4th-6th grade SUMMER Reading Ideas from Mrs. Tourtelot
What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado (realistic fiction)
"STAY IN YOUR LANE." Stephen doesn't want to hear that – he wants to have no lane. Anything his friends can do, Stephen should be able to do too, right? So when they dare each other to sneak into an abandoned building, he doesn't think it's his lane, but he goes. Here's the thing, though: Can he do everything his friends can? Lately, he's not so sure. As a mixed kid, he feels like he's living in two worlds with different rules. So, what'll he do? (Written by one of the authors who visited our school this year!) Click here to watch a book trailer for What Lane?
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The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo (fantasy)
In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all. (This is the new book from the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, Flora & Ulysses, and Mercy Watson.) Click here to watch a book trailer for The Beatryce Prophecy.
Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac (realistic fiction/novel-in-verse)
Twelve-year-old Malian’s winter stay with her grandparents on the reservation is extended when everything is locked down because of Covid. While she is quarantining on the reservation, a big dog shows up at their house to protect them. Although she misses her parents, and finds online classes hard due to the poor internet connection on the reservation, Malian learns all about her Native American ancestors and how they always survive together. Click here to listen to the first chapters of Rez Dogs.
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park (historical fiction)
In Dakota Territory in the 1880s, half-Chinese Hanna and her white father face racism and resistance to change as they try to make a new home for themselves. Hanna is determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father's shop, and making at least one friend. The story is set in a fictional settler town inspired by Little House on the Prairie – a place unwelcoming and even dangerous for a half-Asian girl back then. Click here to watch a book trailer for Prairie Lotus.
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga (science fiction)
Built to explore Mars, a robot named Resilience begins to develop human-like feelings as he learns from the NASA scientists who built him. As he blasts off and explores Mars, Resilience must overcome different obstacles as he explores the red planet. If you liked Wild Robot, you’ll love A Rover’s Story! Click here to watch a book trailer for A Mar's Rover.
School Trip by Jerry Craft (graphic novel)
Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can't wait to see all the amazing art. But when their chaperones are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected – and hilarious – turn. (This is the third book in the bestselling, award-winning New Kid series, by one of the authors who visited our school this year!) Click here to watch a book trailer for School Trip.
Big Tree by Brian Selznick (fantasy)
Sycamore seed siblings Merwin and Louise must use their wits and imaginations to navigate a mysterious and often dangerous world, filled with talking plants, monsters, meteors, and the fear of never finding the right conditions to set down roots and become big trees. The fate of all life on Earth may depend on the bravery of these two little seeds. (This is the newest book from the bestselling author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret.) Click here to watch a book trailer for Big Tree.
Odder by Katherine Applegate (adventure/novel-in-verse)
Odder the sea otter spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and telling quirky stories. She's a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself – and about the humans who hope to save her. (Inspired by a true story, this book is by the author of The One and Only Ivan.) Click here to watch a book trailer for Odder.
Frizzy by Claribel Ortega (graphic novel)
Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tia Ruby, and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she has “presentable,” "good hair". But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. Click here to watch a book trailer for Frizzy.
Iceberg by Jennifer Nielsen (historical fiction)
Twelve-year-old Hazel Rothbury stows away aboard the Titanic and, with the help of a porter named Charlie and a first-class passenger named Sylvia, she sets out to explore the great ship, uncovering a haunting mystery – until the ship hits an iceberg and she must fight to save herself and her friends. Click here to watch a book trailer for Iceberg.
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson (historical fiction)
Twelve-year-old Homer escapes Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, leaving his beloved mother behind. Much as he fears for her life, Homer knows there’s no turning back, not with the slave-catcher on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the recesses of the swamp. (Based loosely on a true story.) Click here to watch a book trailer for Freewater.
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The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat (graphic novel)
When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and her best friend, Megan, literally jump at the chance to join the squad. As two of the only kids of color in the school, they have always yearned to fit in – and cheerleaders are popular and accepted by everyone. But will the girls survive the terrifying tryouts, with their whole grade watching? And will their friendship withstand the pressures of competition? Click here to watch a book trailer for The Tryout.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman (fantasy)
Skandar yearns to escape to the secretive Island, where wild unicorns roam free. He's spent years studying for the annual test that selects a handful of 13-year-olds to train to become unicorn riders. But on the day of his exam, things go horribly wrong, and his hopes are shattered… until a mysterious figure knocks on his door at midnight, bearing a message: the Island is in peril and Skandar must answer its call. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and the Wings of Fire series. Click here to watch a trailer for Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.
