Summer Reading Program

Realizing the importance of reading as a fundamental tool of learning, the faculty annually composes a list of books for students. All students entering grades 2-8 will be required to read the designated book or books listed on the following pages. By reading these required selections, students may keep academically fit just as those who hope to play sports keep physically fit by attending camps and maintaining a summer training program.

Click here to download the Summer Reading Information Letter or read below.

During the first month of school, students entering grades 2-4 will be assigned Accelerated Reader tests, as well as written work to evaluate their summer reading progress. These assignments will not be a graded activity, but will be used to assess comprehension and writing skills.

In order to help deal with the literary skills needed at grade levels 5-8, teachers have prepared study packets to assist the students. Students are to read the materials carefully and follow all instructions given. These study packets will be handed out to each student prior to the end of the school year. These materials will also be available on the school website and in the school office. Students must have their own copies of the books and completed packets when the works are discussed in class.

Books on the school’s Summer Reading Program list may be purchased from any of the local book stores or from another student. You may also check the local used bookstores.

St. Francis offers summer reading programs for grades 5-8 for those students who would like to
complete their summer reading in a small group setting with the assistance of a certified teacher. The
reading of the designated novel(s), review of the material, and completion of the study packet are
covered in this program. For more information, click here or call the school office at 388-7321.

Have a wonderful summer and enjoy your reading. The school office will be open, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday, all summer. If you have any questions concerning the reading material, please call 388-7321.

Students entering Grade 2 (Choose 1 from any listed series)

Students will be asked to complete a fill in the blank sheet stating the title, author, setting, 3 character names,
their favorite part, and then draw a picture.

• Amelia Bedelia Series – Peggy Parish
• Berenstain Bears Series – Stan & Jan Berenstain
• Frog and Toad Series – Arnold Lobel
• Henry and Mudge Series – Cynthia Rylant
• Nate the Great Series – Sharmat
• Magic Tree House Series – Mary Pope Osborne

Students entering Grade 3 (Choose at least 1 book)

Students will complete a book report in class, focusing on narrative elements, after a discussion in class of
each book.

• Aliens for Breakfast - Etra & Spinner
• Little House in the Big Woods – Wilder
• Losers – Spinelli
• Sarah Plain and Tall – MacLachlan
• The Chocolate Touch – Catling

PLUS students may pick from the following list in addition to the one above:

• Freckle Juice – Blume
• Cam Jansen Series – Alder

Students entering Grade 4 (Choose at least 1 book)
Students will write a paragraph to summarize a favorite character or favorite event and take an AR test on the
book during the first month of school.

• Frindle – Clements
• Mrs. Pigglewiggle – Mac Donald
• Cricket in Times Square – Seldon
• How to Eat Fried Worms – Rockwell
• Because of Winn Dixie – DiCamillo

PLUS students may pick from the following list in addition to the one above:

• Hour of the Olympic – Osborne
• Any book from the A – Z Mysteries by Ron Roy

Students entering Grade 5

Students will be required to complete the study packet on Hatchet and take an AR test upon return to school.

• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

THEN choose at least 1 of the following and take an AR test upon return to school:

• Shakespeare’s Secret – Elise Broach
• Words of Stone – Kevin Henkes
• Room One: A Mystery or Two – Andrew Clements
• Ella Enchanted – Gail Carson Levine
• Rabbit Hill - Robert Lawson
• Chasing Vermeer - Blue Balliett
• Dragon Rider – Cornelia Funke
• Rules – Cynthia Lord
• Shiloh - Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
• Beardance - Will Hobbs

Students entering Grade 6
Students will be required to complete the study packet on Maniac Magee and take an AR test upon return to
school.

• Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

THEN choose at least 1 of the following and take an AR test upon return to school:

• Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Paterson
• Crispin: The Cross of Lead – Avi
• Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer
• The Teacher’s Funeral – Richard Peck
• Picture of Hollis Woods – Reilly Giff
• Surviving the Applewhites – Stephanie Tolan
• Over Sea and Under Stone – Susan Cooper
• Chasing Redbird – Sharon Creech
• An Acquaintance with Darkness – Ann Rinaldi
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond –Elizabeth George Speare
• Bud, Not Buddy – Christopher Paul Curtis
• The Thief Lord –Cornelia Funke

Students entering Grade 7
Students will be required to complete the study packet on The Children… and take an AR test upon return to
school.

• *The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport– Mona Golabeck and Lee Cohen

THEN choose at least 1 of the following and take an AR test upon return to school:

• Ask Me No Questions – Budhos
• Give Me Liberty – Elliot
• Samurai Shortstop – Gratz
• A Heart Divided – Bennett
• Crossing the Wire – Hobbs
• Guys Write for Guys Read – Scieszka
• Red Kayak – Cummings
• Leyla The Black Tulip – Croutier
• The Boy in Striped Pajamas - Boyne

Students entering Grade 8
Students will be required to complete the study packet on Jacob Have I Loved and take an AR test upon
return to school.

• Jacob Have I Loved – Katherine Paterson

THEN choose at least 2 of the following and take an AR test upon return to school:

• A Friend Called Anne – Van Maarsen
• Bloody Jack – Meyer
• Buffalo Soldiers and the American West – Glaser
• Code Talker - Bruchac
• Counting on Grace – Winthrop
• Girl in Blue – Rinaldi
• Hattie Big Sky – Larson
• Monkey Town - Kidd
• Private Peaceful - Morpurgo
• Search and Destroy – Hughes
• Weedflower – Kadohata

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