In Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn, we meet 11 year old Cat who has taken over the care of her younger brother, Chicken, who has some special needs, to support their hard working mother ever since their father died. And though Cat is pretty sure that nobody understands Chicken like she does, even she needs a break to just be a kid. That is what summer is supposed to bring, but this summer her mother's new job means they won't have a vacation with old friends Cat was looking forward too. Instead the kids will live for awhile with their mother's parents who they do not really know. Yet surprisingly, Cat and Chicken find themselves enchanted with Gingerbread Island, North Carolina and the house that their mother grew up in, learning about the beach, shells, small town life and fishing. As Cat slowly begins to get to know and trust her grandparents, she sets out to solve the mystery of why they have not been in her mother's life for so long. Grades 4 and 5. Realistic fiction Planet Omar, Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian. Meet Omar, a British Pakastani 3rd grader who has just moved to a new house and new school. Though Omar's great imagination helps him cope with his anxiety about the new school, the real friend he makes helps more. He and Charlie have a good time together, he likes his teacher and loves learning more about his Muslim faith at home. So all would be great except for Daniel, the class bully. Daniel not only makes Charlie miserable, he has started in on Omar and included some anti-Muslim comments, Omar must use his wits, humor and good values to persevere. Full of doodles from Omar's imagination, this book is a fun way to look at some real problems. Grades 2-4 Notorious by Korman. Twelve year old Keenan is a world traveler because his mother teaches in international schools all over the World. But this summer he is stuck recovering from tuberculosis on sleepy Centerlight Island (which is 1/2 in Canada, and 1/2 in the US) with his dad a Canadian border patrol agent. He befriends an odd Canadian girl named Zarabeth, or ZeeBee, who is convinced and obsessed with an old rumor that Prohibition-era gangsters buried treasure somewhere on the island. ZeeBee also suspects that her beloved deceased dog, Barney, a humongous mutt who terrorized the whole town, was actually murdered. Will Keenan help Zeebee find the truth about her dog and maybe the gangsters too? Realistic fiction with some great history mixed in. Grades 3-5. What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado. Mixed-race sixth-grader Stephen loves comic books, and spending time in New York City with his friends Dan and Wes. But when Dan’s contentious and perhaps racist cousin Chad moves nearby and joins their group, his attitude causes Stephen to notice that other people, including the police, also treat him differently than they treat Dan, who is white. As Stephen discusses his feelings with his African American father, and learns about the Black Lives Matter movement he realizes that race does affect people’s perceptions of him, and begins to be unsure of "which lane" he belongs in. Will he need to choose his black friends who "get" him over his white friends, even while he truly wants to fit in everywhere. Grades 4 -6. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson. Ryan's family is moving to an older and smaller house in Portland, OR, because her dad lost his job and the new one will bring them less money. But Ryan and her family are close and determined to rise to each challenge. She still has her best friends, her love of cooking and fun but often annoying, teasing older brother. We enjoy meeting each member of this irrepressible family throughout one school year, meeting her public speaking challenges and even some issues related to the fact that Ryan is African American, all faced with courage and honesty. An enjoyable realistic read. Grades 3-5.
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And here are some more excellent titles from my summer reading: Indian No More by Charlene McManis is historical fiction that takes place in the 1954 when an Umpqua Indian family moves from the Grand Ronde reservation in Oregon to a house in Los Angeles, California. On the reservation, the family, Regina who is in 5th grade, her younger sister, parents and grandmother, lived a peaceful and good life with many relatives all around, land to explore and a rich culture to share and enjoy. But when the U.S. Government declares that their tribe is to be terminated, they move to a small house in Los Angeles to begin a new life "off the rez". Regina and her family desperately miss their old life as they try to adjust to the small cramped house with no land and no relatives nearby. But there are kids in their new multi-cultural neighborhood, African American, and Cuban, even as they the often sad and hurtful ignorance and bias about Native Americans. Enjoy this strong family as they struggle to maintain their heritage in their very different new life. Grades 4th and up. In The Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers by Pseudonymous Bosch, meet Oliver who loves magic but is not yet very good at it. He is also the only boy in his 3rd grade class not invited to Maddox's incredible birthday party, the richest kid in their school. Oliver says he doesn't mind, but his two best friends, Teenie and Bea have other ideas. They get him a "gig" at the party - a magic show and he is determined to do the most amazing trick. With the help of a new magician's hat and the surprise rabbit that is inside he might pull it off. That is, until one of Maddox's present's disappears and Oliver, Teenie, Bea and the rabbit decide to figure out who took it. Part mystery, part fantasy, and all fun! Grades 2 and up. Some Places More than Others by Renee Watson. Amara loves basketball, and especially the Portland Trailblazers, growing up in Portland with a dad who works for Nike. While she is close to her mother's family, she has had little contact with her father's family, who live in New York City. When her dad has a work trip to New York City with the chance to go to the All-Star Game at Madison Square Gardens, Amara asks to go with. She wants to stay with her grandfather while her dad is working and get to know him and her cousins. She knows her father has not been close to his dad in many years and is determined to find out why and bring them back together. Amara's trip turns out to be far more eye opening and important as she learns from her grandfather more about her proud African American heritage, their Harlem roots as well as her family story. A great journey. Grades 4 and up. Voyage of the Dogs by Greg Van Eekhout is a space adventure for anyone who loves science fiction and dogs! In this future world dogs have achieved an almost human intelligence and ability to communicate with humans and each other. As a result they are now helping with the space program. Four special "barkonauts" are chosen to travel with a human crew of astronauts to populate a new planet, when the human capsule is lost in space. The dogs, the golden retriever, Champion; the corgi, Bug; the Great Dane, Daisy; and the mutt, Lopside are left to survive alone, with dwindling resources, trying to land their ship, when they discover that one human might still be alive. Narrated by Lopside, this is an incredible and intelligent space adventure that will keep you turning pages! Grades 4 and up. Check out these picture books and novels that address social and racial injustice now and in history, and find resources that help parents and kids to talk about these current challenges - on this LMC page. |
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December 2021
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AuthorI am the Library Media Center director at Patton School in Arlington Heights where I help students from kindergarten through 5th grade find terrific independent reading for enjoyment and information, and teach students the skills to use information and technology safely and productively and to connect, communicate and share with others. I have four grown children, a large black dog, (flat coat retriever) and a small striped cat. I am an obessive Chicago Cubs fan and I love to run. Patton LMC Summer Reading Blog |