-Helen Huber
Summer Reading Information for Entering Kindergarten Through Eighth Grades
- Entering Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth Grades:
- Read as many books on and off the list as you can. Parents, please continue reading to and with your son. There are no required books for these grades.
- (Note to parents of new and not-yet readers: Unless your son is reading independently with great enthusiasm, please read to him every day so the focus is on the joy of reading, good stories and interesting information rather than on the reading process.)
- Entering Fifth and Sixth Grade:
- You will be given a copy of Powerless by Matthew Cody. Please read this book and at least one additional age-appropriate, previously unread book from the summer reading list.
- If you want to read a book that is not on the list, please email Mrs. Huber at huberh@gmail.com or Ms. Williams at williams@cathedralschool.net for approval.
- Be prepared to talk and write about how Daniel’s friendship with the kids in Noble’s Green grows throughout Powerless. Think about the choices the kids make that help start and/or maintain their friendships. What choices interfere with friendship? Be ready to discuss and write about one additional leisure book you read this summer. Don't wait until late August. Read. Enjoy. Repeat. Be ready.
- Entering Seventh Grade:
- You will be given a copy of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Please read this book and at least one additional age-appropriate, previously unread book from the summer reading list.
- If you want to read a book that is not on the list, please email Mrs. Jackson at jjackson@cathedralschool.net for approval.
- Be prepared to talk and write about how the boys' behavior in Lord of the Flies could be seen to represent human behavior in a more general sense. Think about how their choices and actions change throughout the novel. What causes their society to crumble? Lord of the Flies is not an easy read, so be sure to use the reading strategies you've practiced in 6th grade.
- You may find study guides such as Spark Notes (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/flies/) to be helpful in reviewing each chapter before you read on.
- Be ready to discuss and write about one additional leisure book you read this summer. Don't wait until late August. Read. Enjoy. Repeat. Be ready.
- Entering Eighth Grade:
- You will be given a copy of Rootless by Chris Howard. Please read this book and at least one additional age-appropriate, previously unread book from the summer reading list.
- If you want to read a book that is not on the list, please email Mrs. Jackson at jjackson@cathedralschool.net for approval.
- Be prepared to talk and write about how the dystopian future depicted in Rootless has parallels to our current society, and to analyze the characters, especially Banyan, Alpha, Crow, and Frost. If you're interested, check out the discussion questions on the author's website: http://chrishowardbooks.com/about_studyguide.php Be ready to discuss and write about one additional leisure book you read this summer. Don't wait until late August. Read. Enjoy. Repeat. Be ready.
- Additional summer assignment for entering eighth grade Due Thursday, September 12
- Inspired by Banyan in Rootless, build or otherwise create a tree. Your tree may be two-dimensional (a drawing, painting, photo, collage, etc.) or three-dimensional (constructed out of any materials you want) and any size that can reasonably be displayed in the classroom.
- Be prepared to discuss and write about the process of creating your tree.
- Feel free to e-mail Mrs. Jackson if you have questions. (jjackson@cathedralschool.net)
CSB Summer 2013 Required and Leisure Reading
Click HERE for the Summer Reading Chat Board for upper school students and teachers. The chat board provides a place for comments that share the goodness of your reading experience. What did you love about this book? Why might others want to read it ? Please do not give away the ending or post negative reviews. Participation on the Chat Board is optional but highly encouraged. Use your school login to access the board. Read. Repeat. Enjoy!
Picture Books
A Wizard from the Start: The Incredible Boyhood and Amazing Inventions of Thomas-BrownYou You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?-Bell-Rehwoldt
Beginning/Transitional Readers
Space Bingo: Time Surfers # 1-Abbott (series)
Recommended Read-Alouds
Note about read-alouds for the younger crowd: When I’m considering a book as a read aloud for lower school students (K-4), I want a books that:
- tells an engaging story for multiple age listeners (including the reader)
- is a book slightly beyond the reading level of the listener
- has a setting that is familiar or familiar enough to make sure the story makes sense
- has a conflict that is not-too-scary
- provides opportunities for discussion and making connections (this reminds me of...)
For Listeners Who Not Reading Fluently or Independently or Are Reluctant Young Readers:
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (and so many other fab books by Roald Dahl)
Note about read-alouds for the middle school crowd: When I’m considering a book as a read aloud for students that are reading independently, I want books that:
- tell an engaging story
- would be enjoyable for both middle schoolers and their adults
- is not a required reading book in school
- may be beyond a world like our own or transport the reader/listener to another world
- has believable, interesting conflict(s)
- provides opportunities for discussion and making connections (this reminds me of...)
- may have an ethical dilemma
Read-Alouds for Older Capable (middle school) Readers
Elementary Chapter Books
Middle School Books
Dark Life-Falls (series)
Young Adult (for those entering 7th and 8th grade especially-more mature content, but still CSB-appropriate)
Nonfiction
Can I See Your I.D.?: True Stories of False Identities-Barton (middle school -young adult)
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery -Sheinkin
The Omnivore's Dilemma-(Young Readers Edition)-Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemma-(Young Readers Edition)-Pollan
Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature-Sidman (nonfiction picture book)
Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars: Grandma's Bag of Tricks-Lovejoy
Graphic Novels
Pride of Baghdad-Vaughan (young adult)
Cardboard-TenNapel
Poetry
Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems-Grandis
A Note About Shelfari (full disclosure):
In order to be able to post all of the books I wanted to include in the summer reading list, I was required to choose the option of having read all of the books. I have not read all of the books on the summer reading list (although I would love to do so.)-Helen Huber, voracious reader
How to Use Shelfari:
If you do choose to purchase books online, please consider using the link on the CSB webpage or you can just click HERE.
-Helen Huber
A Note About Shelfari (full disclosure):
In order to be able to post all of the books I wanted to include in the summer reading list, I was required to choose the option of having read all of the books. I have not read all of the books on the summer reading list (although I would love to do so.)-Helen Huber, voracious reader
How to Use Shelfari:
- When you scroll over any book, it will show my review and my rating if I have reviewed it.
- If you double click on the book, you will get Shelfari's reviews.
- You are NOT required to buy any book. But if you use the link listed below, CSB will get a percentage of any sales (books or other items.)
If you do choose to purchase books online, please consider using the link on the CSB webpage or you can just click HERE.
-Helen Huber
Scroll down, down, down for the fabulous feature-rich Shelfari Reading Shelf.
