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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December 2021
My Reading List!
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 |