Summer Reading List for Rising 4th Graders
Read the required book along with 2 free choice for a total of 3 books.
The following list of books is to be used for suggestions in choosing your free choice books. Use the “Five Finger Rule” to help you find books that are the best fit for you. Complete the online submission form, or print and complete the form to mail or bring to school, for each book that you read. If all 3 of your responses are received by the first week of school, you will receive a one subject off homework pass.
The following list of books is to be used for suggestions in choosing your free choice books. Use the “Five Finger Rule” to help you find books that are the best fit for you. Complete the online submission form, or print and complete the form to mail or bring to school, for each book that you read. If all 3 of your responses are received by the first week of school, you will receive a one subject off homework pass.
Required Reading
Wishtree Katherine Applegate
An old red oak tree tells how he and his crow friend, Bongo, help their human neighbors get along after a threat against an immigrant family is carved into the tree's trunk.
An old red oak tree tells how he and his crow friend, Bongo, help their human neighbors get along after a threat against an immigrant family is carved into the tree's trunk.
Books in a Series
After Happily Ever After Tony Bradman
Each story begins after the classic fairy tale ends, with detailed line art adding a modern and humorous twist. It's time to find out the truth about these legends. What really happened AFTER the happily ever after?
Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls Meg Cabot
Nine-year-old Allie has rules for everything and is even writing her own rule book, but her world is turned upside-down when she learns that her family is moving across town, which will mean a new house, school, best friend, and plenty of new rules.
Beast Quest (Book 1: Ferno the Fire Dragon) Adam Blade
Young Tom, on a mission to tell the king about the disasters befalling his small town, is recognized as the son of Taladon, a swordsman who went missing years earlier, and sent on a quest to free the fire dragon Ferno, once a protector of the kingdom, from the grip of evil magic.
Can You Survive?
Your survival depends on making the right choices in key moments. Which path to take? Readers use their wits and knowlege in these nonfiction adventures, learning about survival skills in various settings and making choices that will lead to either survival or doom. Talk about narrative nonfiction!
Clementine Sara Pennypacker
Features amusing stories about the irrepressible Clementine, a charmingly flawed and quirky character.
Comeback Kids Mike Lupica
Bestseller-author Mike Lupica offers his tribute to the underdog! These are attention grabbing, action-packed sports titles that are sure to keep readers cheering for more.
Dog Diaries Kate Klimo
Each book in this series features a different dog who narrates a story that relates to its breed, training, history, or experience. From modern stories about puppy mill survivors to historical stories about the first guide dogs, this series combines compelling, fact-driven canine drama with the one thing about dogs children want to know most: their inner-doggy dreams and desires!
Hank Zipzer Henry Winkler
Inspired by the true life experiences of celebrity Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, this series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences.
Humphrey the Hamster Betty G. Birney
Everyone's favorite classroom pet! Humphrey, pet hamster at Longfellow School in Room 26, learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher. In addition, he learns that even the nicest hamster in the world can get into trouble.
I Survived Lauren Tarshis
History's most exciting and terrifying events are brought to life in this fictional series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing children and how they survived!
Jake Drake Andrew Clements
I'm Jake--Jake Drake. I've seen a whole lot of craziness while in third and fourth grade. I've duked it out for first place in the science fair (against my best friend!), I've seen bullies--ok, I've been bullied--I've been mistaken for a teacher's pet (seriously, it was all a big misunderstanding), and I've even been the class clown (ok that one I'm not so proud of). I've rounded up all my adventures in school right here for you!
Judy Moody Megan McDonald
The spirited text and wry illustrations will delight any child who's known a bad mood or a bad day--and managed to laugh anyway!
The Lemonade Wars Jacqueline Davies
Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade and as the end of summer approaches, they battle it out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars.
Magic Tree House Mary Pope Osborne
A popular series about Jack and Annie and their adventurous travels through time, both historical and mythical, in their magic tree house filled with books.
National Geographic Chapters
Featuring full-color, the high adventure series features plot-driven true stories are packed with humorous tales and weird-but-true facts sprinkled throughout. Novel sized, they are perfect for backpacks, sharing with friends, and reading under the covers.
Rainbow Magic Daisy Meadows
The Rainbow Fairies have been banished from Fairyland by the wicked Jack Frost. If they don't return soon, Fairyland is doomed to be colorless and gray.
What Was…?
Features important American history facts. Each title contains many pages of photos and illustrations, and a bibliography and timeline.
Who Was…?
An exciting, illustrated biography series perfect for children who are beyond easy-to-read books about famous people, but not quite ready for thick, long biographies.
Each story begins after the classic fairy tale ends, with detailed line art adding a modern and humorous twist. It's time to find out the truth about these legends. What really happened AFTER the happily ever after?
Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls Meg Cabot
Nine-year-old Allie has rules for everything and is even writing her own rule book, but her world is turned upside-down when she learns that her family is moving across town, which will mean a new house, school, best friend, and plenty of new rules.
Beast Quest (Book 1: Ferno the Fire Dragon) Adam Blade
Young Tom, on a mission to tell the king about the disasters befalling his small town, is recognized as the son of Taladon, a swordsman who went missing years earlier, and sent on a quest to free the fire dragon Ferno, once a protector of the kingdom, from the grip of evil magic.
Can You Survive?
