RISING 8TH GRADERS
Group: ESL
ENGLISH READING LIST
AND ASSIGNMENT
SUMMER 2015
GUIDELINES:
Please follow the reading assignment on the attached sheet. The purpose of summer reading is to
help your child maintain his skills in vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing. It is also for newly
arrived students not to forget their newly acquired English language skills and to have a continuity of
English throughout the summer vacation. We are asking for your help and support in making sure that
your child does the work that is expected of him/her over the course of the summer break.
Students will be asked to show the work completed on the first day of class in September.
We sincerely hope that every student will make reading in English a big part of his/her summer vacation.
We believe that consistent reading in English is a key factor in every student’s language acquisition and
progress. Please encourage your child to read as much as he can. .
Thank you for your cooperation. We wish you all a wonderful summer vacation
Sincerely,
Your English Teachers at the Mamaroneck Campus
FASNY 2015 Summer Reading Lists
Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad, ISBN-13: 978-0590462068
Pedro de Salcedo, a young Spanish boy, has the opportunity of a lifetime. He gets to be ship’s
cabin boy on the Santa Maria in 1492. He sets sail with Christopher Columbus on his first voyage
to the New World. It sounds exciting, but why is Pedro so apprehensive? The fear of the
unknown and his homesickness overshadow the thrill of being a part of this great adventure.
Pedro was selected to go on this historic voyage because he could read and write. He is asked to
keep a journal for the Captain, who is none other than Christopher Columbus himself. Pedro’s
journal spans the six month journey to the New World from beginning to end.
This biographical/historical fiction novel is completely written in journal format beginning on
August 13, 1492 and culminating on February 14, 1493. The author’s vivid description allows the
reader to feel like he/she is on board the ship. Pedro is a character with whom the reader can
identify as he/she witnesses this historic journey through his eyes.
The week of September 7, you will be expected to hand in your notebook with your journal
responses, vocabulary log and summaries of the books you wrote.
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FASNY 2015 Summer Reading Lists
A Reading Guide for Parents of ESL Students
The purpose of this brief guide is to familiarize parents of students who are placed in ESL classes
at the middle school level with books and materials that newly arrived students with little or no
English background can read to help develop their English language skills. Many of the books listed
on the guide are elementary school level books that are read by native speakers of English. These
books serve the needs of the new language learner well with simple, easy to read materials based
on themes of high interest. Please note that this list is by no means complete and “ever evolving”.
The list has recommendations ranging from a rank beginner, launched beginner to High ESL
students. Parents should use their discretion and choose the books that appeal to their children.
More importantly reading in a new language should be fun and enjoyable.
*Suitable Reading Series for Beginner or High Beginner ESL Students
1. “Step into Reading” Books by Random House Publishers
Step 1 thru Step 5 – Encourages independent reading in English by
Developing basic vocabulary, short sentences, simple stories to longer
paragraphs and chapters. This series has several non-fiction titles as well
that includes learning about U.S. history, why we celebrate certain
holidays, historical figures, presidents as well as other topics of interest
to children. Good series for reluctant readers as well.
2. “Magic Tree House” Series by Mary Osborne.
Stories of Adventures of Jack and Annie
3. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Series by Jeff Kinney
Illustrated cartoon style popular with middle school kids
4. “Classic Starts” Series
5. “Penguin Readers” Series
6. “Capital Mysteries” Series
7. “Scholastic” Several series for young readers
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FASNY 2015 Summer Reading Lists
8. “Harry Potter” Series
9. “Comic” Books Series
10. 39 Clues series
11. “The Hunger Games” Trilogy
*Award Winner Books
There are several books for children with particular book awards such as Newbery Award
(for children’s literature), Caldecott Award (for exceptional illustrations), Coretta Scott King (for
African American emphasis) and Parents’ Choice Awards. These books often make excellent
reading choices for our English language learners.
*Popular Magazines
1. Scholastic News, Time for Kids, and Weekly Reader (published weekly)
2. Skipping Stones – an award winning multicultural children’s magazine
*Books with Audio CDs
Several books for children come in large hard cover style that include an audio CD for
listening to the stories as the children read along with them. These books help the English
language learner by developing their listening comprehension in English. Several of these are
meant for younger age groups for native speakers but are enjoyed very much by the young
middle grade ESL student.
*Other notes on authors
Many books for native speakers who are at the mid to upper elementary school level are
suitable for the middle grade ESL student who is a launched beginner. Choosing books from the
following “popular” authors for this age group (again ages 7-12 for native speaker’s language
level) is fine. Some of these authors are:
Gary Paulsen, Beverly Cleary, Avi, Judy Blume, R.L.Stine, J.K.Rowling, Andrew Clements, Ramona
Quimby, Roald Dahl, E.B.White and C.S.Lewis
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FASNY 2015 Summer Reading Lists
SUMMER READING FOR ESL STUDENTS
*Some popular titles for High Beginner – High ESL level student
1. “Stone Fox” by J. Gardiner
2. “Dogsong” by Gary Paulsen
3. “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S.Lewis
4. “Something Upstairs” by Avi
5. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S.Lewis
6. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B.White
7. “Stuart Little” by E.B.White
8. “Tuck Everlasting” by Babbit
9. “Bridge to Terabithia” by Paterson
10. “Fly Away Home” by Patricia Hermes
11. “The Magic Finger” by Roald Dahl
12. “Sarah, Plain and Tall”
13. “Island of the Blue Dolphins”
14. “The Sword Thief” book one of the 39 Clues series
15. (A graphic novel) “The Mystery Boxes” by Kazu Kibuishi
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