SUMMER READING
Rising 4th Graders
Mary G. Porter Traditional School
Fourth Grade Summer Reading Program
The purpose of the PWCS Summer Reading Program is to encourage students to
enjoy quality literature and to continue developing their independent reading skills.
Student participation in the program is voluntary. Students who choose to participate
in the program are required to complete a minimum number of readings over the
summer.
Students in Fourth Grade who participate will complete a list of books read. The
documentation is to include the name of the author, the title of the book, and a parent
or guardian statement that the student has completed the reading.
Fourth Grade students who participate in Prince William County Public Library's
Summer Reading Program, the Public Library documentation will apply. Students will
receive an extra “A” (100) for each book completed, for a maximum total of three.
The summer reading documentation will be submitted by the student by the end of
the second week of school.
Lexile Levels
To help in choosing books that can promote reading growth, this year each child’s 2014 English SOL
score will include a Lexile Level. The Lexile Level is based on a student’s SOL score on the English
portion of the SOL and approximates his/her reading level. This means a child should be able to read
and understand books in a Lexile range of approximately 100 points below to 50 points above the
designated score.
Knowing a child’s Lexile range can help to locate books that he/she might enjoy reading. Student
interest and motivation for reading books that are age appropriate are critical factors to consider as
book choices are made. Remember that nothing replaces conversation with the student, his teachers,
and librarians in making great choices.
It is important to note that the Lexile measure does not address the content or quality of the book.
Many other factors affect the relationship between a reader and a book, including its content, the age
and interests of the reader, and the design of the actual book. The Lexile measure is a good starting
point in the book-selection process, but parents should always consider these other factors when
making a decision about which book to choose.
SUMMER READING
Rising 4th Graders
Mary G. Porter Traditional School
Fiction
Read any books by these authors.
Adler, David
Read any books in the Cam Jansen Adventure series such as
Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown
Viking, 1983
Cam has a photographic memory that comes in handy for solving mysteries.
Balliett, Blue
Chasing Vermeer
2005
When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen and a precious Vermeer
painting disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve
an international art scandal. (Lexile 770)
Barry, Dave and
Ridley Pearson
Peter and the Starcatchers
Hyperion Books for Children, c2004.
In this imaginative prequel to Peter Pan, the adventure is nonstop. Peter and a
group of fellow orphans become involved in a plot to steal a mysterious star
substance that can make people fly.
Blume, Judy
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
E.P.Dutton, 1972
Peter finds his little brother to be a problem in this humorous story of family life.
Read the sequels Fudge-a-mania , Super Fudge and Double Fudge.
Cameron, Ann
Julian's Glorious Summer Random House, 1987
When his best friend, Gloria, receives a new bike, Julian spends the summer avoiding
her because of his fear of bikes.
Christopher, Matt
Centerfield Ballhawk
Little, Brown 1992
Baseball player Jose Mendez worries about his poor performance with the bat but
fears disappointing his father, a former ball player.
Cleary, Beverly
Runaway Ralph
Morrow Junior, 1970
Ralph, a mouse, runs away looking for freedom but winds up a prisoner at a summer
camp.
DiCamillo, Kate
The Tale of Despereaux
2003
The adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess
that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined
to bring them all to ruin. (Lexile 670)
Hoffman, Mary
Starring Grace
Phyllis Fogelman, 2000
Grace and her friends have all sorts of adventures during their summer vacation.
Kipling, Rudyard
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi adapted by Jerry Pinkey HarperCollins, 1997
A courageous mongoose thwarts the evil plans of two big cobras who live in the
garden.
4th grade Summer Reading List
Scieszka, Jon
page 2
Summer Reading is Killing Me!
Viking 1997
Joe, Sam, and Fred find themselves trapped inside their summer reading list, involved
in a battle between good and evil characters from well-known children's books. Read
any book in the The Time Warp Trio series.
Snicket, Lemony
Read any book in the Series of Unfortunate Events such as:
The Bad Beginning
HarperCollins, 1999
After receiving the news that their parents died in a fire, the three hapless orphans are
delivered into the care of the evil Count Olaf. Their story is both humorous and
horrible as the children go through one terrible ordeal after another.
Sobol, Donald J.
Encyclopedia Brown series. Read any in this mystery series such as:
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Sleeping Dog. Delacorte, 1998
Ten new cases for Encyclopedia Brown to solve.
Soto, Gary
The Skirt
Delacorte Press, 1992
When Miata leaves a special skirt on the school bus, she needs all her wits to get it
back without her parents' finding out. Good portrayal of life in a Mexican American
family.
Tripp, Valerie
Meet Felicity
Scholastic, 1991
American Girl series about a nine-year-old girl living in Williamsburg just before the
Revolutionary War. Read any books in this series.
Biography
Read any biography such as:
Davies, Jacqueline
The Boy Who Drew Birds: a Story of John James Audubon Houghton Mifflin, ‘04
Graceful mixed-media collages accompany this look at the youthful Audubon’s
passion for learning about birds. The story of his first experiences in America will
engage young scientists.
Nonfiction
Read any informational book such as:
Montgomery, Sy
The Tarantula Scientist
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
Clear, well-lit photos of hairy giant tarantulas in their habitat and the scientist at work
on the forest floor convey lively information and a compelling invitation to study
science in the field.
Poetry
Read any poetry collection such as:
Florian, Douglas
Summersaults
Greenwillow Books, c2002.
Celebrate summer with short, witty, poems illustrated with watercolor and pencil
paintings.
Prelutsky, Jack
Pizza the Size of the Sun Greenwillow, 1996
Collection of contemporary humorous poetry.
Viorst, Judith
If I Were In Charge of the World and Other Worries Atheneun, 1981
Humorous poetry.
Silverstein, Shel
Falling Up
HarperCollins, 1996
Outrageous poems by a favorite contemporary poet.