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1 2016 Summer Readi ng Suggestions Grades Pre-K-4 BCEMS Library/Media Center StephanieMcMahan PreK-8 Library/Media Specialist The following suggestions are taken from lists of award winning and highly recommended books for Grades K-4. Check out BCEMS Li- brary or the Aldrich Public Library for these books. Suggestions include books that students can read themselves and books that parents can read aloud. RL = Reading Level Pre-K-1 st Grade Roger is Reading a Book Van Biesen. All Roger wants is some peace and quiet so he can read his book. Unfortunately, the girl in the apartment next door has hobbies of her own -- very loud hobbies! But when Roger gives the girl a book of her own, she discovers that reading can be just as much fun as playing basketball or banging a drum. RL 0.7 2. Waiting is Not Easy! Willems, Mo. Piggie tells Gerald she has a surprise for him, but it is not there yet so Gerald must be patient. RL 0.7 3. Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep! Tarpley, Todd. When his three rambunctious robots give every possible excuse not to go to sleep, what's a little boy to do? With a fun refrain that will have readers of all ages chanting along, here's a book that kids will be begging to read every night before bed. RL 0.9 4. Llama Llama Sand & Sun Dewdney, Anna. Read along with Llama Llama as he splashes in the waves and plays in the sand in this brand-new touch-and-feel board book! RL 0.9 5. Who Done It? Tallec, Olivier. In this charming book, each page asks the reader a question about the lineup of characters featured on the spread. Sharp eyes and keen observation are necessary. There's only one right answer, and it's not always easy! Kids will love learning early concepts like expressions and positions as a natu- ral consequence of their hunt for clues in the details of the lineup. RL 0.9 6. A Pig, a Fox, and a Box Fenske, Jonathan. In the style of Mo Willems, Jonathan Fenske tells three humorous stories of two friends, Pig and Fox, and their shenanigans with a cardboard box (all of which involved Pig accidentally crushing Fox in the box). RL 1.1 7. Woodpecker Wham! Sayre, April Pulley. Enter woodpecker world and get a bird's eye view of everyday life: hiding from hawks, feeding hungry chicks, and drilling holes to build homes. Woodpeckers are nature's home builders, creating holes that many other animals live in when the woodpeckers move on. A variety of woodpecker species fly through these pages--perhaps some that live near you! RL 1.1 8. The Bear Report Heder Thyra. Sophie is uninterested in writing a research report on polar bears until a polar bear named Olafur swoops her away to the Arctic, where she learns all about the playful bear's habits and habitat, from glacier mice to Northern Lights. RL 1.2 9. My Two Blankets Kobald, Irena. Cartwheel moves to a new country with her auntie, and everything is strange: the animals, the plants--even the wind. An old blanket gives Cartwheel comfort when she's sad-- and a new blanket just might change her world. This multicultural story of friendship is about leaving home, moving to a foreign and strange place, and finding a new friend. RL 1.3 10. Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret Shea, Bob. Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests--making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade--goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their se- crets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever? RL 1.5

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2016 Summer Reading

Suggestions Grades Pre-K-4

BCEMS Library/Media Center

StephanieMcMahan PreK-8 Library/Media Specialist

The following suggestions are taken from lists of award winning and highly recommended books for Grades K-4. Check out BCEMS Li-brary or the Aldrich Public Library for these books. Suggestions include books that students can read themselves and books that parents can read aloud.

RL = Reading Level

Pre-K-1st Grade Roger is Reading a Book Van Biesen. All Roger wants is some peace and quiet so he can read his book. Unfortunately, the girl in the apartment next door has hobbies of her own -- very loud hobbies! But when Roger gives the girl a book of her own, she discovers that reading can be just as much fun as playing basketball or banging a drum.

RL 0.7 2. Waiting is Not Easy! Willems, Mo. Piggie tells Gerald she has a surprise for him, but it is not there yet so Gerald

must be patient. RL 0.7 3. Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep! Tarpley, Todd. When his three rambunctious robots give every possible excuse not to go to sleep, what's a little boy to do? With a fun refrain that will have readers of all ages chanting along, here's a book that kids will be begging to read every night before bed. RL 0.9

4. Llama Llama Sand & Sun Dewdney, Anna. Read along with Llama Llama as he splashes in the waves and plays in the sand in this brand-new touch-and-feel board book! RL 0.9 5. Who Done It? Tallec, Olivier. In this charming book, each page asks the reader a question about the lineup of characters featured on the spread. Sharp eyes and keen observation are necessary. There's only one right answer, and it's not

always easy! Kids will love learning early concepts like expressions and positions as a natu-ral consequence of their hunt for clues in the details of the

lineup. RL 0.9 6. A Pig, a Fox, and a Box Fenske, Jonathan. In the style of Mo Willems, Jonathan Fenske tells three humorous stories of two friends, Pig and Fox, and their shenanigans with a cardboard box (all of which involved Pig accidentally crushing Fox in the box). RL 1.1 7. Woodpecker Wham! Sayre, April Pulley. Enter woodpecker world and get a bird's eye view of everyday life: hiding from hawks, feeding hungry chicks, and drilling holes to build homes. Woodpeckers are nature's home builders, creating holes that many other animals live in when the woodpeckers move on. A variety of woodpecker species fly through these pages--perhaps some that live near you! RL 1.1

