Peachtree Academy
SUMMER READING 2014
For Rising KINDERGARTEN Students
Summer provides many opportunities for parents and young children to enjoy unforgettable books together. We
would like for all of our families to provide reading opportunities for their children during the summer. Here is
a list of books to help you get started. Choose a few to share with your child. Enjoy!
Read Alouds
Aylesworth: Naughty Little Monkeys c2003 alphabet
Twenty-six monkeys get into mischief when their parents go out for the evening in this rhyming
alphabet book.
Ehlert: Pie in the Sky c2004 family fiction
As a father and his child view the cherry tree in their back yard, they refer to it as a pie tree.
Includes a recipe.
Kimmel: The Gingerbread Man c1993 fairy tale
This familiar fairy tale features a gingerbread man who runs away from the woman who bakes
him and meets other animals along the way, including a clever fox.
Pfister: Rainbow Fish animal stories
The most beautiful fish in the ocean with the shimmering silver
scales discovers the beauty of sharing.
Rosen: We're Going on a Bear Hunt c2003 animals, fiction
Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud and other obstacles before the inevitable
encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat.
Rosenthal: Duck! Rabbit! c2009 animals
Two unseen characters argue about whether the creature they are looking at is a rabbit or a duck.
Sierra: Counting Crocodiles c1997 counting, rhyming
A monkey outsmarts ten crocodiles that stand between her and a banana tree by using her ability
to count.
Sierra: Wild About Books c2004 animals, humor
A librarian accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo and subsequently reads a Dr. Seuss book
to the animals.
Taback: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat c1999 diversity
Joseph starts out with an overcoat and ends with a button.
Thompson: Little Quack c2003 animals
Mama Duck encourages her four ducklings to leave the nest. The youngest and smallest, Little
Quack, proves to be the most reluctant.
Wood: Alphabet Adventure c2001 alphabet
The letters of the alphabet join the search to help "i" find her dot in order to continue their
journey in this colorful alphabet book.
Wood:The Napping House c1984 sleep, fiction
While a number of creatures sleep, a flea causes a commotion among them with just one bite.
For Rising FIRST GRADE Students
Book Report #1 - Sandwich Book Report
Each upcoming first grader is to pick one book from the following list and complete the assigned sandwich book report.
100 Days of School
Caps for Sale
Cat in the Hat
Corduroy
Curious George
Fancy Nancy
Flat Stanley
The Gingerbread Man
Green Eggs and Ham
Henry and Mudge
Kissing Hand
Morris Goes to School
Owl Moon
Rainbow Fish
Snowy Day
The Hungry Caterpillar
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
Library Mouse
Duck for President
You are to create a sandwich with the following items. Be creative! You can create a mobile, use foam, poster board,
etc…
1. Top slice of bread, - write the title and the author’s name.
2. Onion – Setting – describe when and where the story takes place.
3. Lettuce – Main Characters – tell who the story is about.
4. Tomato – Plot – describe the main events and actions in the story.
5. Cheese – Conclusion – tell about the ending.
6. Meat – Favorite Part – describe your favorite part of the book.
7. Bottom slice of bread – write your name and date. Draw a picture of your
favorite part.
Book Report #2 – The Giving Tree
Each upcoming first grader is to read The Giving Tree. There will be activities and assignments designed around this
book during the first week of school.
For Rising SECOND GRADE Students
All 2nd grade students are required to read Sarah, Plain and Tall. We will discuss and
complete activities with this book the first week of school.
All upcoming 2nd graders need to choose one book from the list below to read and complete a
project on it. Please choose one of the following projects to do for the book your child
chooses. This project needs to be brought to class the first day of school.
Choice 1: Cereal Box
See attached instructions.
Choice 2: Book Cover
The student will create a book cover about his/her favorite part of the book. The cover needs
to have the book title and author on it. It must have a picture and it must be colored. The
picture must be original and not copied from the any current cover. The student will then
write a brief description on the back about what happened and why it is his/her favorite part
of the book.
