St. Paul’s Catholic School
4th Grade Summer Reading List
June 2015: Summer
Reading
Dr. B’s 4th Grade
Three books should be
chosen from the attached
book selection list.
For each book, the attached
book outline must be
completed and returned on
the first day of school.
Students will be tested on
the chosen books
immediately returning to
school from summer break.
Students entering the 4th
Grade are expected to read
in a “just right” book for 25
–30 minutes a day.
Dear Parents,
Summer vacation is here! We hope that you make it a time to
REST, RELAX, READ, but above all ENJOY!
Reading, like a sport, involves practice and skill. Real skill
building occurs when children read for pleasure, when children
read “just right” books, that is, books that are not too hard and
not too easy, and when children can explore books about those
topics that interest them. The more they practice with someone’s
encouragement, suggestions and praise (just like in a sport), the
better and more confident readers they will become.
Here are some tips to encourage reading:
• Set aside a regular family reading and /or read aloud time.
• Read to your children, even the older ones.
• Recognize that your child’s own choice and interests are
important ingredients toward reading enjoyment.
• Let your child see you reading for pleasure.
• Don’t forget to pack a book wherever you go this summer.
• Encourage and help your child succeed with reading but do
not push or expect too much too soon.
• Participate in activities at the local library.
• Learn more about children’s books, from your child’s friends,
from the local library or from the given list.
Books I Might Like to Read:
Best wishes for a safe,
happy, reading funfilled summer from St.
Paul’s Catholic School!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The
more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” – Dr. Seuss
St. Paul’s Catholic School
4th Grade Summer Reading Activities & List
Choose any combination of assignments that adds up to 30 points.
The length of each writing piece listed is the minimum requirement.
10 points each
 Write a poem about your book. (16 lines)
 Draw and color a map of the setting. Locate the important landmarks of the
novel.
 Write an obituary for a character. (100 words)
 Make a crossword puzzle about the book. Include at least 15 clues and an answer
key.
15 points each
 Discuss the similarities and differences between the protagonist (main
character/hero) and yourself. (200 words)
 Write a prequel to the novel. (300 words)
 Write a five paragraph essay persuading your friend to read the book.
 Write a different ending for the novel. (300 words)
 Write and design a newspaper article about an event in the story. (300 words)
 Discuss whether or not the antagonist is effectively punished. (200 words)
20 points each
 Find two songs that relate to your book. Write out the lyrics to both songs.
Include a 100 word explanation of the relationship between each song and the
novel.
 Write a song for the novel. Record yourself performing it. Turn in the
recording and the lyrics.
 Create a 3-D piece of art that symbolizes an aspect of the book.
 Make a scrapbook for one of the characters. Include at least seven items and
a paragraph for each item explaining its significance.
 Recreate the main event of the story in play like format. Turn in a video of
yourself performing the play (costumes and props required)
Remember: The projects you turn in must add up to 30 points!
 You must do one project for each of your “selection” books.
 Do not complete a Summer Reading Project on the required text, Hatchet.
 After turning in your Summer Reading Projects; you MUST take the
corresponding Accelerated Reader within the first two weeks of school.
 The points you earn from the Summer Reading Projects and the Accelerated
Reader Quizzes will be your FIRST READING GRADES for the year.
Please choose three books from the following list:
Bridge to Terabithia
By Katherine Paterson
The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural
Virginia expands when he becomes friends
with a newcomer, who subsequently meets
an untimely death trying to reach their
hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.
Tales of 4th Grade Nothing
by Judy Blume
Life with his little brother, Fudge, makes
Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade
nothing. Whether Fudge is throwing a
temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing
mashed potatoes on the walls at Hamburger
Heaven, or trying to fly, he’s never far from
trouble. He’s an almost three-year-old terror
who gets away with everything, and Peter’s
had it up to here! When Fudge walks off
with Dribble, Peter’s pet turtle, it’s the last
straw. Peter has put up with Fudge for too
long. Way too long! How can he get his
parents to pay attention to him for a change?
Because of Winn Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
Because of Winn-Dixie, a big, ugly, happy
dog, 10-year-old Opal learns 10 things about
her long-gone mother from her preacher
father. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal makes
new friends among the somewhat unusual
residents of her new hometown.
Nim's Island
by Wendy Orr
Nim lives on the most beautiful island in the
world by its location is a closely guarded
secret with a marine iguana, a sea lion, and
her scientist dad, Jack. When he goes off to
explore the world of plankton, the child
occupies herself with typical Swiss Family
Robinson-like chores and keeping her dad's
batteries charged so she can check his e-mail
on the laptop computer.
Maniac Magee
by Jerry Spinelli
This is definitely a winner, about a boy who
has some amazing adventures and who meets
some very unusual people.
Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
This heartwarming tale revolves around an
11-year-old boy who finds an abused dog
near his West Virginia hills home.