Elementary Summer Reading List

Does your elementary homeschooler LOVE to read? Keep them in books this summer with these ten great reads!

1. “Clementine” by Sara PennypackerClementine is having not so good of a week.

*On Monday she is sent to the principal’s office for cutting off Margaret’s hair.

*Tuesday, Margaret’s mother is mad at her.

*Wednesday, she is sent to the principal again.

*Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her.

*Friday starts with yucky eggs and gets worse.

*And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.

Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week.

2. “Sherlock Academy” by F.C. ShawTeachers in disguise, secret libraries, hollow books…

All these and more await eleven-year-old Rollie Wilson at the mysterious Sherlock Academy of Fine Sleuths. When Rollie and his

best friend, Cecily, are invited to attend a school where children learn the art of detection just like the great Sherlock Holmes, they discover a strange burglary has been committed and a mystery is

afoot. Determined to investigate, Rollie discovers that appearances can be deceiving, the truth can be hurtful, and friends sometimes turn into foes. Does Rollie have what it takes to follow in Holmes’ footsteps? Can he use his skills to solve the mystery and save the

school from an unknown villain?

Sherlock Academy is a mystery and detective story for young readers that takes place in the heart of London on the famous Baker

Street.

3. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant.

These are the words in Charlotte’s web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a

friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when

he was born the runt of his litter.

4. “Julia Gillian” by Alison McGheeA new middle-grade heroine is born! The first story in an

extraordinary new series by a New York Times best-selling author.

Ten-year-old Julia Gillian knows everything about her quirky neighbors, her Minneapolis neighborhood, even the

inscrutable “claw machine” in the back of the corner hardware store. The one thing Julia Gillian doesn’t know is how the book she’s reading is going to end. It doesn’t

seem as if it’s going to have a happy ending, and that scares her. But Julia learns a little something about fear: sometimes you just have to work through it. And though bad things do happen sometimes, having good friends and family around you makes life a little bit less scary--

and much more fun.

5. “Meet Kit: An American Girl 1934” by Valerie Tripp

Kit longs for a big story to write in her daily newspaper for her dad--that is, until she is faced with news that’s really

bad. When Mother’s friends lose their house and come to stay with her family, it’s nothing but trouble for Kit. Then Kit’s dad loses his business, and things go from bad to

worse. Will life ever be the same again?

6. “Katie John” by Mary CalhounTen-year-old Katie John Tucker did not look forward to the summer she and her parents were to spend in the enormous old house in the small southern town. She hadn’t wanted to leave her friends, and she wished that fall would come quickly.

But in spite of all her gloomy predictions, Katie John had a wonderful summer. With her new friend Sue Halsey, she explored the old house and found it full of exciting surprises. The girls founded a society to improve people, and “improved” Sue’s infuriating older sister with amazing results.

The summer flew by and fall arrived all too soon. Playing a more responsible and adult role than ever before, Katie John was instrumental in deciding her family’s future. Young readers will be delighted by impulsive, warm-hearted Katie John, for, as the Virginia Kirkus Service review says, Mrs. Calhoun “imbues her story with a good feeling of locale, a strong sense of seasonal Change, and above all a vigorous portrayal of an appealing and lively heroine.”

7. “Sarah, Plain and Tall” by Patricia MacLachlan

Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna’s point of view, “Sarah, Plain and Tall”

tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa’s advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother, Caleb, wait

and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?

8. “The Whipping Boy” by Sid Fleischman

A Prince and a Pauper...Prince Brat and his whipping boy inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws. The two boys have nothing in common and even less reason to like each other. But

when they find themselves taken hostage after running away, they are left with no choice but to trust each other. “A rollicking tale of adventure and mistaken

identity. ...Robust scenes and characters are vividly evoked.”--Kirkus Reviews

9. “The Trumpet of the Swan” by E.B. WhiteLike the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can’t

trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can’t even make a sound. And since he can’t trumpet his love, the beautiful swan

Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena’s affection--he even goes to school to learn to read and

write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real bass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key

to winning Louis his love?

10. “Is that a Dead Dog in your Locker?” by Todd Strasser

The Tardy Boys, Wade and Leyton, are always getting into trouble, especially when they’re dealing with the school bully, Barton Slugg. When their friend Daisy brings her neighbor’s old dog Wheezy to school, the boys have to help her hide him. Not only does the

school have a no-furry-animals-allowed policy, but the class crybaby, Fibby Mandible, is horribly allergic to animal fur. Barton is trying everything to uncover

Wheezy’s hiding place and get the boys in hot water. It will take the ingenious work of the Tardy Boys to

outsmart him, with some hilarious results.

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