8. The Bear Report Heder Thyra. Sophie is uninterested in writing a

research report on polar bears until a polar bear named Olafur swoops her away to the Arctic, where she learns all about the playful

bear's habits and habitat, from glacier mice to Northern Lights. RL 1.2 9. My Two Blankets Kobald, Irena. Cartwheel moves to a new country with her auntie, and everything is strange: the animals, the plants--even the wind. An old blanket gives Cartwheel comfort when she's sad--and a new blanket just might change her world. This multicultural story of friendship is about leaving home, moving to a foreign and strange place, and finding a new friend. RL 1.3

10. Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret Shea, Bob. Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests--making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade--goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their se-crets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever? RL 1.5

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19. The Skunk Barnett, Mac. When a skunk first appears in the tuxedoed man's doorway, it's a strange but possibly harmless occurrence. But then the man finds the skunk following him, and the unlikely pair embark on an increasingly frantic chase through the city, from the streets to the opera house to the fairground. What does the skunk want? It's not clear--but soon the man has bought a new house in a new neighborhood to escape the little creature's attention, only to find himself missing something… RL 1.6 20. Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle Paul, Miranda. A spare, poetic picture book exploring the different phases of the water cycle in surprising and engaging ways. RL 1.6 21. Honestly, Red Riding Hood was Rotten!: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf Shaskan, Trisha Speed. The Big Bad Wolf, who claims to be a vegetarian, tells his side of the story of Little Red Riding Hood and her granny. RL 1.7 22. Boats for Papa Bagley, Jessixa. Buckley and his Mama live in a cozy cabin by the ocean. He loves to carve boats out of the driftwood he finds on the beach nearby. He makes: big boats, long boats, short boats and tall boats, each one more beautiful than the last, and sends them out to sea. If they don't come back, he knows they've found their way to his papa, whom he misses very much. In this stunning debut, author/illustrator Jessixa Bagley explores the subtle and deep emotions associated with loss in a heartwarming tale that is sure to stay with the reader long after the book is closed. RL 1.8

clever way to face their fears. RL 1.5 15. The Moon is Going to Addy’s House After a play date in the city, Addy heads home to the country with her family. Through the long drive, the moon seems to be following them closely—Addy's faithful guardian and friend. RL 1.5 16. Flop to the Top! Davis, Eleanor. In this modern-day fable, Wanda calls her brother and sister "fans" and never misses a chance to share a selfie. She's ready to show the world how Wanda-ful she really is but all people are interested in is...her dog! Superstar cartoonists Eleanor Davis and Drew Weing will have young readers in stitches with this hilarious tale of fame and fandom. RL 1.6 17. Hilo, Book 1: The Boy Who

Crashed to Earth Winick, Judd. When a mysterious boy falls from the sky, friends D.J. and Gina must discover the secrets of his identity and help him

save the world. RL 1.6 18. I Yam a Donkey! Bell, Cece. The story begins with a donkey's excited announcement, "I yam a donkey!" Unfortunately the donkey's audience happens to be a yam, and one who is particular about sloppy pronunciation and poor grammar. An escalating series of misunderstandings leaves the yam furious and the clueless donkey bewildered by the yam's growing (and amusing) frustration. The yam finally gets his point across, but regrettably, he's made the situation a little bit too clear . . . and the story ends with a dark and out-rageously funny twist. RL 1.6

11. Don’t Throw it to Mo! Adler, David A. Mo Jackson is a little boy with a big passion for sports. He may not be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest player, but he won't let that stop him from playing! Mo is the youngest kid on the Robins, his football team. His classmates don't mind, but the kids on their rival team tease him for being a "butterfingers" who's too tiny to catch the ball. But Mo's coach has a plan to turn Mo's little size into a big win for the Robins! RL 1.5 12. Press Here Tullet, Herve. This book instructs the reader on how to interact with the illustra-tions to manipulate yellow, blue, and red dots. RL 1.5 13. Red De Kinder, Jan. In this poignant story, a girl finds it funny when her classmate starts blushing on the school play-ground. Her friends laugh along with her, but one student takes the teasing too far. Torn between her sympathy for her classmate and her fear of the bully, the girl must make a difficult choice. This heartfelt book will inspire readers to find the courage to take a stance against bullying and show compassion towards others. RL 1.5

14. The Fun Book of Scary Stuff Jenkins, Emily. There are lots of frightening things out there. Witches.

Trolls. Sharks. The DARK! But nothing seems as scary once you turn on the light. In this hilarious picture book, a boy and his two dogs go through a list of all the things, both real and imagined, that make the hair on the backs of their necks stand on end--and come up with a

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30. I’m Cool McMullan, Kate. For fans of all things snow and ice comes the latest addition to this hilarious read-aloud series from the popular creators of I Stink! and I'm Dirty!: the ice-cold Zamboni machine! Perfect for any young hockey player. When the ice is full of cuts and ruts, only one ma-chine has the GUTS to clean it up. But can this slow-movin' ice fixer smooth the grooves before the next period? Or will he lose his COOL? The timer's ticking! BUZZZZZZ! RL 2.0 31. I’m Trying to Love Spiders: (It Isn’t Easy) Barton, Bethany. I'm

