Dear Families,

Summer and all its fun is right around the corner.   During the school year students have many opportunities to read and listen to books.  Your support for those same reading experiences at home will help your child continue to grow as a reader, writer, thinker, and learner.  This summer we are asking our families to continue with our community read, Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  Your child has started this book with his/her teacher in our last months of remote learning.  You will be able to continue listening to chapters read aloud on our BPSCommunityRead YouTube channel.  Your child's teacher or principal can share this link with you.  

As you plan for the summer, please consider the possible literacy experiences your child can have in these months away from the classroom.  Our local village libraries will be offering their own summer reading program.

Students entering grades 4 and 5 are at different stages in terms of reading.  Even though students are able to read on their own, it’s fine to read books aloud or together.  Students should read a variety of texts including fiction, nonfiction, magazines and newspapers.  It is important to select some reading material which challenges them to take their reading to the next level.

The most important thing to remember is we want our students reading every day if possible!

Independent Reading occurs in all stages.  It is important for students to be given time to apply their reading skills through silent reading with a book at their independent level.  Students should be encouraged to challenge themselves to move their reading to the next level.   As you help your child select books, please consider some of the suggested authors and titles.  Remember, these are only suggestions.  Your child’s summer reading possibilities are endless and not restricted to what is suggested.

Suggested Authors

Avi
Kate DiCamillo
Jacqueline Davies
Louis Sachar
Beverly Cleary
Gary Paulsen
Christopher Paul Curtis
Judy Blume
Jerry Spinelli
Andrew Clements
Lauren Wolk
Katherine Applegate
E.B. White
Jason Reynolds

More Suggested Authors            

I Survived series - Lauren Tarshis
Harry Potter series - J.K. Rowling
You Wouldn’t Want to...series - various authors
Joey Pigza books - Jack Gantos
Series of Unfortunate Events series - Lemony Snicket
The Spiderwick Chronicles series - Tony DiTerlizzi

Growing Independent Readers

Ivy & Bean series - Annie Barrows
Geronimo Stilton -Geronimo Stilton
Cam Jansen series - David Adler
Magic Treehouse series - Mary Pope Osborne
Clementine series - Sara Pennypacker

Early Nonfiction Authors

Seymour Simon
Gail Gibbons
Steve Jenkins
Nic Bishop
Sandra Markle

Award Winners

Horn Book
Newberry
Caldecott
Hans Christian Andersen
Coretta Scott King

*Ask your school or public librarian for help finding books.