Summer Reading for Students Entering Third Grade

This summer we want you to focus on enjoying reading.  One of the best ways to grow as a reader is to read various     genres of books and to read often.  Students are being asked to read at least 3 books, but we hope you will read many more!  Please write the title and author for each book you read on the enclosed leaf.  Please save the leaves and return them to school in the fall.  Feel free to make more leaves for every book you read this summer.  On the following pages is a list of recommended books, but your choice is not limited to these books. Have fun reading!

Friendship and School Stories

7 x 9 = Trouble!  by Claudia Mills

Back to School Mallory by Laurie Friedman

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Clarice Bean Spells Trouble  by Lauren Child

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

The Flunking of Joshua Bates by Susan Shreve

Friendship According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

Judy Moody Gets Famous by Megan McDonald

Just Grace by Charise Harper

The Lucky Lizard by Ellen A. Kelley

Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead! by Jessica Scott Kerrin

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary or any of her other books

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford

Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume

Winnie (Dancing) on Her Own by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Fantasy

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Dragon of Doom by Bruce Coville

Half Magic by Edward Eager

Lady Lollipop by Dick King-Smith

The Seven Blunders of the World by Jon Scieszka

Three Terrible Trins by Dick King Smith

Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins

Bunnicula by Deborah Howe and James Howe

The Story of A Seagull and The Cat Who Taught Her To Fly by Luis Sepúlveda

Sports and Adventure

Barnstormers Series by Phil Bildner

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo’s Nose  by Donald J. Sobol

Geronimo Stilton Series

 Hot Hand by Mike Lupica

Little House on the Prairie or any book in this series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Owen Foote, Super Spy by Stephanie Greene

Pippi Longstocking or any book in this series by Astrid Lindgren

Short Stop from Tokyo  by Matt Christopher

Any Book by Matt Christopher

The Stranger Next Door by Peg Kehret

Poetry and Nonfiction

The Bug Scientist by Donna M. Jackson

Dinomummy by Phillip Lars Manning

Dogku  by Andrew Clements

Laugh-Eteria by Douglas Florian

Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

Theodore Roosevelt: the Adventurous President (Time for Kids Series)

Where in the Wild? : Camouflaged Creatures Concealed... and Revealed

 by David M. Schwartz

The ABC’s of Reading To And With Your Child

Ask questions while reading together. “What do you think will happen next?”

   Buy books as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays.

      Chat about what is happening in the book and how it relates to everyday life.

Drop everything and read.  Set aside 20 minutes a day during which the whole

                            family reads.

  Examine book illustrations in detail. Select books that have large bright pictures.

      Find books that interest your child. Make suggestions, but don’t turn reading

                            into work.

Give hints when your child gets stuck on a word.

   Have fun. Smile and enjoy the story. Read with a slow, relaxed voice and be

                            expressive.

      Invite your child to the bookstore. Take time to lounge in the chairs and

                            browse the books.

Join in your child’s reading successes. Celebrate every small step with sincere

                            praise.

   Kids love to receive mail. Send your child a magazine subscription that interests

                             him or her.

         Learn to read with, and not just to, your child daily. Read aloud, share ideas,

                            and answer questions.

Model reading. Share with your child, whether you’re reading for information or

                            for entertainment.

   Never force your child to read. If you’re both too tired or discouraged to read,

                             take a break.

       Offer your child a variety of reading materials, such as books, magazines,

                            cereal boxes, comics, and newspapers.

Predict story elements, draw conclusions, and retell the story with your child.

   Quiz your child at the end of a story. Informally, of course!

       Reread books to familiarize your child with words and to build

                            self-confidence.

Sing songs, recite poetry, and do fingerplays to help develop language and listening

                             skills.

   Try to help your child understand that it’s okay to make mistakes.

       Understand that reading is developmental and that it takes time and

                            practice to become fluent.

Visit your local library on a regular basis. Sign your child up for his or her own

                            library card.

   Welcome wordless picture books into your collections. They generate

                            conversation and allow the nonreader to create his or her own

                            stories.

“eXhibit” patience when your child is selecting books. Your support is empowering.

   You are the most important person helping your child develop a lifelong love of

                            reading.

       Zealous readers are the result of supportive and nurturing role models.