Trying to Love Spiders will help you see these amazing arachnids in a whole new light, from their awesomely excessive

eight eyes, to the seventy-five pounds of bugs a spider can eat in a single year! And you're sure to feel better knowing you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than being fatally bit by a spider. Comforting, right? No? Either way, there's heaps more information in here to help you forget your fears . . . or at least laugh a lot! RL 2.0 32. Dogerella Boelts, Maribeth. With the help of her fairy dog-mother, Dogerella attends Princess Bea's ball where she competes with other dogs to become the princess's royal pet. RL 2.1

Whether read aloud to a toddler or discovered by a young reader, Liniers' celebration of the creative process is sure to make everyone want to bring out their pencils. RL 1.8 27. Freedom in Congo Square Weatherford, Carole Boston. This poetic, nonfiction story about a little-known piece of African American history captures a human's capacity to find hope and joy in difficult circumstances and demonstrates how New Orleans' Congo Square was truly freedom's heart. RL 1.9 28. The Ants and the Grasshopper Worley, Rob M. As the ants work all summer and fall to prepare for winter, grasshopper dances and plays. When winter comes, grasshopper is cold and hungry and it's the ants turn to play. Find the moral to Aesop's fable in the easy-to-read, brilliantly illustrated Short Tales Fable The Ants and the Grasshopper. RL 1.9

2nd Grade 29. A Dog Wearing Shoes Ko, Sangmi. When Mini finds a small moppet of a dog, with fluffy ears, no collar, and wearing yellow booties, she understandably wants to take it home. Despite Mom's insistence that the dog probably already has a fam-ily, Mini gets attached and is awfully proud of her new pal, who can sing, sit, and give both paws. But when the pup runs off one day at the park, Mini comes to understand how someone else out there might be missing the little guy too. RL 2.0

23. Hot Rod Hamster: Monster Truck Mania Lord, Cynthia. It's Fair Day, and Fearless Franco's

famous Monster Truck Mania has come to town. Hot Rod Hamster and his friends are geared up for a roaring, soaring great time, so they set out to find the best ride at the fair. The water boats, spinning tea-cups, and bumper cars are great, but Hamster can't seem to find the BEST ride. That is, of course, until Fearless Franco needs a last-minute back-up driver for his monster truck. Can Hot Rod Hamster help him out, and still find the best ride of all? RL 1.8 24. Look and be Grateful DePaola, Tomie. A young boy awakens with the dawn, opens his eyes and looks closely at his world. He admires all that surrounds him, large and small, from the radiant sun to a tiny, but exquisite ladybug. Today is today, and it is a gift. We are encouraged to be thankful. RL 1.8

25. The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy Alemagna, Beatrice. Eddie is five-and-a-half and thinks she is the only one in her family without a special talent.

So when she hears her sister say "birthday-Mommy-fluffy-little-squishy," she worries that her sister will give Mom the better present. From that moment on, she is determined to find a fluffy little squishy of her own. RL 1.8 26. Written and Drawn by Henrietta Liniers. Reading books is fun . . . but what about making them? Armed with new colored pencils, Henrietta's ready to try. Peek over her shoulder as she draws the story of a brave young girl, a three-headed monster, and an impossibly wide world of adventure.

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always easy, sharing with a sibling can make things even more fun! RL 2.3

40. March Grand Prix: the Race at Harewood Soo, Kean. March the Hare enters into his very first professional race at Harewood Speedway and comes up against the defending World

Champion, Lyca the Fox, whose skill and aggression is unrivaled. March finds help and inspiration in the unlikeliest of places--his own family. RL 2.3 41. Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds Dubuc, Marianne. In this bustling picture book, Mr. Postmouse carefully loads up his wagon and sets off to make the day's mail deliveries to all the animals on his route. Via cross-section drawings, readers get to peer inside each home Mr. Postmouse stops at, and every one is different, depending on the animals who live there. RL 2.3 42. Seriously, Cinderella is so Annoying!: the story of Cinderella as told by the Wicked Stepmother Shaskan, Trisha Speed. The classic tale of Cinderella as told by her stepmother, who was not really so wicked after all. RL 2.3 43. Froodle Portis, Antoinette. In a normal neighborhood, on a typical day, the birds chirp, the dogs bark and the cats meow. When Little Brown Bird decides she doesn't want to sing the same old song, out comes a new tune that shakes up the neighborhood and changes things forever in this funny, innovative book that kids will love to read outloud. RL 2.4

36. Mr. Putter & Tabby Smell the Roses Rylant, Cynthia. Mr. Putter wants Mrs. Teaberry's birthday to be extra special this year. So how about a trip to the Conservatory to see the beautiful trees and plants and flowers? It will be heavenly. And it is! Mr. Putter and Tabby and Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke sniff the air. They smell the roses. They learn the plant facts. It's the perfect celebration . . . until Zeke finds the banana tree. RL 2.2 37. Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova Snyder, Laurel. One night, young Anna's mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. So begins the journey of a girl who will one day grow up to be the most famous prima ballerina of all time, inspiring legions of dancers after her: the brave, the generous, the transcendently gifted Anna Pavlova. Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova is a heartbreakingly beauti-ful picture book biography perfect for aspiring ballerinas of all ages. RL 2.2 38. Zen Socks Muth, Jon J. Leo and Molly love their new neighborhood. Most of all they love their friend Stillwater. The three friends are quite a team! From Caldecott Honoree Jon J Muth comes a story about sharing, another about patience, and a third about compassion. With warmth and fun, they learn from one another in the most surprising ways.... RL 2.2 39. How to Share with a Bear Pinder, Eric. The perfect thing to do on a chilly day is to make a blanket cave. But, of course, a comfy cave never stays empty for too long...What's a boy to do when a bear takes over his cave? Try to dis-tract him with a trail of blueberries? Some honey? A nice long back scratch? How to Share with a Bear is a story about how although it's not

