- Click here for a printable version of the Summer Reading List for Students Entering 5th Grade
- Students are required to read at least two books over the summer. One book MUST be from the list below. The second reading selection is a reading level appropriate book of their choice (can include titles from the list below). Students are expected to choose books at their independent reading level. Students are required to complete two index card projects, one on the book of their choice and a second one on a book from the list below over the summer to bring completed to school in September. Students who complete all the requirements will be able to take part in “Munch a Bunch of Books”. This is a reading activity where students enjoy snacks and silent reading time with their friends. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite books to read, snacks to eat, and pillows or blankets to sit on. Parents are welcome to join students in snacks and reading!
- Click here for information on the index card project for fiction books.
- Click here for information on the index card project for nonfiction books.
Books can be borrowed from a local library or purchased from a book store. To find out what books are available through public libraries search the CLAN system. For tips on summer reading check out Summer Reading Tips and Resources published by the American Library Association.
CMS Entering 5th Grade Summer Reading List -2011
RL = Reading Level by Grade
Fic = Fiction
NFic = Non-Fiction
Students who read at least five of the nominees for Rhode Island Children’s Book Award can participate in Rooster Games. Rooster Games are an all day event for fifth and sixth grade. Books which are nominees that are read during the summer count towards the five required to play.
2012 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Nominees (Rooster Game Books)
Angleberger, Tom. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda RL 4.1 Fic Is Origami Yoda real? Or is it just Dwight who is answering everyone’s questions with his Origami Yoda? Tommy enlists the help of
his classmates, gathering stories and sketches to find out the truth. Tommy needs to know if Origami Yoda is real because he needs to know if he can trust him with a very important question…
Baskin, Nora Raleigh. Anything But Typical RL 4.1 Fic Jason is a boy with autism. Kids at school think he is “weird” and usually avoid him. Jason finally finds friendship with a girl in his online writing group. Will a face-to-face meeting change their friendship?
DiCamillo, Kate. Bink and Gollie RL 2.5 Fic Bink & Gollie, two imaginative best friends, share a tree house and a love of pancakes. In three very funny adventures, without leaving their neighborhood, they climb the Andes, befriend a goldfish, and have a big fight about rainbow colored socks.
Fleming, Candace. Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School RL 6.4 Fic When Mr. Jupiter’s class starts fifth grade, the students and their teacher arrive wearing identical toucan headdresses. The moral of the story: Birds of a feather flock together. Mr. Jupiter and his class spend the school year together: learning, and having fun with lessons like singing hamsters and George Washington’s teeth.
Holm, Jennifer L. Turtle in Paradise RL 4.1Fic It's 1935 and 11-year-old Turtle moves to Key West to live with her Aunt Minnie. Her Mom is a live-in housekeeper, and her new employer doesn't want children around. Key West turns out to be fascinating, complete with a Diaper Gang, hidden pirates' treasures, and
first cousins named Beans, Buddy, and Kermit.
Lord Cynthia. Touch Blue RL 3.6 Fic “Touch Blue and your wish will come true.” When the state of
Maine plans to shut down her island's schoolhouse, Tess's family may be forced to move to the mainland. Will her luck hold out and her wish come true?
Macy, Sue. Bylines: A Photobiography of Nellie Bly RL 7.5 NFic Daring news reporter, globetrotter, and advocate for women's rights, Nellie Bly made people stand up and take notice.
McCarthy, Meghan. Pop :The Invention of Bubble Gum RL 4.8 NFic Accidents can sometimes be fun! The true story of how an accountant at a candy company, who likes a good puzzle, stumbles upon the
perfect recipe for bubble gum.
Mone, Gregory. Fish RL 6.8 Fic Get ready for a swashbuckling pirate adventure! Join Fish as he
swabs the decks on the Scurvy Mistress. When Fish finds himself caught between the noble Captain Cobb and the deceitful first- mate Scab, he puts his clever nature to good use. A story of mutiny, sea
battles and of course, hidden treasure!
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Emily’s Fortune RL 5.4 Fic Eight year old Emily sets off on a rip-roarin’ ride as she travels by stagecoach in a Wild West adventure. She teams up with a boy named Jackson to outsmart her wicked uncle who wants her fortune.
Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal RL 5.5 NFic It is 1875 and the West needs deputies. Former slave, Bass Reeves is
hired to keep the peace. He is an honest man with a strong sense of right and wrong. Through courage and expert marksmanship Deputy Reeves brings 3,000 criminals to justice.
Paulsen, Gary. Masters of Disaster RL 6.7 Fic Henry and best friends, Riley and Reed share wacky and daring adventures. “Call 9-1-1” as these friends jump off a roof on a bicycle try to break a world record, spend the night in the woods with wild animals, and attempt to solve a hundred year old murder mystery.
Polacco, Patricia. Junkyard Wonders RL 3.1 Fic Young Trish finds herself welcomed into the “junkyard”, a class of very special friends, led by a very special teacher, who all learn to fly as they overcome tragedy and trials to triumph together!
