Fourth Grade Summer Reading Program
R. Dean Kilby Elementary School
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.
PWCS Fourth Grade Summer Reading Program
Suggested Reading
The following titles are suggestions for summer reading. Other books selected by the student with guidance from a parent/guardian and/or librarian are also acceptable. Participation in the PWC Public Library Summer Reading Program and its documentation are also acceptable.
|
Author
|
Title
|
Pub. Date
|
Lexile Level
|
Annotation
|
|
Armstrong, William
|
Sounder
|
1969
|
900
|
A young black boy grows in courage and understanding with the help of the devoted dog, Sounder and also by learning to read.
|
|
Berends, Polly
|
The Case of the Elevator Duck
|
1973
|
700
|
Chronicles the adventures of an eleven year old detective that result from finding a duck in the elevator of his apartment bldg.
|
|
Bulla, Clyde
|
A Lion to Guard Us
|
1981
|
360
|
Three impoverished children draw upon all their resources to stay together and make their way to the Virginia colony in search of their father.
|
|
Christopher, Matt
|
Dirt Bike Racer
|
1979
|
630
|
12 year-old Ron Baker finds a minibike while scuba diving, and with the help of a former motorcycle rider and racer, restores the bike and races in competition.
|
|
Christopher, Matt
|
Red Hot High Tops
|
1987
|
730
|
Normally fearful to play basketball in front of a crowd, Kelly becomes a confident and aggressive player when she dons a mysterious pair of red sneakers that she finds.
|
|
Cleary, Beverly
|
Dear Mr. Henshaw
|
1983
|
910
|
Epistolary novel of letters written by Leigh Hunt to his favorite author spanning the years from second to sixth grade. He has to answer questions from the author and his Mother requires him to answer the questions. He portrays himself as a lonely boy troubled by his parent's divorce and his move to a new town. Missing his father and Bandit, his dog, his life is very lonely.
|
|
Fleishman, Sid
|
Whipping Boy
|
1987
|
570
|
He is known throughout the land as Prince Brat, a name he justly deserves. But in his kingdom, it is forbidden to spank the heir to the throne. So an orphan name Jemmy is plucked from the streets to serve as his whipping boy....
|
|
Fritz, Jean
|
Where was Patrick Henry on the 29th
|
1975
|
1000
|
A biography of Patrick Henry tracing his progress from planter to statesman.
|
|
Fritz, Jean
|
Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?
|
1975
|
970
|
A biography of the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
|
|
Gardiner, John
|
Stone Fox
|
1978
|
550
|
Little Willy hopes to pay back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a dog sled race he enters.
|
|
Greenfield, Eloise
|
Honey, I Love and other love poems
|
1980
|
NP
|
Titles include "I Look Pretty", "Fun", "Harriet Tubman", and "By Myself": all spoken straight from the heart of a child. American Poetry by Black Authors
|
|
Howe, James
|
Bunnicula
|
1979
|
700
|
"Today vegetables, tomorrow the world!" A mystery-comedy about Harold the dog, Chester the cat, and a vampire bunny named.........
|
|
Krumgold, Joseph
|
And Now Miquel
|
1990
|
780
|
12 year old Miquel wants to go the San De Cristo Mountain to help herd sheep but his father thinks that he is too young. Miquel makes a wish and wishes for anything to happen so that he can go up the mountain. His brother is drafted and Miquel can take his place but Miquel feels guilty for his selfish wish and wants things like they were before.
|
|
Lenski, Lois
|
Strawberry Girl
|
1945
|
650
|
Birdie Boyer and her hardworking family raise strawberries in Florida but have to face the dislike of their neighbors.
|
|
McCloskey, Robert
|
Homer Price
|
1943
|
1000
|
Homer is from Centerburg. Somehow the funniest things are always happening here and Homer Price is always in the middle of them.
|
|
Polacco, Patricia
|
Thunder Cake
|
1990
|
630
|
Grandma finds a way to dispel her grandchild's fear of thunderstorms.
|
|
Rawls, Wilson
|
Where the Red Ferns
Grows |
1992
|
700
|
An exciting tale of adventure and friendship. A loving threesome, roamed the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains, and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them but sadness waited, too.
|
|
Sachar, Louis
|
Sideways Stories from
Wayside School |
1985
|
460
|
There'd been a terrible mistake. Wayside School was suppose to be built with 30 classrooms all next to each other in a row. Instead they built the classrooms one on top of the other....thirty stories tall! That may be why many things happen at Wayside school.
|
|
Simon, Seymour
|
The Sun
|
1985
|
870
|
Describes the nature of the sun, its origin, source of energy, layers, atmosphere, sunspots and activities.
|
|
White, E. B.
|
The Trumpet of the Swan
|
1970
|
750
|
Knowing how to read and write is not enough for Louis, a voiceless trumpeter swan. His determination to learn to play a stolen trumpet takes him far away from his wilderness home.
|
Prince William County Public Schools
Summer Reading 2009
Documentation Grades 3 – 4
Students in Grades 3 – 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
|
Classroom Teacher
|