Key Player by Kelly Yang (realistic fiction)
The fourth book in the popular Front Desk series. The Women's World Cup is coming to California, and everyone is soccer-crazy -- especially Mia Tang! The U.S. is playing China in the finals, and Mia feels like her two identities are finally coming together. Less exciting, though? The fact that her gym teacher wants Mia to get out of the soccer field, too – or fall short of the grade she needs to earn a spot at journalism camp. Click here to watch a book trailer for Front Desk, the first book in the series.
Two Degrees by Alan Gratz (adventure)
Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters. Four kids fighting for their lives. Akira is riding her horse in the California woods when a wildfire sparks – and grows scarily fast. Owen and his best friend, George, are used to seeing polar bears on the snowy Canadian tundra. But when one bear gets way too close for comfort, do the boys have any chance of surviving? Natalie hunkers down at home as a massive hurricane barrels toward Miami. Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie are connected in ways that will shock them – and could alter their destinies forever. Click here to watch a book trailer for Two Degrees.
non-fiction Reading Ideas from Mrs. Tourtelot
Unstoppable Us: How Humans Took Over the World by Yuval Harari
What superpower do humans have that allows us to rule planet Earth? The answer isn't obvious. Maybe you expect something like reading minds, seeing the future, or becoming invisible. But you know humans can't read minds, see the future, or become invisible. So it can't be any of those. Our superpower must be something we all have, right? Actually, our superpower is something we use all the time.... (Based on the author’s bestselling book for grownups called Sapiens.)
The Story of the Saxophone by Lesa Cline-Ransome & James Ransome
You may think that the story of the saxophone begins with Dexter Gordon or Charlie Parker, or on a street corner in New Orleans. It really began in 1840 in Belgium with a young daydreamer named Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax – a boy with bad luck but great ideas. This book tells the story of how Adolphe's once hated instrument was transported across Europe and Mexico to New Orleans. (This is the newest picture book from the author and illustrator who visited our school this year!)
The Universe In You: A Microscopic Journey by Jason Chin
A book exploring the world of the very small, delving deep into the microscopic spaces just beneath our skin. The book is set in the Sonoran Desert, where a ranger is leading a school tour. A girl using a wheelchair gets distracted by a calliope hummingbird, the smallest bird in the U.S., which lands on her hand. This begins a progression of incrementally smaller scales.
Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement by Stella Caldwell
Take pride in who you are! The LGBTQ+ community is so much more than rainbow flags and the month of June. This inspiring history of the LGBTQ+ community enlightens young readers on the true timeline of LGBTQ+ history around the world, the lives of important figures like Harvey Milk, and iconic events like Stonewall and the legalization of same-sex marriages across the world. Don't just learn about LGBTQ+ history – take pride in it!
Can You Survive the 1865 Sultana Disaster? An Interactive History Adventure by Eric Braun
The date is April 27, 1865. You are crammed onboard the steamboat Sultana with more than 2,000 passengers. Many of them are soldiers heading home after the Civil War. You’re cruising on the Mississippi River when a massive explosion rips through the ship. Do you dive into the water to save yourself or stay onboard to help the survivors? Will you try to swim for shore or wait for help to arrive? With dozens of choices, it’s up to YOU to decide how you’ll survive.
6th-8th Grade Reading Ideas from Mrs. Tourtelot
Starfish by Lisa Fipps (realistic fiction/novel-in-verse)
Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed. Even her own mom fat-shames her. Ever since she wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she's been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules – like "no making waves," "avoid eating in public," and "don't move so fast that your body jiggles." Can her new neighbor, Catalina, help Ellie cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life?
For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome (historical fiction)
An interracial friendship between two teenage girls goes tragically wrong in this novel set during segregation in the South. Lamb is a quiet and studious girl. She is also naive. As she accepts the friendly overtures of a white girl who loans her a book she loves, she sets a off a tragic series of events that pulls in her mother, uncle, estranged father, and brother, and ends in a lynching. (By one of the authors who visited our school this year.)
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander (historical fiction)
A novel-in-verse about a boy escaping slave owners during the nineteenth century. 11-year-old Kofi loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his grandfather, a girl named Ama, and swimming. He's hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin. But suddenly he is sent on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves. (By one of the authors who Zoomed with our school last year!)
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee (realistic fiction)
It starts with some boys giving Mia an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. They’re just being friendly, aren’t they? And how can she say no? But the hug feels… weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn't she know what flirting looks like? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others – and herself.
Hands by Torrey Maldonado (realistic fiction)
Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters, especially from his stepdad. His stepdad's return stresses Trev – because when he left, he threatened Trev's mom. Rather than live scared, Trev takes matters into his own hands, literally. He starts learning to box to handle his stepdad. But everyone isn't a fan of his plan, because Trev's a talented artist, and his hands could actually help him build a better future. (This is the latest novel from one of the authors who visited our school this year!)