33. I Want to go to the Moon Saunders, Tom. From the time when young Neil Armstrong took his first small steps and spoke his first words,

he wanted to travel into space. Although everyone told him it was impossible, he never gave up. Tom Saunders' song tells the story of Armstrong's life, concluding with the day he made that world-changing "giant leap." In this book, Saunders' poetic, inspiring lyrics are brought to life by the illustrations of award-winning Cynthia Nugent. RL 2.1 34. Robo-Sauce Rubin, Adam. FACT: Robots are awesome. They have lasers for eyes, rockets for feet, and supercomputers for brains! Plus, robots never have to eat steamed beans or take baths, or go to bed. If only there were some sort of magical "Robo-Sauce" that turned squishy little humans into giant awesome robots... Well, now there is. Giggle at the irreverent humor, gasp at the ingenious fold-out surprise ending, and gather the whole family to enjoy a unique story about the power of imagination. It's picture book technology the likes of which humanity has never seen! RL 2.1 35. The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot McNamara, Margaret. GREEP BOINK MEEP! The three little aliens are happily settling into their new homes when the Big Bad Robot flies in to crack and smack and whack their houses down! A chase across the solar system follows in this out-of-this-world version of the clas-sic Three Little Pigs tale. RL 2.1

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50. The Art Treasure Hunt: I Spy with my Little Eye Kutschbach, Doris. Introducing young readers to great art is as easy as A, B, see! Young children love a good game of "I Spy with My Little Eye." In this beautifully designed book they are playfully challenged to find details "hidden" in some of the world's greatest paintings. On each double-page spread, a large reproduction of a masterpiece is paired with a list of items to search for. A brief age-appropriate text makes connections between the art and the child's own environment. Filled with hours of joyful discovery, this art book sets the stage for greater artistic appreciation as children grow older. RL 2.6 51. Zoom Adams, Diane. A timid young boy joins his eager father for a ride on a roller coaster. After zigzagging through the line, the pair boards the DinoCoaster for a fast-paced ride that takes them lurching and tilting upside down, round and round. When the roller coaster finally comes to a stop, the excited young boy is ready for another ride... but his queasy father has other ideas. RL 2.6 52. Hiawatha and the Peace-maker Robertson, Robbie. Hia-watha, a Mohawk, is plotting re-venge for the murder of his wife and daughters by the evil Onon-daga Chief, Tadodaho, when he meets the Great Peacemaker, who enlists his help in bringing the na-tions together to share his vision of a new way of life marked by peace, love, and unity rather than war, hate, and fear. RL 2.7 53. Leo: A Ghost Story Barnett, Mac. Leo is a friendly house ghost--but when a family moves into his house, and tries to get rid of him, he leaves and roams the city looking for a friend. RL 2.7

47. 50 Below Zero Munsch, Robert N. Jason’s dad falls asleep everywhere … except in his own bed. All night long, Jason gets woken up by strange noises that lead him to find his dad in the most unexpected places—from on top of the refrigerator to the freezing cold woods outside his house. In order to finally get a good night’s sleep, Jason musters up all of his resources and comes up with a most unexpected solution—tying his dad’s toe to the bathroom doorknob to keep him in place. RL 2.6 48. Fly Guy Presents: Bats Arnold, Tedd. It's time for a field trip! Fly Guy and Buzz are going into a bat cave to learn all about bats. With straightforward text, humorous asides, and kid-friendly full-bleed photographs throughout, young readers will love learning all about these nocturnal creatures. RL 2.6 49. National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry: More than 200 Po-ems with Photographs that Float, Zoom, and Bloom! When words in verse are paired with the awesomeness of nature, something magical happens! Beloved former U.S. Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis curates an exuberant poetic celebration of the natural world in this stellar collection of nature poems. From trickling streams to deafening thrunderstorms to soaring mountains, discover majestic photography perfectly paired with contemporary (such as Billy Collins), classics (such as Robert Frost), and never-before-published works. RL 2.6

44. R is for Rocket Hills, Tad. From finding acorns, to balancing on a ball, to offering a cookie and a crayon to a crow,

readers will love exploring the wonderful world of Rocket and his friends. The whole cast is featured, among them the little yellow bird, the owl, Bella the squirrel, and more. Even Goose from the beloved and bestselling Duck & Goose books makes a cameo appearance! With charming and delightful scenes for every letter, here's an ode to the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet. RL 2.4 45. Ragweed’s Farm Dog Handbook Kennedy, Anne. Being a farm dog is a tough job, but luckily, Ragweed's handbook will tell you everything you need to know. Step one: don't wake the farmer! You may really, really want to, but that's the rooster's job. Of course, if you do wake the farmer, you might just get a biscuit. . . . Full of hilarious dog logic, Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook explores the pitfalls —and opportunities! — of a dog's life on the farm. Readers will love being in on the joke as Ragweed breaks all his own rules, collecting biscuits as he goes. RL 2.4 46. Skink on the Brink Dalrymple, Lisa. Stewie is a very special skink; he has a beautiful blue tail, which gives him a superpower against his enemies. But as he grows up and his beautiful blue tail starts to turn grey, he can't call himself Stewie the Blue anymore, and without his rhymes, his home by the pond doesn't feel as special either. RL 2.5

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61. The Bear Ate Your Sandwich Sarcone-Roach, Julia.

A delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the

park. The bear's journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it's not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale. RL 3.0

62. Roller Girl Jamieson, Victoria. For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby

and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school... strong enough to be a roller girl. RL 3.1 63. You’re a Crab! A Moody Day Book Whitehead, Jenny. Some days, it's easy to feel friendly or funny or silly. But other days, it's easier to feel mad or mean or snappy--in other words, to be a crab. In this acces-sible introduction to moods and feelings, children will meet an underwater world full of friendly creatures, including a little crab whose changing moods show that it's okay to have days when you're feeling a little bit under the weather. Things will turn around soon enough! RL 3.1

raise the water in the bog, pick the cranberries, and gather the fruit for processing. It's a story of modern family farming in action, showing readers where their food comes from but mostly delighting them along the way. RL 2.9 58. Tiptoe Tapirs Kim, Han-min. Tapir and Little Tapir are the quietest creatures in a very noisy jungle, but when a leopard is threatened by a hunter they teach him how to escape with a very soft step, and all the other animals in the jungle follow suit. RL 2.9

3rd Grade 59. A Chicken Followed Me Home!: Questions and Answers about a Familiar Fowl Page, Robin. Celebrated author-illustrator Robin Page leads a step-by-step, question-and-answer-style journey through the world of chickens. Along the way you'll explore different breeds, discover different types of coops, and learn everything there is to know about chicken reproduction and hatching. RL 3.0 60. Mr. Squirrel and the Moon Meschenmoser, Sebastian. When Mr. Squirrel awakens to find that the moon has landed on his tree, he frantically tries to get rid of it before someone suspects him of stealing it and puts him in jail. But when he rolls the moon off of his tree, it gets stuck on Mrs. Hedgehog's bristles and when the billy-goat arrives and butts it with his horns . . . Will the moon ever be the same again? Sebastian Meschenmoser's hilarious illustrations and rollicking tale will be a bedtime favorite. RL 3.0

54. McToad Mows Tiny Island Angleberger, Tom. McToad likes Thursdays. Why? Because on

Thursdays, McToad mows Tiny Island. To do so, he puts his mower on the back of a truck, which drives to a train, which goes to a helicopter, which flies to a boat, which uses a crane to put the lawn mower onto Tiny Island. There McToad mows and drinks some lemonade, and before you know it, it's time to turn around and go back home. But first, the mower has to get lifted by a crane, to get put back on a boat, which is lifted by a helicopter, and . . . well . . . you get the idea. RL 2.7 55. Bird & Diz Golio, Gary. When sax player Charlie "Bird" Parker and trumpeter John "Dizzy" Gillespie make music together, they toss notes back and forth like a game of tag and chase each other with sounds. As Dizzy's cheeks puff out like a frog with glasses, the two friends beep and bop and push each other to create a new kind of music—a thrilling fast jazz full of surprises. RL 2.9

56. The Three Ninja Pigs Schwartz, Corey Rosen. In this twist on "The Three Little Pigs" tale, Pig One and Two neglect their ninja school martial arts

training and are no match for the wolf, but Pig Three's practice and dedication saves the day. Includes glossary of Japanese martial arts terms. RL 2.9 57. Time for Cranberries Detlef-sen, Lisl H. When the vines hang heavy with berries that the autumn winds have turned deep red, it's time for cranberries, and Sam is finally old enough to help with the harvest! This charming, lyrical picture book follows Sam and his family as they

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73. Tucky Jo and Little Heart Polacco, Patricia. A fifteen-year-old soldier in World War II meets a sweet young girl in the Philippines who helps him remember what he is fighting for as he helps her and others of her village avoid starvation, and many years later she returns his kindness. RL 3.4 74. Angela’s Airplane Munsch, Robert N. A five-year-old girl gets lost at the airport and takes off in an airplane. RL 3.5 75. At Grandpa’s Sugar Bush Carney, Margaret. A young boy spends his spring vacation helping his grandpa with the annual ritual of tapping the trees, collecting the sap, and making sweet, sticky maple syrup. RL 3.5

76. Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution Rockliff, Mara. A picture book biography about a forgotten hero of the American Revolution who rose to the occasion and served his country, not with muskets or canons, but with gingerbread! RL 3.5 77. The Parakeet Named Dreidel Singer, Isaac Bashevis. On the eighth night of Hanukkah, a family rescues a Yiddish-speaking, dreidel-playing parakeet. RL 3.5 78. The Princess and the Pony Beaton, Kate. Princess Pinecone would like a real war horse for her birthday, instead of which she gets a plump, cute pony--but sometimes cuteness can be a kind of weapon, especially in a fight with dodgeballs and spitballs and hairballs and squareballs. RL 3.5

68. Secret Coders Yang, Gene Luen. Welcome to Stately Academy, a school which is just crawling with mysteries to be

solved! The founder of the school left many clues and puzzles to challenge his enterprising students. Using their wits and their growing prowess with coding, Hopper and her friend Eni are going to solve the mystery of Stately Academy no matter what it takes! RL 3.3

69. Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears Schwartz, Corey Rosen. In this fractured fairy tale, the Three Bear Band holds tryouts for a lead singer. RL 3.4 70. Hippos are Huge! London, Jonathan. Hippos may make you laugh, but watch out! An acclaimed naturalist takes an exuberant look at these massive, swift, and super dangerous animals. RL 3.4 71. Lenny & Lucy Stead, Philip Christian. This is a story about moving to a new house and making new friends. RL 3.4 72. Little Red Writing Holub, Joan.

