YouTube show hosted by America’s favorite 13-year-old survivalist Radley Shaw. Disaster strikes when their scripted rafting trip turns into a real fight for survival.
The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker (historical fiction)
Gr 5-8. Orphan Lucas is tired of his cowardly reputation, just as he's tired of the war and the Nazi occupation of his French village. He longs to show how brave he can be. He gets the chance when he saves a litter of kittens from cruel boys and brings them to an abandoned stable to care for them. There he comes upon a stranger who is none too happy to see him: Alice, the daughter of a horse trainer, who is hiding her filly from German soldiers.
Blurmp by Jim Benton (graphic novel)
Gr 4-8. A companion to the Catwad series. Peanut butter & jelly, macaroni & cheese, socks & underwear… Good things come in pairs, and Catwad and Blurmp are no different. This time, it's Blurmp's turn to shine! Join Blurmp as he travels through space and time, "helping" with the creation of the pizza in 18th century Italy, making friends with zombies, even venturing to a world full of other Blurmps, and much more. Full of laughs, the return of Blurmp (and Catwad) is not to be missed!
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The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly (horror)
Gr 4-8. Lila’s summer plans did not include traveling to Ohio with her parents to sort out her recently deceased Grandpa Clem’s estate. Nor did they feature a sudden ability to see ghosts, but such is life. Lila’s penchant for being overdramatic has put her friendship with her besties on the rocks, but her new commitment to playing things cool is put to the test when she encounters the forlorn ghost of her grandfather at the old inn he owned—and he reveals that he was murdered.
Snoop by Gordon Korman (humor)
Gr 4-8. If Carter hadn't been checking his phone, he might have seen his brother coming down the ski slopes in his direction. And if Carter had seen his brother in time and avoided the crash, he might not have two broken legs right now. Oops. Now Carter is stuck at home for weeks, with both his legs in casts. Bored, he starts checking out the live feeds from police cams around his town. Before he knows it, he's obsessed–watching his classmates when they don't know he's looking, and discovering some other VERY STRANGE things going on that no one else is noticing.
Dream On by Shannon Hale (graphic novel)
Gr 4-8. Something is missing from Cassie's life. Her parents don't have much money, she has to share her bedroom (and bed!) with her sisters, and her family never seem to have time for her. To make matters worse, her best friend Vali is always busy with a new friend. When Cassie gets a letter from a magazine sweepstakes with the words "YOU'RE THE WINNER" stamped on the front, she thinks it's the answer to all her problems. But will prizes really solve Cassie's problems? And what will she lose if she doesn't win anything at all?
Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar (realistic verse novel)
Gr 5-8. For Elio Solis, eighth grade fizzes with change. His feelings that flow like lava. His relationship with Pops, who's always telling him to man up, the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend. But then, betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge. Suddenly he wants to fight to prove his manhood and defend Camelia's honor. He doesn't anticipate the dire consequences–or that Camelia's not looking for a savior.
non-FICTION Reading Ideas from Mrs. Tourtelot
The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World by Jonathan Haidt
Gr 4-8. A kids’ version of The Anxious Generation, the book that sparked a global conversation. This book will help kids stand up for themselves by choosing a life not dominated by screens and social media. It’s packed with surprising facts, interactive challenges, secrets that tech leaders don’t want kids to know, and real-life anecdotes from young adults who regret getting smartphones at a young age and want to help the next generation avoid making the same mistakes.
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Messi: From the Playground to the Pitch by Matt Oldfield
Gr 4-8. Lionel Messi is a legend—Barcelona’s star player and the world’s best soccer player. But when was young, he was so small that his friends would call him "Little Leo,” and coaches worried he wasn’t big enough to play. Yet through bravery, talent and hard work, he proved them all wrong. This book is part of a huge series of biographies of famous soccer players when they were kids. Perfect for FIFA fans with World Cup fever this summer!
A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day
Gr 5-8. Hundreds of years ago, on a quiet Indonesian island, a volcano called Tambora erupted with a force and violence that changed history. In the years that followed, its fallout tore apart the world. The sun refused to shine; the rain refused to stop. From this riot of thunder and lightning, a young woman named Mary Shelley wrote a nightmare of a book: Frankenstein–a terrifying reminder of how much damage we humans might do, without even realizing it.
Can You Survive a Revolutionary War Escape? An Interactive History Adventure by Blake Hoena
Gr 4-8. The American colonies are gripped by the Revolutionary War, and you’ve been cornered by the British. From the battlefield to prison ships, you'll do anything to stay free. Will you help the Continental Army escape from Long Island? Or will you brave icy waters to swim from a floating prison? Every decision is the difference between life and death. Which path will YOU CHOOSE to make it out alive?
Guts & Glory: World War II by Ben Thompson
Gr 4-8. Discover legendary commanders, tremendous fights, elite soldiers, and courageous individuals whose deeds made the difference in this jaw-dropping guide to the biggest war the world has ever seen. From massive aerial battles that clouded the skies with planes to deathly secret operations deep behind enemy lines, the events of World War II will come to life. Look for more Guts & Glory books about the Civil War, World War I, the American Revolution, and more.
An Immense World (Young Readers Edition): How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets by Ed Yong
Gr 4-8. Did you know that there are turtles who can track the Earth's magnetic fields? That some fish use electricity to talk to each other? Or that giant squids evolved their enormous eyeballs to look out for whales? The world is so much BIGGER than we humans experience it. We can only see so many colors, we can only feel so many sensations, and there are some senses we can't access at all. Exploring the amazing ways animals sense the world is an excellent way to help understand the world itself.
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History Smashers: Ancient Egypt by Kate Messner
Gr 4-8. Myths! Lies! Secret mummy curses? Grab your head lamp, we’re headed to Ancient Egypt to dig up the truth about this early civilization. In 1922, explorers opened King Tut's tomb and a nasty hex was placed on everyone. RIGHT? Not so much. Okay, but aliens did soar in on a space craft and build the Pyramids, right? WRONG! The discovery of King Tut's tomb taught historians a lot about ancient Egyptian culture. But no one incurred the wrath of a mummy. Part of a series.
A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight Over Science in Schools by Debbie Levy
Gr 5-8. In 1925, when Tennessee banned the teaching of evolution, teacher John Scopes challenged the law. Two masterminds faced off in a courtroom debate over creationism vs. natural selection, each armed with the books they believed belonged in classrooms. Politician William Jennings Bryan relied on the Bible to make his case, while lawyer Clarence Darrow used Charles Darwin's books. A century later, here is the truth of what happened and why it matters.
Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Eiren-Young
Gr 4-8. With their blue blood, big brains, and eight arms, octopuses are very different from any other being. Octopuses are masters of camouflage and known for their incredible escapes from tight spots. New research shows that they are highly intelligent creatures, and while they prefer to be alone, they will interact with humans and display unique personality traits. Discover the mysteries and histories of octopuses big and small.
The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved the Mystery of Dinosaur Extinction by Cindy Enson-Elliott
Gr 4-8. For 66 million years, the mystery of what happened to the dinosaurs lay hidden under layers of sand and silt, until scientists began to piece together the puzzle of what happened on the last day of the ancient world. Follow the real-life adventures of father-son scientists Luis and Walter Alvarez as they unlock the world's most intriguing mystery. Learn how the smallest particles in the universe helped explain what happened to the largest animals that ever walked the planet.