Summer Reading Book Recommendations
Here are just a few suggestions of books you might want to read this summer. The librarians at the public library can help you find these books. They can also suggest other books you might enjoy reading. If you can't find a book you enjoy, send me an email using the "Contact Mrs. Zimmerman" page on this website, and I'll email you some suggestions. I have a long list of books I can't wait to read this summer, and I hope you do too. Happy reading!
The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans are the most famous kids at Woodrow Wilson School. In fact, they are the most famous kids in the whole town -- and they are the worst kids in the history of the world. They are dirty, rotten, lazy, and ornery. They tell lies and smoke cigars and set fire to things. They stay away from school whenever they want to and won't learn anything when they are there. Every September the students and teachers gear up for another year of dealing with the Herdmans. But no matter what precautions are taken, these modern-day outlaws still manage to cause hilarious mayhem year-round. Their wild behavior always leads to disaster for someone, but somehow all six of them continually escape blame.
Level P
The Herdmans are the most famous kids at Woodrow Wilson School. In fact, they are the most famous kids in the whole town -- and they are the worst kids in the history of the world. They are dirty, rotten, lazy, and ornery. They tell lies and smoke cigars and set fire to things. They stay away from school whenever they want to and won't learn anything when they are there. Every September the students and teachers gear up for another year of dealing with the Herdmans. But no matter what precautions are taken, these modern-day outlaws still manage to cause hilarious mayhem year-round. Their wild behavior always leads to disaster for someone, but somehow all six of them continually escape blame.
Level P
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda is a genius who not only has to deal with loud, obnoxious, idiotic parents who scapegoat her for everything but with "the Trunchbull"! "The Trunchbull" is actually Miss Trunchbull, the ex-Olympic hammer-thrower, Head Mistress of Matilda's school who has terrorized generations of students and teachers. When "the Trunchbull" goes after Miss Honey, the one person, who supports and believes in Matilda, our heroine decides it's time to fight back. Her parents and "the Trunchbull" don't stand a chance against her unusual skills.
Level S
Matilda is a genius who not only has to deal with loud, obnoxious, idiotic parents who scapegoat her for everything but with "the Trunchbull"! "The Trunchbull" is actually Miss Trunchbull, the ex-Olympic hammer-thrower, Head Mistress of Matilda's school who has terrorized generations of students and teachers. When "the Trunchbull" goes after Miss Honey, the one person, who supports and believes in Matilda, our heroine decides it's time to fight back. Her parents and "the Trunchbull" don't stand a chance against her unusual skills.
Level S
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Because of a bet, Billy is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. The worms are supplied by his opponent, whose motto is "The bigger and juicier, the better!" At first Billy's problem is whether or not he can swallow the worm placed before him, even with a choice of condiments from peanut butter to horseradish. Billy's family, after checking with the doctor, takes everything in stride. They even help Billy through his gastronomic ordeal, which twists and turns with each new day, leaving the outcome of the bet continually in doubt.
Level R
Because of a bet, Billy is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. The worms are supplied by his opponent, whose motto is "The bigger and juicier, the better!" At first Billy's problem is whether or not he can swallow the worm placed before him, even with a choice of condiments from peanut butter to horseradish. Billy's family, after checking with the doctor, takes everything in stride. They even help Billy through his gastronomic ordeal, which twists and turns with each new day, leaving the outcome of the bet continually in doubt.
Level R
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
Have you ever wanted your friend's curly hair or your sister's green eyes? This is a story about wanting a feature you weren't born with - and trying the craziest things to get it! If Andrew had freckles like his friend Nicky, his mother would never know if his neck was dirty. One day after school, Andrew asks Nicky where he got his freckles. When know-it-all Sharon overhears, she offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe -- for fifty cents. It's a lot of money, but Andrew is desperate. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens...
Level M
Have you ever wanted your friend's curly hair or your sister's green eyes? This is a story about wanting a feature you weren't born with - and trying the craziest things to get it! If Andrew had freckles like his friend Nicky, his mother would never know if his neck was dirty. One day after school, Andrew asks Nicky where he got his freckles. When know-it-all Sharon overhears, she offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe -- for fifty cents. It's a lot of money, but Andrew is desperate. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens...
Level M
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
I've read this book a half dozen times, and each time I want to cheer outlaid during the last two chapters, and I always cry at the end. Always. This book tells the story of Little Willy who is determined to win a dog sled race to save his grandfather's potato farm. No one has ever beaten Stone Fox, a stern and silent Native American, but Willy trains daily for the race with his beloved dog, Searchlight. Can Willy save his grandfather's farm, and his life? This book is based on a true story, and it is fantastic historical fiction.
Level P
I've read this book a half dozen times, and each time I want to cheer outlaid during the last two chapters, and I always cry at the end. Always. This book tells the story of Little Willy who is determined to win a dog sled race to save his grandfather's potato farm. No one has ever beaten Stone Fox, a stern and silent Native American, but Willy trains daily for the race with his beloved dog, Searchlight. Can Willy save his grandfather's farm, and his life? This book is based on a true story, and it is fantastic historical fiction.