Your survival depends on making the right choices in key moments. Which path to take? Readers use their wits and knowlege in these nonfiction adventures, learning about survival skills in various settings and making choices that will lead to either survival or doom. Talk about narrative nonfiction!
Clementine Sara Pennypacker
Features amusing stories about the irrepressible Clementine, a charmingly flawed and quirky character.
Comeback Kids Mike Lupica
Bestseller-author Mike Lupica offers his tribute to the underdog! These are attention grabbing, action-packed sports titles that are sure to keep readers cheering for more.
Dog Diaries Kate Klimo
Each book in this series features a different dog who narrates a story that relates to its breed, training, history, or experience. From modern stories about puppy mill survivors to historical stories about the first guide dogs, this series combines compelling, fact-driven canine drama with the one thing about dogs children want to know most: their inner-doggy dreams and desires!
Hank Zipzer Henry Winkler
Inspired by the true life experiences of celebrity Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, this series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences.
Humphrey the Hamster Betty G. Birney
Everyone's favorite classroom pet! Humphrey, pet hamster at Longfellow School in Room 26, learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher. In addition, he learns that even the nicest hamster in the world can get into trouble.
I Survived Lauren Tarshis
History's most exciting and terrifying events are brought to life in this fictional series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing children and how they survived!
Jake Drake Andrew Clements
I'm Jake--Jake Drake. I've seen a whole lot of craziness while in third and fourth grade. I've duked it out for first place in the science fair (against my best friend!), I've seen bullies--ok, I've been bullied--I've been mistaken for a teacher's pet (seriously, it was all a big misunderstanding), and I've even been the class clown (ok that one I'm not so proud of). I've rounded up all my adventures in school right here for you!
Judy Moody Megan McDonald
The spirited text and wry illustrations will delight any child who's known a bad mood or a bad day--and managed to laugh anyway!
The Lemonade Wars Jacqueline Davies
Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade and as the end of summer approaches, they battle it out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars.
Magic Tree House Mary Pope Osborne
A popular series about Jack and Annie and their adventurous travels through time, both historical and mythical, in their magic tree house filled with books.
National Geographic Chapters
Featuring full-color, the high adventure series features plot-driven true stories are packed with humorous tales and weird-but-true facts sprinkled throughout. Novel sized, they are perfect for backpacks, sharing with friends, and reading under the covers.
Rainbow Magic Daisy Meadows
The Rainbow Fairies have been banished from Fairyland by the wicked Jack Frost. If they don't return soon, Fairyland is doomed to be colorless and gray.
What Was…?
Features important American history facts. Each title contains many pages of photos and illustrations, and a bibliography and timeline.
Who Was…?
An exciting, illustrated biography series perfect for children who are beyond easy-to-read books about famous people, but not quite ready for thick, long biographies.
Individual Books
Because of Winn-Dixie Kate DiCamillo
Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big, ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society Betsy Byars
At the first annual meeting of WOOF--Words of Our Friends--assorted dogs preserve their heritage by sharing tales of canines throughout history, including Abu, who ruled all of Egypt except for one pesky cat, and Zippy, who simply must find the squeaky toy.
Fenway and Hattie Victoria J. Coe
Fenway is an excitable and endlessly energetic Jack Russell terrier. He lives in the city with Food Lady, Fetch Man, and--of course--his beloved short human and best-friend- in-the-world, Hattie. But when his family moves to the suburbs, Fenway faces a world of changes. Get a dog's eye view of the world in this heartwarming, enthusiastic "tail" about two best friends.
Flora & Ulysses Kate DiCamillo
A girl named Flora and a squirrel named Ulysses, whose life was saved by Flora after he was involved in an incident with a vacuum cleaner, team up to use Ulysses' superpowers to conquer villains and protect the weak.
Frindle Andrew Clements (or other books by Andrew Clements)
When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.
The One and Only Ivan Katherine Applegate
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy Jeanne Birdsall
While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume (or other books by Judy Blume)
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem.
The Wild Robot Peter Brown
Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is from or why she is there, and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.
Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big, ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society Betsy Byars
At the first annual meeting of WOOF--Words of Our Friends--assorted dogs preserve their heritage by sharing tales of canines throughout history, including Abu, who ruled all of Egypt except for one pesky cat, and Zippy, who simply must find the squeaky toy.
Fenway and Hattie Victoria J. Coe
Fenway is an excitable and endlessly energetic Jack Russell terrier. He lives in the city with Food Lady, Fetch Man, and--of course--his beloved short human and best-friend- in-the-world, Hattie. But when his family moves to the suburbs, Fenway faces a world of changes. Get a dog's eye view of the world in this heartwarming, enthusiastic "tail" about two best friends.
Flora & Ulysses Kate DiCamillo
A girl named Flora and a squirrel named Ulysses, whose life was saved by Flora after he was involved in an incident with a vacuum cleaner, team up to use Ulysses' superpowers to conquer villains and protect the weak.
Frindle Andrew Clements (or other books by Andrew Clements)
When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.
The One and Only Ivan Katherine Applegate
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy Jeanne Birdsall
While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume (or other books by Judy Blume)
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem.
The Wild Robot Peter Brown
Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is from or why she is there, and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.
The book summaries on this summer reading list are reproduced with the permission of Follett Library Resources, Inc. Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.