Book List
A to Z Mysteries Series (Roy)
Chalk Box Kid (Bulla)
Magic Tree House Series (Osborne)
Frog and Toad Series (Lobel)
The Boxcar Children Series (Warner)
The Courage of Sarah Noble (Dalgliesh)
Cam Jansen Series (Adler)
Judy Moody and Stink Series (McDonald)
Nate the Great Series (Sharmat)
Amber Brown Series (Danzinger)
Magic School Bus (Chapter books and Picture Books)
For Rising Third Grade Students
All 3rd grade students are required to read The Mouse and the Motorcycle. We will discuss
and do some activities with this book the first week of school.
All upcoming 3rd graders need to choose one book from the list below to read and complete a
project on it. Please choose one of the following projects to do for the book your child
chooses. This project needs to be brought to class the first day of school.
Diorama
Choose a scene from the book and create a 3-D representation of that scene. Make it creative
and colorful. Set the diorama up in a shoe box type box. You may cut out pictures from a
magazine, draw your own, use real objects, etc. The sky is the limit, but be creative and use
color. Also, I am looking for neatness. Be sure to include your name, the title of your book,
and the author.
Baseball card
Choose one of the main characters and make a baseball card. On one side, draw a picture of
the character. On the back side, include information you learned about your character. You
can include age, hair color, likes, dislikes interests, etc. Again, be colorful, creative, and neat.
Make it on regular size paper. Be sure to include your name, book title, and author.
Choose 1 of your choice
“Jake Drake” series (Clements)
“Clementine” series (Pennypacker)
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Superfudge, or any other Judy Blume book
Any Beverly Cleary book
“Magic Treehouse” series (Osbourne)
Nonfiction” Magic Treehouse” companions
The Chocolate Touch (Patrick Skene Catling)
The Great Gilly Hopkins (Katherine Paterson)
The Hundred Dresses (Eleanor Estes)
Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
James and the Giant Peach (Roald Dahl)
“I Survived” series (Lauren Tarhis)
“Who Was” or Who Is” series
For Rising FOURTH GRADE Students
** Required Novel: Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White**
Each incoming 4th grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the list below
and writing a book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can be found at the end of
the grade level book lists. All incoming 4th grade students are also responsible for reading the
required novel for their grade. This novel will be discussed at length and in detail during the
first month of school.
Fourth grade summer reading entails two reading tasks. The first task is to select ONE book from the in-class
project list and note the elements listed; the other task is to select ONE book from the “Book in a Bag” list and
follow the attached instructions in creating a “Book in a Bag.”
In-Class Reading Project: Please select one book from the below list and note the elements of character, plot
(sequence of events), setting, and theme (moral or lesson learned) as you read. A project will be assigned the
first day of school that will reflect the book you read; this project will be given a due date when the school year
begins.
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very
Interesting Boy, Jeanne Birdsall, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.7
Holes, Lois Sachar, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.6
The BFG, Roald Dahl, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.8
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary, Candace Fleming
Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.9
The Trumpet of the Swan, E. B. White Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.9
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Carl Bowen, Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.0
“Book in a Bag” Summer Book Project: Please select one book from the below list and complete the “Book
in a Bag” project using the guidelines attached. Please be prepared to present your “Book in a Bag” on the first
day of school.
Beezus and Ramona, Beverly Cleary, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.8
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume, Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.3
When Zachary Beaver Came To Town, Kimberly Willis Holt, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.5
The Indian in the Cupboard, Lynne Reid Banks, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.7
4th Grade Rats, Jerry Spinelli, Accelerated Reader Book Level 2.6
Fourth and Fifth Grade
“Book in a Bag” Project
1. On one side of a paper bag, draw a colorful scene from the book. Also include:
a. The title of the book
b. The author
c. Your name
2. On the back of the bag, please write:
a. Main Characters- Include all of the main characters
b. Supporting Characters- Include any other characters that may have been
in the story but were not main characters.
c. Setting - Include the places and the time periods your story took place.
d. Conflicts - Include the main problem within the story (4-5 sentences).
e. Resolutions - How does the story end (4-5 sentences)?