Once upon a time, in pencil school, a brave little red pencil sets out to write an exciting story with nouns and adverbs and everything--but first

she has to face the ravenous pencil sharpener, the Wolf 3000. RL 3.4

64. Waiting Henkes, Kevin. Waiting is a big part of childhood—waiting in line, waiting to grow up, waiting for something special to happen—but in this book, a child sets the stage and pulls the strings. Timeless, beautiful, and deeply heartfelt, this picture book about imaginative play, the seasons, friendship, and surprises marks a new pinnacle in Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes's extraordinary career. RL 3.2

65. Elephant Eszterhas, Suzi. Follow one newborn elephant calf from her birth on the African savannah

to her first days with the herd, feeding, playing in the waterholes, and meeting other young ele-phants. Young readers get to see the young elephant developing and growing until she is able to survive without her mother in her challenging African habitat, playing her part in the life of the herd until she is ready to have a calf of her own. RL 3.3 66. Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass Rapparport, Doreen. Doreen Rappaport captures Frederick's journey from boy to man, from slavery to freedom, by weaving Frederick's powerful words with her own. London Ladd's strong and evocative illustrations combine with the text to create a moving portrait of an extraordinary life. RL 3.3 67. My Pen Myers, Christopher. Acclaimed author and illustrator Christopher Myers uses rich black-and-white illustrations to bring a sketchbook to life, showing that with a simple pen, a kid can do anything! RL 3.3

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87. Sideways Stories from Wayside School Sachar, Louis. Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was

accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story. RL 3.9 88. The War that Saved My Life Bradley, Kimberly Burbaker. A young disabled girl and her brother are evacuated from London to the English countryside during World War II, where they find life to be much sweeter away from their abusive mother. RL 3.9 89. Took: A Ghost Story Hahn, Mary Downing. A witch called Old Auntie is lurking near Dan's family's new home. He doesn't believe in her at first, but is forced to accept that she is real and take action when his little sister, Erica, is 'took' to become Auntie's slave for the next fifty years. RL 3.9

Interest Level K – 3 90. Float Miyares, Daniel. A boy's small paper boat—and his large imagination—fill the pages of this wordless picture book, a modern-day classic from the creator of Pardon Me! that includes endpaper instruc-tions for building a boat of your own. 91. Sidewalk Flowers Lawson, Jon-Arno. In this wordless picture book, a little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. Each flower becomes a gift, and whether the gift is noticed or ignored, both giver and recipient are transformed by their encounter.

83. Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music Engle, Margarita. Follows a girl in the 1920s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there has never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters. RL 3.8 84. Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story Faruqi, Reem. Now that she is ten, Lailah is delighted that she can fast during the month of Ramadan like her family and her friends in Abu Dhabi, but finding a way to explain to her teacher and classmates in Atlanta is a challenge until she gets some good advice from the librarian, Mrs. Scrabble. RL 3.8

85. Francine Poulet meets the Ghost Rac-coon DiCamillo, Kate. Francine Poulet is the greatest animal control officer in Gizzford County. She's battled

snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. She is never scared – until, that is, she's faced with a screaming raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. Maybe Francine isn't cut out to be an animal control officer after all! But the raccoon is still on the loose, and the folks on Deckawoo Drive need Francine back. Can she face her fears, round up the raccoon, and return to the ranks of animal control? RL 3.9 86. Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 Winter, Jo-nah. An elderly African American woman, en route to vote, remem-bers her family's tumultuous vot-ing history in this picture book published in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. RL 3.9

79. Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure Spiegelman, Nadja. After getting separated from his teacher, his classmates, and his trip partner during an outing to the Empire State Building, Pablo, the new kid in school, learns to navigate the New York City subway system as well as his own feelings towards making new friends and living in a big city. RL 3.6

80. Tiger Esterhas, Suzi. Follow a family of beautiful tiger cubs from birth to adulthood, photographed in

the wild in the Indian jungle, including the very first weeks in their safe, rocky den, feeding from their mother. Young readers see the cubs at three months old, learning tiger skills through play. Finally, after six months, their mother teaches them to hunt their own food and become independent. At the back of the book is a page packed with information about tigers in the wild. RL 3.6

81. Crenshaw Applegate, Katherine. A story about a homeless boy and his imaginary friend that proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary. RL 3.7 82. A Passion for Elephants: the Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss Buzzeo, Toni. Cynthia Moss devoted her life to the study of the largest land animal, the African elephant, living among them on the wide-open savannah. RL 3.8

