May 10, 2013 ... need to purchase this book; their fifth grade English teacher will give it to them in
May. The London Eye. Mystery will be the focus of study at the ...
May 10, 2013
Dear Parents and Incoming Sixth Graders: Children read to learn – even when they are reading fantasy, light verse, comics, or the copy on cereal packets, they are expanding their minds all the time, enlarging their vocabulary, making discoveries… Joan Aiken, Author We are excited about our active and accelerated reading curriculum at Greenhill and regard summer as a great opportunity for our students to read every chance they get! The following list of titles offers exciting journeys into worlds like and very unlike our own and will, we feel sure, enrich your children’s imagination and broaden their social awareness. Each incoming sixth grader is required to read Siobhan Dowd’s The London Eye Mystery. Students do not need to purchase this book; their fifth grade English teacher will give it to them in May. The London Eye Mystery will be the focus of study at the beginning of the first trimester. There will be an assessment on the book after our unit of study. In addition to The London Eye Mystery, each student needs to read a minimum of two more books not previously read from the attached list. These two selections will be the subject of book talk presentations in the fall. This summer we hope your child learns to love to read more than ever. Maybe they already do. Whatever the case, we want them to relax and adventure into the wonderful world of books! Sincerely,
Susan Palmer Head of Middle School
Attachments
Susan Bauman Coordinator, Middle School Language Arts
Monica Bullock Sixth Grade English
Summer Reading List for Incoming Sixth Graders All students must read the required book The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. A short summary of this book: Ted and Kat watched their cousin Salim board the London Eye, but after half an hour it landed and everyone trooped off—except Salim. Where could he have gone? How on earth could he have disappeared into thin air? Ted and his older sister, Kat, become sleuthing partners, since the police are having no luck. Despite their prickly relationship, they overcome their differences to follow a trail of clues across London in a desperate bid to find their cousin. And ultimately it comes down to Ted, whose brain works in its own very unique way, to find the key to the mystery. In addition, students must read a minimum of two additional books from the list below that they have not read before. The two books should come from two different categories: fiction, nonfiction, mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction. The titles are organized by genre and alphabetically by title. Most authors on this list have won one or more awards; therefore, other titles by the same authors on this list may be substituted for credit. The objective is for students to experience three different authors and different genres. In addition to the list of books below, students may choose books that have won the Newbery Award, except the following books: Good Masters, Sweet Ladies; The Giver; Missing May; Joyful Noise; Whipping Boy; Sarah, Plain and Tall; Dear Mr. Henshaw; and A Visit to William Blake’s Inn. ******************************************Fiction****************************************** About the B'Nai Bagels, Konigsburg Newbery author Mark has three worries: his Bar Mitzvah performance, his best friend having found another best friend, and his performance on the B'Nai Brith Little League Team. Becoming Naomi Leon, Ryan (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father. The Breadwinner, Ellis (sequels – Parvana’s Journey and My Name is Parvana) Paravana, 11, living under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan must disguise herself as a boy to support her family. This book is filled with lots of suspense and action. The Castle Corona, Creech Newbery author A comic fairy tale set in feudal Italy involving a spoiled royal family and peasants who are in possession of a stolen pouch, the contents of which had the power to unlock secrets and transform lives. Code Orange, Cooney A high school boy works on his research topic about disease, when he stumbles on, and unwittingly releases a deadly virus in New York City. Mitty must save himself and the city in this edge-of-your-seat thriller. Does My Head Look Big in This, Abdel-Fattah Year eleven at a prep school in Australia would be tough enough, but it is complicated for Amal when she wears the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, full-time as a badge of her faith without losing her identity or sense of style. Escape Under the Forever Sky, Yohalem Suspenseful adventure loosely based on a true story. Upset at being the overprotected American ambassador's daughter in Ethiopia, Lucy, 13, sneaks out to the market, is kidnapped, and escapes. Then she faces lions, etc. Eleven, Giff When Sam, 11, discovers an old newspaper, he might learn that he was kidnapped years ago. While building a castle for a school project, Caroline may be able to help. But she’s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth. Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature, Brande Following her conscience leads a freshman to clash with parents and friends from their conservative church, but results might change if she supports a teacher who refuses to include "Intelligent Design" in lessons on evolution.