Roberts, Laura Peyton. Green RL 4.9 Fic Lilybet Green’s 13th birthday begins with a bang. Literally! An exploding present is the start of a colorful adventure. Kidnapped by a trio of leprechauns, Lily is next in line to be Keeper for the Clan of Green’s gold – but only if she passes three tests that could change her
life forever!
Singer, Marilyn. Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse RL 4.1 Fic Presto! Change-o! Ever read a poem in reverse? Prepare to be entertained as you read each poem two ways: top to bottom and ... bottom up!
Spinelli, Eileen. The Dancing Pancake RL 3.9 Fic Can eating pancakes make tough times better? When her mom opens a restaurant Bindi gets a taste of a new life with new friends, new experiences and a new apartment.
Springstubb, Tricia. What Happened on Fox Street RL 5.2 Fic Mo Wren, Dad and “wild child” younger sister live on Fox Street. The long, hot summer is full of alarming letters, mysterious packages
and difficult changes. Growing friendships and the hope of finding a real fox in her neighborhood inspire Mo to find the courage she needs.
Stauffacher, Sue. Gator on the Loose! RL 4.7 Fic Carter’s Urban Rescue is the place to call when you find a wild animal where it shouldn’t be. Especially, when it’s a baby alligator - loose at the city pool! Follow the fun and adventures of this delightful family who work together to get the job done.
Viorst, Judith. Lulu and the Brontosaurus RL 5.6 Fic Bossy! Demanding! Spoiled! That's Lulu! Is it possible for a polite brontosaurus to be the pet she wants for her birthday? Or will Lulu find she has met her match and finally change her ways?
Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer RL 5.0 Fic As they board a plane to visit their mother in California, Delphine and her sisters imagine themselves visiting Disneyland, and meeting
movie stars. Instead they learn about the Black Panthers, and a mother who’s a mystery to them.
The rest of the books on this list are not Rooster Game Books!
Graphic Novels:
Paul Revere’s Ride by X Niz. RL 3.9 NFic An account of American patriot Paul Revere's famous ride to warn John Hancock and Sam Adams that the British were coming to arrest them and planning to seize weapons gathered by the colonial militia in preparation for the Revolutionary War.
Blast to the Past by S. Nickel. RL 1.7 Fic Darrin invents a time machine in his bedroom in order to go back in time a few days to retake a test he and his friend Ben flunked.
Student Picks:
Foundby M. Haddix RL 5.0 Fic When thirteen-year-olds Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, full of babies with no adults on board, they realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces, each trying to repair the fabric of time.
The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by M. Downing Hahn RL 4.4 Fic In the nineteenth century, ten-year-old Florence Crutchfield leaves a London orphanage to live with her great-uncle, great-aunt, and sickly cousin James, but she soon realizes the home has another resident, who means to do her and James harm.
Red Pyramid by R. Riordan RL 4.5 Fic Brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane accidentally unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes the doctor to oblivion and forces his two children to embark on a dangerous journey, bringing them closer to the truth about their family and its links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.
Framed by G. Korman RL 5.2 Fic Griffin Bing's new principal doesn't like him. And Griffin doesn't like the boot camp football atmosphere the new principal has brought. Griffin manages to stay out of trouble -- until a Super Bowl ring disappears from the school's display case, with Griffin's retainer left in its place. Griffin has been framed! (Book 3 in the series)
The Fourth Apprentice by E. Hunter RL 5.8 Fic (Warriors, Omen of the Stars Series #1 ) Jayfeather and Lionblaze wait for a sign from StarClan as to the identity of the third cat in the prophecy while Dovekit and Ivykit prepare to become ThunderClan apprentices and one of the sisters begins to realize that she possesses unique and mysterious skills.
Travel Team by M. Lupica RL 5.3 Fic After he is cut from his travel basketball team--the very same team that his father once led to national prominence--twelve-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs.
My Life in Dog Years by G. Paulsen. RL 5.2 NFic The author describes how dogs have impacted his life from childhood through the present day, recounting the stories of his first dog, Snowball, in the Philippines; Dirk, who protected him from bullies; and Cookie, who saved his life.
Challenge Books (for students looking for a more difficult book):
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by L. Carroll RL 6.1 Fic A little girl falls down a rabbit hole and discovers a world of nonsensical and amusing characters.
Where the Red Fern Grows by W. Rawls RL 5.7 Fic A young boy living in the Ozarks achieves his heart's desire when he becomes the owner of two redbone hounds and teaches them to be champion hunters.
Eragon by C. Paolini. RL 5.8 Fic In Aagaesia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters.
Arctic Explorer: The Story of Matthew Henson by. J. Ferris RL 6.4 NFic After many years of being denied recognition as the codiscoverer of the North Pole, Henson is being accorded his rightful place in history.
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