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103. Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree Messner, Kate. Looks at the various animals that live in an

almendo tree. RL 4.2 104. Baba Yaga’s Assistant McCoola, Marika. Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many useful things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. RL 4.3 105. Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild Cotton, Katie. Exquisite charcoal drawings of ten endangered creaturesstartle the viewer with their size and astonishing detail. A poetic text notes each creature's particular qualities and behavior, while providing a quiet counting exercise and a reminder that these animals must be cherished and protected. RL 4.3 106. Harriet the Invincible Vernon, Ursula. Never a conventional princess, Harriet becomes an adventurer after learning she is cursed to fall into a deep sleep on her twelfth birthday. After two years of slaying ogres, cliff-diving, and more with her riding quail, Mumfrey, things go awry at home and she must seek a prince to set things right. RL 4.3

that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life. RL 4.0 98. Trombone Shorty Andrews, Troy. New Orleans jazz musician Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews tells the story of how he got his nickname and his start in jazz music. RL 4.0

99. Nuts to You Perkins, Lynne Rae. After surviving being carried off by a hawk, a young squirrel resolves to find his way home,

as his best friends begin their search for him. RL 4.1 100. Sail Away Hughes, Langston. A celebration of mermaids, wildernesses of waves, and the creatures of the deep through poems by Langston Hughes and cut-paper collage illustrations by multiple Coretta Scott King Award–winner Ashley Bryan. RL 4.1

101. An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns Rosenthal, Betsy R. Have you ever heard

of a prickle of porcupines? A tower of giraffes? This romp through the animal kingdom introduces collective nouns for animals through wordplay. RL 4.2 102. Detective Gordon: The First Case Nilsson, Ulf. Some-one's stealing nuts from the forest, and it's up to Detective Gordon to catch the thief! A brilliant detec-tive story by one of Sweden's top children's writers and illustrated in full color throughout. RL 4.2

92. The Only Child Guojing. In this wordless graphic novel, a young girl traveling from her city apartment to her grandmother's country home becomes lost and enters a fantastical world in the clouds.

93. Two Mice Ruzzier, Sergio. Two mice set off on an adventure that includes a shipwreck, kidnapping by a bird of prey, a narrow escape,

and a moonlit stroll home. 94. Wait Portis, Antoinette. A ... picture book about the joys of wait-ing and taking in what is around you.

4th Grade 95. Jack and the Baked Beanstalk Stimpson, Colin. After their café fails, Jack takes his mother's last few pennies and exchanges them for a can of magic baked beans that then lead Jack on a journey to a giant who is bored with counting his fortune. RL 4.0 96. Mad about Monkeys Davey, Owen. With over 250 species inhabiting our planet, this book explores the many different types of monkeys from the smallest Pygmy Marmoset to the largest Mandrill, and provides all the facts you wanted to know and more. Discover where monkeys come from, how they swing from tree to tree, and why they fight and play with each other. After reading this beautifully illustrated book, you'll soon be raving mad about monkeys! RL 4.0 97. The One and Only Ivan Applegate, Katherine. When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant

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107. Mouse Scouts Dillard, Sarah. To earn their Sow It and Grow It badge, Violet, Tigerlilly, and the other Mouse Scouts plant a vegetable garden. RL 4.3

108. The Goblin’s Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice Chilton, Andrew S. A boy, a goblin, a scholar, and a princess

join forces to defeat a dragon, outwit a scheming duke, and solve a logic puzzle. RL 4.3 109. The House that Jane Built: A Story about Jane Addams Stone, Tanya Lee. Looks at the life of Jane Addams and her founding of the settlement home Hull House. RL 4.3 110. The Story of Diva and Flea Willems, Mo. In the bustling city of Paris, a small yet brave dog, Diva, and an adventurous cat named Flea become two unlikely friends. RL 4.3 111. Charlotte’s Web E. B. White. Tells the story of a little girl named Fern who adopts a runt pig named Wilbur, and how a spider named Charlotte helped to save Wilbur's life. RL 4.4 112. Hoodoo Smith, Ronald L. In 1930s Alabama, twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher is the only member of his family who seems unable to practice folk magic, but when a mysterious man called the Stranger puts the entire town at risk from his black magic, Hoodoo must learn to conjure to defeat him. RL 4.4 113. Adam & Thomas Apelfeld, Aharon. Adam and Thomas, two nine-year-old Jewish boys who survive World War II, take refuge in

the forest where they learn to forage and survive, soon meeting and helping other fugitives fleeing for their lives. RL 4.5 114. How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom Jenkins, Steve. How to Swallow a Pig is a clever and whimsical nonfiction book about animal behavior disguised as a How-to/Advice book by the bestselling team of Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. RL 4.5 115. A Day at the Sugar Bush: Making Maple Syrup Faulkner, Megan. Photographs and text follow a group of children as they learn how maple sap is gathered and turned into syrup, sugar, and candy. RL 4.6 116.The Year of Billy Miller Henkes, Kevin. Seven-year-old Billy Miller starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but by the end of the year he has developed good relationships with his teacher, his little sister, and his parents and learned many important lessons. RL 4.6 117. Adventures with Waffles Parr, Maria. Trille's best friend, Lena, lives on the other side of a hole of the hedge in Mathildewick Cove, where hardly a day passes without the two of them inventing some kind of adventure that often ends in trouble. Trille loves to share everything with Lena, even Auntie Granny's waffles, but Lena is keeping a secret that could compromise their friendship. Trille knows that Lena is his best friend, but does she feel the same way about him? RL 4.7