Faith, Hope, and Ivy, Naylor Newbery author Seventh grade country girl Ivy June and city girl Catherine seem like opposites. But when tragedy strikes, the girls discover they’re more alike than they thought. Guys Write for Guys Read: boys’ favorite authors write about being boys, ed. Scieszka - multiple authors (other titles include Guys Read: Funny Business and Guys Read: Thriller, Guys Read: Sports Pages) ed. Scieszka This is a rich collection of stories, mini-memoirs, advice, poems, drawings, mysteries, non-stop action and comics of defining guy moments. Funny, sad, triumphant, and down-right irresistible, these books are enjoyable for boys and girls. Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet, Smith Ana has what her social studies teacher calls a “marvelously biracial, multicultural family” but what Ana simply calls a Chinese American father and an African American mother. And on eighth-grade graduation day, that’s a recipe for disaster. Both sets of grandparents are in town to celebrate, and Ana’s friend has convinced her to invite the cutest boy in school for a home-cooked meal. Keeping Score, Parks Newbery author (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) During the 1950s, young Maggie struggles to will her beloved Brooklyn Dodgers to a victory in the World Series and wishes that her friend Jim, a soldier in Korea, would answer her letters. No More Dead Dogs, Korman Eight grade football hero, Wallace, must serve detention attending rehearsals of the school play where, in spite of himself, he becomes wrapped up in the production and begins to suggest changes that improve the play and his life also. The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen (Originally published as The Sunita Experiment), Perkins In this engaging story of cultural discovery, Sunita, 13, resents her Indian heritage when her grandparents come to visit from India. She is embarrassed by the differences she feels between herself and her friends, but she's in for surprises. One Crazy Summer, Williams-Garcia National Book Award Newbery Honor After traveling from NYC to Oakland to spend the summer of 1968 with their mother, Dalphine, 11, and her sisters discover that their mother is resentful of their visit. They end up helping the Black Panthers struggle for equality. Operation Yes, Holmes (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) Teacher, Miss Loupe, uses acting exercises with her 6th grade students, and when she has a family tragedy, her previously skeptical class uses what they have learned to help her, her brother, and other wounded soldiers. Out of My Mind, Draper Powerful story of Melody, 11, smartest girl in the school, with a photographic memory, but no one knows because she can’t talk or write due to cerebral palsy. No one thinks she is capable of learning, but what happens when she figures out a way to communicate? Peak, Smith (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) After Peak, 14, is arrested for scaling a skyscraper, he flies to Kathmandu with his long-lost father. His father wants Peak to be the youngest person to reach the Everest peak. Peak’s ascent is suspenseful and impossible to put down. Science Fair, Barry & Pearson A hilarious adventure filled with suspense and levitating frogs as Toby, a regular kid, attempts to win the science fair prize and stop a plot to take over the American government by infiltrating the science fair at Hubble Middle School. Shooting Kabul, Senzai When aspiring photographer Fadi, 11, wins a trip to India, it’s his chance to search for the younger sister his family had to leave when they fled Afghanistan for America. If he sneaks into Afghanistan, will he ever find her, and will he be able to get back out? Small Steps, Sachar Newbery author Three years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit’s old pal X-Ray shows up with a tempting plan to make some easy money scalping concert tickets, and Armpit reluctantly goes along.
Stranded, Mikaelsen Twelve-year-old Koby, who has lost a foot in an accident, sees a chance to prove her self-reliance to her parents when she tries to rescue two stranded pilot whales near her home in the Florida Keys. Take Me to the River, Hobbs Dylan, 14, and Rio have come to a national park in Texas to boat despite the warning of a major hurricane. As they pack the boats, six army helicopters appear overhead. Forging ahead regardless, a trembling boy and a man begging for help stumble upon them. The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet, Dionne Hamlet wants to be a normal 8th grader. But with parents like hers, Shakespearean scholars who dress in costume, and a genius 7-year-old sister who will attend her middle school, and is named the new math tutor, she and her family are anything but ordinary. When the Shakespeare Project is announced, Hamlet reveals herself to be an amazing actress. True Legend, Lupica Basketball phenom Drew has a once-in-a-generation talent on the court. Drew buys into his own hype, and suddenly trouble has a way of finding him, until a washed-up former legend takes him under his wing. Ungifted, Korman Gifted has never described Donovan. But a major prank at school and a mix-up by a school official send Donovan to the ASD, a special program for gifted and talented students. Can he manage to fool people whose IQs are above genius level? When You Reach Me, Stead Newbery Award 2010 The key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. Then mysterious notes that defy time and space start arriving. Each message causes Miranda, 12, to believe that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late, all while her mom prepares to be a contestant on a TV game show.
