Fourth Grade Summer Reading Program
Kerrydale ES
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 Grades 4 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. For Grade 4
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 total of three. Completion
of the summer reading will be recorded for students 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 2009 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.
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Rising Fourth Grade Summer Reading Program 2014
These books are recommended as a starting point for your summer reading. Choose books you are
interested in reading. Summer is a good time to be challenged and to read something unusual or different.
Revisit an old favorite and read it with a new perspective. This list is a variety of books; you may wish to
look at the 3rd or 5th grade lists for more options.
Blume, Judy. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. 1972. Lexile: 470. Peter Hatcher has a terrible
problem ---his 2 year old little brother.
Korman, Gordon. Chasing the Falconers. 2005. Lexile: 680. Aidan and Meg Falconer are their
parents' only hope. The Falconers are facing life in prison -- unless Aidan and Meg can follow a trail of
clues to prove their innocence.
Beaty, Andrea. [Secrets of] Cicada Summer (VRC 2013). 2010. Lexile: 840. Lily has quit speaking
after a terrible accident, which leads others to believe she is brain-damaged. In her silence she sees
everything, and when sly newcomer Tinny comes to town, Lily suddenly has a lot to talk about.
Biedrzycki, David. Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective. 2005. Lexile: 560. Aided by his friends, Ace
Lacewing, Bug Detective, sets out on the trail of kidnappers who took Queenie Bee. Two other Ace
Lacewing titles are also recommended.
Chin, Jason. Redwoods. 2009. Lexile: 1100. While reading a book about redwood trees on the
subway, a young boy travels as he learns, all the way to the forests of California.
Funke, Cornelia. Dragon Rider. 2010. Lexile: 710. Firedrake is joined on his quest to save his home
by a brownie and an orphan. They encounter many creatures along the way and struggle to evade a
relentless enemy.
George, Jessica Day. Tuesdays at the Castle. 2011. When Princess Celie's parents, the King and
Queen, are taken captive she must use her knowledge of the Castle Glower to save the kingdom.
Greenfield, Eloise. The Great Migration: Journey to the North. 2011. Lexile: 730. A poetic
description of the hopes and fears of African American families facing the decision to move North in the
early 20th century.
Hunter, Erin. The Quest Begins. 2008. Lexile: 840. Three young bears of different species--one
black, one polar, and one grizzly--travel on a perilous quest to the Northern Lights, escorting a shapeshifting grizzly cub whose destiny will affect them all.
Hunter, Nick. The 2012 London Olympics. 2012. An overview of the London Olympics from the
nomination, to venues, athletes, and sports of this summer's games. Four other titles are in "The
Olympics" series.
Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. 2009. Lexile: 820. Minli, an adventurous girl from
a poor village, buys a magical goldfish, and then joins a dragon on a quest to find the Old Man of the
Moon.
Malaspina, Ann. Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper. 2012. Lexile: 1000. A
biography of the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, from her childhood in Albany,
Georgia through her recognition at the 1966 Olympics.
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McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody. 2000. Lexile: 530. Judy Moody is in a bad mood the first day
of third grade, until she gets a project to create a collage about herself.
Nelson, Vaunda Michaux. Bad News for Outlaws (VRC 2013). 2009. Lexile: 860. The
biography of Bass Reeves, a former slave who was recruited as a deputy United States marshal
in the territory of the future-Oklahoma.
O'Connor, Barbara. The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester (VRC 2013). 2010. Lexile: 770.
After Owen captures an enormous frog and then releases it, he and two friends try to use a
small submarine to search for it in the pond, while avoiding nosy neighbor Viola.
Park, Barbara. Skinnybones. 1982. Lexile: 590. Alex's sense of humor helps him get along
with the school braggart, make the most of his athletic talents and simply get by in the world.
Rex, Adam. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. 2006. Poems about the bad habits, anxieties
and fears of monsters.
Riordan, Rick. The Maze of Bones. 2008. Lexile: 610. Grace Cahill died and left her
decedents with an impossible decision: One million dollars or a clue. (1st of series)
Slonim, David. He Came with the Couch. 2005. When a family acquires a new couch, they
discover that something else comes along with it, and they gain a new friend in the process.
Smith, Elwood. Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog. 2010. Lexile: 930. Explores
the history of the hot dog and how it came to become a part of American culture.
St. George, Judith. The Ghost, the White House, and Me. 2007. Lexile: 800. What if your
mom was president? KayKay Granger and her sister, Annie, have just moved into the White
House after their mom's inauguration, and soon find out that it's not exactly as fun as it sounds.
Stanchak, John. Civil War. 2000. Examines many aspects of the Civil War, including slavery,
secession, the raising of armies, individual battles, the commanders, Northern life, Confederate
culture, the surrender of the South, and the aftermath.
Stilton, Geronimo. Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery. 2007. Lexile: 810. Geronimo is
assigned to a story about the Olympics in Greece and finds himself in another mysterious
adventure. Geronimo Stilton Saves the Olympics will be released in June.
Stott, Carole. Stars and Planets. 2011. 1000. Information about the moon, planets, stars,
astronauts with discussions on space travel, living in space, and robot explorers on Mars.
Woodson, Jacqueline. Show Way. 2005. Lexile: 720. A mother passes on the tradition of
making quilts, or "Show ways," that serve as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves.
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(VRC 2013) are books nominated for the Virginia Readers’ Choice Award. Students may read
these books during the year and will vote in March for their favorite. Other nominees include:
Buyea, Rob. Because of Mr. Terupt
Cronin, Doreen. Trouble with Chickens
Lord, Cynthia. Touch Blue
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Emily's Fortune
Patterson, Nancy Ruth. Ellie Ever
Singer, Marilyn. Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
Wright, Eric. Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom
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Prince William County Public Schools
Summer Reading 2014
Documentation Grade 4
Students in Grade 4 will receive an A (100) for each book completed, for a total of
three. Please include the name of the author, the title of the book, and a parent or
guardian signature stating that the student has completed the reading.
Book Title
Author
1.
2.
3.
My student has read the above list of books.
Parent or Guardian signature
**Please note students may also participate in the Prince William County Public Library
Summer Quest Program, and the Public Library documentation will apply.
Student’s Name
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Classroom Teacher
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