118. Old Wolf Avi. A wolf and bird must fight the starving time and find food, while a human boy learns to hunt. RL 4.7 119. The Case of the Phantom Cat Webb, Holly. Alice's father invites twelve-year-old Maisie and her dog Eddie to join Alice on a trip to the country, but the manor her father has rented seems to be haunted, terrifying Alice and putting Maisie's detecting skills to the test. Includes quizzes, activities, and more. RL 4.7 120. The Lightning Queen Resau, Laura. On the Hill of Dust, in the remote mountains of Mexico, an eleven-year-old Mixtec boy called Teo lives with his family and the animals that he has healed, but one day a Romany caravan rolls into town with a young girl who calls herself Esma, the Gypsy Queen of Lightning--it is the beginning of a life-long friendship that will change both their lives. RL 4.7 121. The Runaway’s Gold Burack, Emilie Christie. The protagonist of this historical novel, which is set in the Shetland Islands and also New York City around 1840, is Christian Robertson, a crofter and son of a crofter (small, struggling tenant farmer). When Christian's brother frames him for the theft of a bag of coins, Christian must leave home and embark on a journey to return the coins and clear his name. RL 4.7

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131. The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island Levy, Dana Alison. The Fletchers are back on Rock Island, home of all their best summer memories. But from their first day on vacation, it's clear that this year, things have changed. Their favorite lighthouse is all boarded up' and the Fletcher boys can't figure out why or how to save it. Over the course of the summer, the Fletchers will learn that sometimes, even in a place where time stands still, the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful surprises await. 132. The Firefly Code Blakemore, Megan. Mori and her friends live a normal life on Firefly Lane in their utopian community, Old Harmonie. In a world this safe and perfect, they've never had to question anything . . . never had to wonder about how their lives came to be. Until a new girl named Ilana moves in. She's so perfect that Mori and her friends are curious . . . Where exactly did Ilana come from, and why does she act so strange sometimes? When Ilana's secret is revealed, the kids on Firefly Lane must decide: is it finally time to start questioning the only world they've ever known?

disgrace they have suffered over the years kidnaps Kevin, one of Zarf's best friends. RL 4.8 127. Firefly Hollow McGhee, Allison. Because their dreams of daring adventures go against the cautious teachings of their nations, Firefly and Cricket set out on their own, find a home with kindly Vole, and together help a grieving "miniature giant" named Peter. RL 4.9 128. Inside Out & Bàack Again Thanhhà, Lai. Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama. RL 4.9 129. The Doldrums Gannon, Nicholas. An eccentric like all Helmsleys, eleven-year-old Archer escapes his overprotective mother and recruits two friends, Oliver and Adelaide, to help him plan a rescue of his long-lost grandparents, world-famous explorers who disappeared atop an iceberg in the Antarctic. RL 4.9

Interest Level 3 – 6

130. Look Out for the Fitzgerad-Trouts Spalding, Esta. Meet the Fitzgerald-Trouts, a band of four loosely related children living together in a lush tropical island. They

take care of themselves. They sleep in their car, bathe in the ocean, eat fish they catch and fruit they pick, and can drive anywhere they need to go--to the school, the laundromat, or the drive-in. If they put their minds to it, the Fitzgerald-Trouts can do anything. Even, they hope, find a real home.

122. The Toymaker’s Apprentice Smith, Sherri L. Journeyman toymaker Stefan Drosselmeyer is recruited by his mysterious cousin,

Christian, to find a mythical nut that will save Boldavia's princess and his own kidnapped father from a fanatical Mouse Queen and her seven-headed Mouse Prince, who have sworn to destroy the Drosselmeyer family. RL 4.7 123. Bounders Tesler, Monica. Twelve-year-old Jasper and his friends are the first group of cadets, called Bounders, to be trained as astronauts who use new spaceships to teleport, but soon are forced to go up against an alien society seeking revenge for stealing this brain-sync technology. RL 4.8 124. Fuzzy Mud Sachar, Louis. Two middle-grade kids take a shortcut home from school and discover what looks like fuzzy mud but is actually a substance with the potential to wreak havoc on the entire world. RL 4.8

125. Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking: a 14 Day Mystery Dionne, Erin. Instead of spending a carefree summer exploring downtown Boston with best friend Ollie, thirteen-year-old Moxie must solve a famous art heist in order to protect those she loves from her ailing grandfather's gangster past. Includes facts about the 1990 Gardner Museum art theft. RL 4.8

126. The Troll Who Cried Wolf Harrell, Rob. Zarf's unpopular troll social status becomes the least of his problems as a gang of wolves seeking revenge for the constant

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Online Resources

Great Websites for Kids: http://gws.ala.org/ Arthur: http://pbskids.org/arthur/ Barney and Friends: http://www.barney.com/usa/index.asp Between the Lions: http://pbskids.org/lions/ Disney: http://disney.go.com/index Dr. Seuss: http://www.seussville.com/ Magic School Bus: http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/index.htm NASA Kids Club: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html National Geographic Kids: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/ PBS Kids: http://pbskids.org/ Sports Illustrated for Kids: http://www.sikids.com/ Kids Reads: http://www.kidsreads.com/