***************************************Nonfiction****************************************** Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, Stone Thirteen women, all pilots with high scores on preliminary tests, one with more flying hours than John Glenn, all tried to become NASA’s first women astronaut trainees in the early 1960’s. They were not accepted, but the story is riveting. An American Plague: the true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, Murphy Newbery Honor In Philadelphia in 1793, the nation's capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease -- cause unknown. Suspenseful, riveting true story of a city under siege. Generously illustrated. Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed, Galloway An illustrated and humorous account of jobs held in medieval times. Chew on This, Schlosser This eye-opening excursion into the fast food industry looks at its growth, practice, and effects on public health. Frozen Secrets: Antarctica Revealed, Walker (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) Book explores both historical and modern-day scientific expeditions to the continent and examines what secrets might still be locked in the continent's icy cloak. Beautiful illustrations of the land and scientists working in the harshest conditions. How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous, Bragg Dying was a big mess before modern medical care. Follow 19 historical figures’ deaths with gory and bloody details. Informative, fascinating, with a bit of humor, follow King Tut’s mummification, Einstein’s brain, Galileo’s finger, etc. Medieval World, Steele This book highlights various aspects of life during the middle ages.
Scientists in the Field, series, various authors (several available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) Each book in this 30 book series is beautifully illustrated with photo-essay profiles of scientists as they each work in unique fields of science. Some titles include Tarantula Scientist, Gorilla Doctor: Saving Endangered Great Apes, Swimming with Hammerhead Sharks, Emi and the Rhino Scientist, The Wildlife Detectives, etc. Ten True Tales series (Scholastic Publishing – various authors including Zullo) True tale vignettes in each of the 10+ books. Some titles include: The Rescuers: Kids Who Risked Everything to Save Others; True Tales of Misbehaving Animals: Bad Pets; Ten True Tales: Heroes of 9/11; Titanic: Young Survivors. Top Secret: a handbook of codes, ciphers, and secret writing, Janeczko The book contains fifty documents that shed light on the spy world and covert operations since the sixteenth century, each with commentary that explains the effect of the information on wars, civilizations, and history. Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet below the Chilean Desert, Aronson True story of the 2010 suspenseful day-by-day above and below story of the rescue of miners trapped for 69 days.
**************************************Mystery********************************************** The Danger Box, Balliett Zoomy, 12, and his new friend investigate an odd journal found inside a mysterious box, deal with a missing father, a fire, and a death, and find family secrets and a valuable treasure, all while a dangerous stranger watches and waits. Double or Die, Higson (Young James Bond series) Teenage James Bond is on the case when a professor is kidnapped in a London cemetery, and an encoded letter arrives which leaves James with just 48 hours to rescue the captured scholar and save the world. Found, Haddix, (The Missing series) When 13 year olds Jonah and Chip, who are adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane full of babies that appeared out of nowhere with no adults on board, they realize they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel. Hide and Seek, Grant When Chase, 14, geocaching in isolated mountains in Arizona, inadvertently stumbles into the middle of a crime, he finds notes written in a child-like manner asking for food and help. He finds himself in a dangerous situation that could turn deadly. I, Q: Independence Hall, Smith (I, Q series) Q, 13, and Angela, 15, have their lives changed when his mother marries her father, wildly popular musicians. When the band takes a national road trip the teens find themselves involved with spies and terrorists. The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, Runholt While traveling in London, Paris, and Amsterdam, fourteen-year-old best friends Kari and Lucas solve an international art forgery mystery. The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army Navy Game, Feinstein (series) A continuing story of teen sports writers, Stevie and Susan Carol. They uncover an illegal gambling racket with a plan to throw a key game. Will they get the authorities to believe them before the game is thrown? Scorpia Rising, Horowitz (Alex Rider series) Scorpia, a dangerous terrorist organization, has dogged teen, Alex Rider, for most of his life. They killed his parents, tried to con Alex into turning traitor, and now in the Middle East Scorpia keeps coming back with more power. Who will win? STORM: the ghost machine, Young (Storm series) Teenage STORM agents Will, Andrew, and Gaia seek answers to a pair of "ghostly" burglaries in Venice, but uncover a larger plot that aims to assassinate the leading figures of international intelligence. Full of fast pace, gadget-packed action.
