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 K-3 are at different stages in terms of reading.  Even though many students are able to read on their own, it’s fine to read books aloud or together.  Students who are reading independently 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.  Although students entering grades K-3 are at different stages; some  are ready to do independent reading.  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

Picture Books

David Wiesner
Dr. Seuss                                                                               
Jan Brett
David Shannon
Eve Bunting
Eric Carle
Lois Elhert
Jack Gantos
John Grogan
Rob Scotton
Janet Morgan Stoeke
Karma Wilson
Judith Viorst

Beginning Independent Readers

Elephant and Piggie series - Mo Willems
Fly Guy series - Tedd Arnold              
Fancy Nancy series - Jack O’Connor
Henry and Mudge, Poppleton series, Mrs. Putter and Tabby series - Cynthia Rylant
J.J. Tully Mysteries - Doreen Cronin
Bink & Gollie series - Kate DiCamillo

Growing Independent Readers

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

Other Authors

Kevin Henkes
Jerry Pinkney

Early Nonfiction Authors

Seymour Simon
Gail Gibbons
Steve Jenkins
Sandra Markle
Nic Bishop

Award Winners

Caldecott
Newberry
Horn Book
Hans Christian Andersen
Coretta Scott King