3. Inside the bag, place at least six objects that represent significant events that happened in
the book. You could also place objects that show aspects of the main characters’
personalities.
4. You will be asked to present your “Book in a Bag” project on the first day of school. You
will also be required to tell the class about each item in your bag and why you chose this item.
Happy reading!
For Rising FIFTH GRADE Students
** Required Novel: Old Yeller by Robert Stevenson**
Each incoming 5th grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the list below
and writing on book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can be found at the end of
the grade level book lists. All incoming 5th grade students are also responsible for reading the
required novel for their grade. This novel will be discussed at length and in detail during the
first month of school.
Fifth grade summer reading entails two reading tasks. The first task is to select ONE book from the in-class
project list and note the elements listed; the other task is to select ONE book from the “Book in a Bag” list and
follow the attached instructions in creating a “Book in a Bag.”
In-Class Reading Project: Please select one book from the below list and note the elements of character, plot
(sequence of events), setting, and theme (moral or lesson learned) as you read. A project will be assigned the
first day of school that will reflect the book you read; this project will be given a due date when the school year
begins.
The Homework Machine, Dan Gutman, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.8
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, Jeanne Birdsall, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.6
Midnight Magic, Avi, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.7
Old Yeller, Fred Gipson, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.0
The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster, Accelerated Reader Book Level 6.7
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, Robert C. O'Brien, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.1
“Book in a Bag” Summer Book Project: Please select one book from the below list and complete the “Book
in a Bag” project using the guidelines attached. Please be prepared to present your “Book in a Bag” on the first
day of school.
Elephant Run, Roland Smith, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.0
Hatchet, Gary Paulsen, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.7
Island of the Blue Dolphin, Scott O’Dell, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.4
Fifth Grade: Here Comes Trouble, Colleen O’Shaughnessy McKenna, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.4
Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.9
Report to the Principal’s Office, Jerry Spinelli, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.5
Wind in the Willows (abridged) , Kenneth Graham, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.9
For Rising SIXTH GRADE Students
Sixth Grade Book List and Instructions
** Required Novel: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan **
Each incoming 6th grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the
list below and writing on book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can
be found at the end of the grade level book lists. All incoming 6th grade students are
also responsible for reading the required novel for their grade. This novel will be
discussed at length and in detail during the first month of school.
Book Title
The Swiss Family Robinson
A Wrinkle in Time
Hatchet
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Stargirl
A Year Down Yonder
Rules
White Fang
The Giver
Tuck Everlasting
The Black Stallion
Holes
Author Name
Johann Wyss
Madeline L’Engle
Gary Paulsen
Scott O’Dell
Jerry Spinelli
Richard Peck
Cynthia Lord
Jack London
Lois Lowry
Natalie Babbitt
Walter Farley
Louis Sachar
For Rising SEVENTH GRADE Students
Seventh Grade Book List and Instructions
** Required Novel: A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck **
Each incoming 7th grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the
list below and writing on book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can
be found at the end of the grade level book lists. All incoming 6th grade students are
also responsible for reading the required novel for their grade. This novel will be
discussed at length and in detail during the first month of school.
Book Title
Kidnapped
Call of the Wild
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Bridge to Terabithia
Author Name
Robert Louis Stevenson
Jack London
Jules Verne
Katherine Patterson
The Diary of a Young Girl
Pictures of Hollis Woods
Hoot
Catherine, Called Birdy
Anne of Green Gables
Anne Frank
Patricia Giff
Carl Hiaasen
Karen Cushman
L.M. Montgomery
Out of the Dust
Invincible Louisa
Karen Hesse
Cornelia Miegs
Summer Reading Book Review Instructions
6th and 7th Grade
Students in 6th and 7th grade will read one book of their choice from the grade level list and
write a book review according to the guidelines as follows:
 All book reviews must be typed: prepared in 12 point font either Times New Roman or
Calibri, with double line spacing, 1inch margins, and printed in black type on white
paper.