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, Grisham (Theodore Boone series) (other titles The Activist and The Abduction) A perfect murder, a faceless witness, and a lone courtroom champion who knows all the judges, police, court employees, and the truth. Too bad he’s only 13. Packed with suspense and intrigue. Westing Game, Raskin Newbery Award A millionaire dies mysteriously and sixteen unlikely potential heirs gather for the reading of a bizarre will. They learn that they must engage themselves in a game to find out who murdered Mr. Westing! Lots of twists, turns, and clues. ******************************************Fantasy****************************************** Artemis Fowl: the time paradox, Colfer (Artemis Fowl series) (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) Artemis's travels back in time to find a cure for his mother's disease. The cure needs the brain fluid of now-extinct lemurs, and he is shocked to learn it was his younger self who caused the animal's extinction. The Book of Three, Alexander (Chronicles of Prydain series) Newbery author In this first of five books about a mythical land, Taran, an assistant pig-keeper, and Prince Gwydion fight against the evil forces threatening the kingdom. The Castle in the Attic, Winthrop A gift of a toy castle, complete with silver knight, introduces William to an adventure involving magic and a personal quest. The Dark is Rising, Cooper (Dark is Rising series) Newbery Honor This series portrays the conflict between the good Servants of Light and the evil Powers of Dark. In an intricate fantasy, Cooper uses folklore and legend. Hunger Games, Collins (Catching Fire and Mockingjay - sequels) (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) Sixteen-year-old Katniss accidentally becomes a contender in the annual Hunger Games, a grave competition hosted by the Capitol where young boys and girls are pitted against one another in a televised fight to the death. Inheritance, Paolini (Inheritance series) (other titles: Eragon, Eldest, and Brising) Once Eragon Shadeslayer was a poor farm boy. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on his shoulders and that of his dragon, Saphira as they confront the evil Galbatirix. There are no second chances. Will they be strong enough? Interworld, Gaiman Joey Harker discovers that he can walk between alternate Earths and is swept up in a war between them in this fast-paced, compulsively readable tale. The Lost Years of Merlin, Baron The tale of the legendary Merlin's youth. Merlin searches for his true being while overcoming perilous odds. The Outcasts, Flanagan (The Brotherband Chronicles series) (other titles: The Invaders and The Hunters) Action packed thriller of epic battles of Skandians and Araluens. Hal, 16, and his band of ostracized misfits compete with 2 other powerful brotherbands, endure 3 months of grueling training in weapons and battle tactics to see who will win. **************************************Historical Fiction************************************ Alchemy and Meggy Swann, Cushman Other medieval titles (Matilda Bone and Catherine, Called Birdy) Newbery author (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) Feisty Meggy is sent to medieval London to a father she has never met. She makes friends and helps with his alchemy work. He sold arsenic to men who intend to poison their master, and she frantically tries to save both the master and her father. Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, Jacques (Castaways series) In 1620, a boy and his dog are rescued from the doomed ship, Flying Dutchman, by an angel who guides them in travelling the world, eternally helping those in great need.
Countdown, Wiles Franny, 11, deals with drama at home and with her best friend while trying to understand problems in the world after President Kennedy announces that Russia has sent nuclear missiles to Cuba in 1962. Period illustrations. Crispin: at the edge of the world, Avi Newbery author Branded as traitors by the king's authorities, Crispin and his guardian, Bear, flee in fourteenth-century England, where they perform a musical juggling act and bond as a family after befriending a disfigured girl. A Company of Fools, Ellis Henri lives in the medieval abbey as a choirboy and scribe. When Micah arrives, his presence brings friendship, antics, and a fresh attitude into the abbey. Together they learn to live through both humorous and difficult times. Door in the Wall, De Angeli Newbery Award A crippled boy in fourteenth-century England proves his courage and earns recognition from the King. Elijah of Buxton, Curtis Newbery Honor In 1859, 11 year old Elijah Freeman, from Buxton, Canada, a haven for American slaves, uses his wits and skills to bring to justice the lying preacher who stole money that was to be used to buy a family's freedom. The Fences Between Us: The Diary of Piper Davis, Larson Newbery author (Dear America series) Piper, 13, records her brother’s Navy experiences during WWII in Pearl Harbor and her experience as she follows her pastor father’s congregation to an Idaho internment camp for Japanese Americans. Powerful story with lots of facts. Fever, 1793, Anderson In 1793 Philadelphia, fourteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Schmidt Newbery Honor (available as an ebook on Follett Shelf) In 1911, Turner hates his home of Phippsburg, Maine, but things improve when he meets Lizzie Bright, a girl from a poor, nearby island community. The town fathers and Turner's father want to change the island into a tourist spot. The Outlaws of Sherwood, McKinley Newbery author A retelling of the adventures of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws, who lived in Sherwood Forest in Twelfth Century England. The Redheaded Princess, Rinaldi In 1542, 9-year-old Elizabeth lives near London, and as the years pass she faces the deaths of her father, King Henry VIII, and other close relatives, until her spectacular reign on the English throne in 1558. Sylvia and Aki, Conkling Based on the true story of Aki, a Japanese American sent to an internment camp during WWII, and Mexican American Sylvia whose family leased Aki’s family farm and begin the fight to stop school segregation. With the Might of Angels, Pinkney (Dear America series) When Dawnie becomes the 1st African American at an all-white school, her brother is bullied and her dad is fired from his job. Can they find the courage to do what they know is right? Woods Runner, Paulsen From his 1776 home, Samuel, 13, a skilled woodsman, goes to rescue his parents from British soldiers and Native Americans who kidnapped them after slaughtering most of their town. This is a page-turning thriller.
