The teachers at Barrow have been thinking about great books for summer reading. They put together a list, which I’ve included in these posts. These books are not required reading, instead the list shows favorite books that are recommended by teachers as great books to enjoy over the summer. Check some of them out at your public library.

Suggestions from Kindergarten Teachers
The Paper Boy by Dav Pilkey
Whistle For Willy by Ezra Jack Keats
May I Bring A Friend? by Beatrice DeRegniers
The Mitten, The Hat by Jan Brett
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

Suggestions from First Grade Teachers
Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells
What Game Shall We Play by Pat Hutchins
What will the Weather Be Like Today? by Paul Rogers
Stone Soup by Ann McGovern
Just Me and My Puppy by Mercer Mayer
Jillian Jiggs by P. Gilman
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
Junie B. Jones..Series by Barbara Park
Magic Schoool Bus Series by Joanna Cole
Superfudge by Judy Blume
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Two Under Par by Kevin Henkes
Gentle Ben by Walt Morey
Going Solo by Roald Dahl
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Honey I Love (poetry book) by Eloise Greenfield
The Chalk Box Kid (chapter book) by Clyde Robert Bulla

Suggestions from 2nd grade teachers
Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones by Judy Schachner
Charlie Cook’s Favorite Book by Julia Donaldson
Third Grade Detectives: The Clue of the Left Handed Envelope by George E. Stanley
Diary of a Wimpy Kid- The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watt

Suggestions from 3rd grade teachers
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingles Wilder
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (Battle of the Books selection)
The Report Card by Andrew Clements (Battle of the Books selection)
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary (Battle of the Books selection)

Suggestions by 4th grade teachers
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
A Long Way From Chicago: A Novel in Stories by Richard Peck
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going
The Christmas Rat by Avi (Battle of the Books selection)
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli (Battle of the Books selection)
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Battle of the Books selection)

Suggestions by 5th grade teachers
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Esperanza Rising by Pamela Munoz
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
And some recommended Authors:
Brian Jacques
Christopher Paul Curtis
Deborah Wiles
Gary Paulsen
Jean Craighead George
Katherine Paterson
Lois Lowry
Madeleine L’Engle
Mildred Taylor
Roald Dahl
Walter Dean Myers

I’ve been working with students on making plans for summer reading. We’ve talked about the kinds of books we want to read, when we will read, how long we will read, what we need to create a reading atmosphere, and what we’ll do to make sure we’re understanding & enjoying our books. I’ve started my stack of books to read this summer, and I can’t wait to get started.

Today, Kim James from the Athens Regional Library came to talk about the summer reading program, Be Creative @ Your Library. I encourage all of you to visit your public library over the summer for some great books and fun book activities.

Summer is quickly approaching.  So…what’s your summer reading plan? Leave a comment below and let us know books that you plan to read or any type of plan you have created for yourself to make sure you have a summer filled with reading.