 Please adhere to grammar and spelling rules.
The book review will be a minimum of three paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a strong
topic sentence, five to seven supporting sentences and a concluding/transitional sentence.
 Paragraph 1: Introduce the book. Give title, author, genre, and a brief summary of the
novel.
 Paragraph 2: Discuss the book’s theme (remember that the main idea is what the book
about; theme pertains to larger meanings and life lessons)
 Paragraph 3: Discuss something that really stood out about this book and why. Did you
connect with a character or relate to a similar situation? Would you recommend this book
to a friend? Why or why not? Remember that you are acting as a literary critic, so be
specific.
Students should be prepared to turn in their book reviews to their English teacher during
the first week of school.
For Rising EIGHTH GRADE Students
Eighth Grade Book List and Instructions
** Required Novel: Having Our Say, The Delaney Sisters **
Each incoming 8th grader is responsible for reading one book of choice from the
list below, and writing one five paragraph essay. Specific guidelines for the essay
can be found at the end of the grade level book lists. All incoming 8th grade students
are also responsible for reading the required novel for their grade. This novel will
be discussed at length and in detail during the first month of school.
Book Title
Little Women
Cold Sassy Tree
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Hiding Place
Author Name
Louisa May Alcott
Olive Ann Burns
Robert Louis Stevenson
Corrie Ten Boom
My Antonia
The Old Man and the Sea
Christy
Flowers for Algernon
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Willa Cather
Ernest Hemingway
Catherine Marshall
Daniel Keyes
Mark Twain
Crash
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Outsiders
Jerry Spinelli
Jules Verne
S. E. Hinton
For Rising 9th – 12th GRADE Students
All incoming students are responsible for reading one book of choice from the list
below, and writing one five paragraph essay according to the instructions listed
below. The required grade level novel will be discussed at length and in detail
during the first month of school.
9th Grade Required Novel: Night by Elie Weisel
10th Grade Required Novel: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
11th Grade Required Novel: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
12th Grade Required Novel: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kessy
Book Essay Instructions
8th – 12th Grade
Students in 8th - 12th grades will read one book of their choice from the grade list and will write
an essay according to the guidelines as follows:
Minimum Requirements: The essay will be a minimum of 4 paragraphs. Each paragraph is
required to have a strong topic or thesis sentence, 5-7 supporting sentences, and a conclusion
or transition sentence.
 Paragraph 1 should follow the guidelines above and contain a summary of the entire
novel.
 Paragraph 2 should follow the guidelines above and describe one character from the
novel in detail. The details should include a physical description, conflicts encountered
in the book, and growth or change in the character through the book.
 Paragraph 3 should follow the guidelines above and will concentrate on outlining,
describing, and discussing one theme presented in the book. Discuss how the theme is
developed and the author’s message regarding this theme.
 Paragraph 4 should follow the guidelines above and should be a personal reflection by
the student about the book. What did you like or dislike about the book? How did the
book affect you as a reader? Etc.
Students should be prepared to turn in their essays during the first week of school.
Book Title
Author Name
Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens
Dust Tracks on the Road
Zora Neale Hurston
The Pilgrims Progress
John Bunyan
The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd
Ben Hur
Lew Wallace
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Betty Smith
Lord of the Flies
William Golding
Mississippi Trial, 1955
Chris Crowe
The Pearl
John Steinbeck
The Joy Luck Club
Amy Tan
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Ken Kesey
Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury
Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe
Shindler’s List
Thomas Keneally
In His Steps
Charles Sheldon
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemmingway
Member of the Wedding
Carson McCullers
Speak
Lori Halse Anderson
A Time to Kill
John Grisham
The Awakening
Kate Chopin
Dr. Zhivago
Boris Pasternak
Animal Farm
George Orwell
In the Time of Butterflies
Julia Alvarez
Ivanhoe
Sir Walter Scott
Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes
Pygmalion
George Bernard Shaw
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner