Incoming Fifth Grade Summer Reading List
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn
the more places you'll go.” ~Dr. Seuss
Students in 5th Grade will be required to read three books over the summer. There will be a
required project and a short Book Report that must be completed and will be due the first week
of school. We will have an in-school assignment for the third book.
Students should choose three books from the following list and complete the assignments for two
of those books. The list includes selections from the Common Core State Standards, Newberry
Award Winners, and Sunshine State Readers.
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Sounder – William H. Armstrong
The Chronicles of Narnia Series – CS Lewis
My Life with Chimpanzees – Jane Goodall
Number the Stars – Lois Lowry
Maniac Magee – Jerry Spinelli
Transall Saga – Gary Paulsen
Lemonade War – Jacqueline Davies
The Tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo
America’s Colonization and Settlement - Marcia Amidon
The Making of the United States From Thirteen Colonies Through Primary Sources –
John Miklos, Jr.
King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige - Wes Tooke
Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power - David Pogue, Antonio Caparo
Capture the Flag – Kate Messner
The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot - Caroline
Carlson, Dave Phillips
Stranded Series – Jeff Probst
N.E.R.D.S Series – Michael Buckley
Zoobreak Series – Gordon Korman
Sports Novels Series - Mike Lupica
“I Survived” Series - various authors
Project Choices
(Choose one project for one book)
1. Build a miniature stage (size of shoe box) setting of a scene in the book. Include a written
explanation of the scene to include characters, setting, plot and theme.
2. Create a board game based on the events and characters in the book. Your game must
include the following: a game board, a rule sheet, and clear directions, events and
characters from the story.
3. Create an IMOVIE using the Trailer Templates on the APP. The APP is $4.99 and can
be purchased through the ITUNES STORE. The Trailer should be created as an
adaptation of the book to a film.
4. Create either a Power Point or Key Note presentation that highlights the story elements of
their book. This should include characters, setting, theme, and plot. Students should
include graphics in their slides and the presentation must be at least ten slides.
5. Create a book cover as it would look as if YOU designed the cover. Please use a large
piece of construction paper or a small piece of poster board. Use any media (crayons,
markers, paint, colored pencils, etc…) Be sure to make the cover attractive to entice
someone to read the book. Model your cover after a traditional book cover to include the
following: inside cover – very short “teaser” about the book to attract the reader – inside
back cover – biographical information about the author – back of book cover – longer
summary of the book – at least two paragraphs.
Presentations
Power Points and Key Notes should be saved on a flash drive. Information about presenting
IMOVIE’s will be distributed within the first days of school.
Choose one book to complete the Book Report Form on the following page.
Please feel free to use loose leaf or type your Book Report using the above format.