Level P
Ragweed by Avi
Ragweed, a golden mouse, says good-bye to his family and the quiet of the Brook, to strike out and see the world. With the motto “A mouse has to do what a mouse has to do”, Ragweed hops a train and finds himself in Amperville—a city both loud and dangerous, where his life definitely speeds up. First he is attacked by Silversides, an angry white cat who is president of F.E.A.R. (Felines Enraged About Rodents). Then he is saved by Clutch, a skateboard-riding gray mouse with green hair and a purple earring. Ragweed will have to decide if he is a country mouse or a city mouse, and he may just find that “being a mouse ain’t easy anywhere.” This is the first book in the Poppy series by Avi, and the books in the series range from level P to U.
Level U
Ragweed, a golden mouse, says good-bye to his family and the quiet of the Brook, to strike out and see the world. With the motto “A mouse has to do what a mouse has to do”, Ragweed hops a train and finds himself in Amperville—a city both loud and dangerous, where his life definitely speeds up. First he is attacked by Silversides, an angry white cat who is president of F.E.A.R. (Felines Enraged About Rodents). Then he is saved by Clutch, a skateboard-riding gray mouse with green hair and a purple earring. Ragweed will have to decide if he is a country mouse or a city mouse, and he may just find that “being a mouse ain’t easy anywhere.” This is the first book in the Poppy series by Avi, and the books in the series range from level P to U.
Level U
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Have you ever wondered if you could invent a new word? How would you make that word "real" enough to get it in the dictionary? Nick Allen knows just how to make school more cool. In fifth grade, he's come up with his most ingenious idea yet. After learning about the origins of words, he decides to change the word pen to frindle. At first, it seems like a harmless prank, a way to annoy his dictionary-obsessed teacher. Then the whole class starts using the new word, and the joke spreads across town like wildfire. Suddenly Nick finds himself in the middle of a fiasco over "frindle," (after-school punishments, principal visits, national publicity, business opportunities and finally…) Will Nick emerge from the controversy a troublemaker or a hero?
Level R
Have you ever wondered if you could invent a new word? How would you make that word "real" enough to get it in the dictionary? Nick Allen knows just how to make school more cool. In fifth grade, he's come up with his most ingenious idea yet. After learning about the origins of words, he decides to change the word pen to frindle. At first, it seems like a harmless prank, a way to annoy his dictionary-obsessed teacher. Then the whole class starts using the new word, and the joke spreads across town like wildfire. Suddenly Nick finds himself in the middle of a fiasco over "frindle," (after-school punishments, principal visits, national publicity, business opportunities and finally…) Will Nick emerge from the controversy a troublemaker or a hero?
Level R
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
A hilarious book about a nine year old girl who means well, but attracts trouble like a magnet. This story is told from Clementine's point of view, so you get to hear her opinion of her well-meant disasters. Clementine has trouble paying attention, but of course she doesn't see it that way. To her way of thinking, she just pays attention to different things than what the grown-ups want her to pay attention to. And then there's her mischief. Like when Clementine chops off her friend's hair while helpfully trying to get glue out of it. Then, to fix things, Clementine uses a permanent marker to draw hair onto her friend's forehead. If you enjoy this book, there are three other books in this series that you'll love.
Level Q
A hilarious book about a nine year old girl who means well, but attracts trouble like a magnet. This story is told from Clementine's point of view, so you get to hear her opinion of her well-meant disasters. Clementine has trouble paying attention, but of course she doesn't see it that way. To her way of thinking, she just pays attention to different things than what the grown-ups want her to pay attention to. And then there's her mischief. Like when Clementine chops off her friend's hair while helpfully trying to get glue out of it. Then, to fix things, Clementine uses a permanent marker to draw hair onto her friend's forehead. If you enjoy this book, there are three other books in this series that you'll love.
Level Q
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
This wonderfully absurd class is a perfect pick to read aloud together as a family. Poor Mr. Popper isn't exactly unhappy; he just wishes he had seen something of the world before meeting Mrs. Popper and settling down. Most of all, he wishes he could travel to the South Pole, so he spends his spare time between house-painting jobs reading all about polar explorations. Admiral Drake, in response to Mr. Popper's fan letter, sends him a penguin, and life at 432 Proudfoot Avenue is never the same again! From one penguin living in the icebox, the Popper family grows to include 12 penguins, all of whom must be fed. Thus is born "Popper's Performing Penguins, First Time on Any Stage, Direct from the South Pole." Their adventures while on tour are hilarious as the penguins disrupt other acts and invade hotels. Mr. Popper's Penguins was first published in 1938, and this is a book that's stood the test of time.
Level Q
This wonderfully absurd class is a perfect pick to read aloud together as a family. Poor Mr. Popper isn't exactly unhappy; he just wishes he had seen something of the world before meeting Mrs. Popper and settling down. Most of all, he wishes he could travel to the South Pole, so he spends his spare time between house-painting jobs reading all about polar explorations. Admiral Drake, in response to Mr. Popper's fan letter, sends him a penguin, and life at 432 Proudfoot Avenue is never the same again! From one penguin living in the icebox, the Popper family grows to include 12 penguins, all of whom must be fed. Thus is born "Popper's Performing Penguins, First Time on Any Stage, Direct from the South Pole." Their adventures while on tour are hilarious as the penguins disrupt other acts and invade hotels. Mr. Popper's Penguins was first published in 1938, and this is a book that's stood the test of time.
Level Q
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things By Lenore Look
Alvin is scared of many, many things. Elevators, thunder, substitute teachers, cabbage, and so on. He is not scared of explosions. In fact, explosions and superheroes are his favorite things. Alvin is a pretty normal kid, except for one problem. Alvin has never talked at school - he simply can't. He talks at home, on the school bus, and at his friends' houses, but never at school. This book has great illustrations, and the story is told entirely from Alvin's point of view. It's a lot like Clementine, but with a Chinese-American boy as the main character. There is a second book in this series, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters.
Level N
Alvin is scared of many, many things. Elevators, thunder, substitute teachers, cabbage, and so on. He is not scared of explosions. In fact, explosions and superheroes are his favorite things. Alvin is a pretty normal kid, except for one problem. Alvin has never talked at school - he simply can't. He talks at home, on the school bus, and at his friends' houses, but never at school. This book has great illustrations, and the story is told entirely from Alvin's point of view. It's a lot like Clementine, but with a Chinese-American boy as the main character. There is a second book in this series, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters.
Level N
The Day-Glo Brothers By Chris Barton
Before 1935, fluorescent (neon) colors did not exist. Barton discusses how two brothers worked together to create the eye-popping hues. The Switzer brothers were complete opposites. Older brother Bob was hardworking and practical, while younger brother Joe was carefree and full of creative, wacky ideas. However, when an unexpected injury forced Bob to spend months recovering in a darkened basement, the two brothers happened upon an illuminating adventure: the discovery of Day-Glo colors. Joe Switzer figured out that using a black light to create a fluorescent glow could spruce up his magic act, so the brothers built an ultraviolet lamp. They began to experiment with various chemicals to make glow-in-the-dark paints. Through trial and error, the brothers perfected their creation. This non-fiction story includes whimsical cartoon illustrations.
Level Q
Before 1935, fluorescent (neon) colors did not exist. Barton discusses how two brothers worked together to create the eye-popping hues. The Switzer brothers were complete opposites. Older brother Bob was hardworking and practical, while younger brother Joe was carefree and full of creative, wacky ideas. However, when an unexpected injury forced Bob to spend months recovering in a darkened basement, the two brothers happened upon an illuminating adventure: the discovery of Day-Glo colors. Joe Switzer figured out that using a black light to create a fluorescent glow could spruce up his magic act, so the brothers built an ultraviolet lamp. They began to experiment with various chemicals to make glow-in-the-dark paints. Through trial and error, the brothers perfected their creation. This non-fiction story includes whimsical cartoon illustrations.
Level Q
Bones by Steve Jenkins
With beautiful cut paper illustrations and incredibly cool boney facts about skeletons, this book is a must-read for all young scientists. This book is far from skinny; it's a fabulous nonfiction book about human and animal bones, delivered with in-your-face accuracy and intrigue. You will come face-to-face with some head-to-toe bone comparisons, many of them shown at actual size. Here you'll find the differences between a man's hand and that of a spider monkey; the great weight of an elephant's leg, paired with the feather-light femur of a stork; and rib-tickling info about snakes and sloths. With this book, you'll learn about anatomy, evolution, and even math.
Level Q
With beautiful cut paper illustrations and incredibly cool boney facts about skeletons, this book is a must-read for all young scientists. This book is far from skinny; it's a fabulous nonfiction book about human and animal bones, delivered with in-your-face accuracy and intrigue. You will come face-to-face with some head-to-toe bone comparisons, many of them shown at actual size. Here you'll find the differences between a man's hand and that of a spider monkey; the great weight of an elephant's leg, paired with the feather-light femur of a stork; and rib-tickling info about snakes and sloths. With this book, you'll learn about anatomy, evolution, and even math.
Level Q
Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery
Take a parrot. Color it green. Give it soft, fluffy feathers, and whiskers. Make it gigantic and take away its power of flight. Make it nocturnal, and have it nest underground. Aha! A kakapo! Once millions of these rather friendly birds waddled all over New Zealand. Now there are fewer than 90, and the remaining kakapo have been isolated on Codfish Island. The author and photographer joined the naturalist volunteers who are working to save this species. This book portrays the conservation efforts required to bring these strange birds back from the brink. Stunning photography and beautifully-crafted text makes this book a delight for advanced readers and adults alike to read.
Level V
Take a parrot. Color it green. Give it soft, fluffy feathers, and whiskers. Make it gigantic and take away its power of flight. Make it nocturnal, and have it nest underground. Aha! A kakapo! Once millions of these rather friendly birds waddled all over New Zealand. Now there are fewer than 90, and the remaining kakapo have been isolated on Codfish Island. The author and photographer joined the naturalist volunteers who are working to save this species. This book portrays the conservation efforts required to bring these strange birds back from the brink. Stunning photography and beautifully-crafted text makes this book a delight for advanced readers and adults alike to read.
Level V
Sad Underwear and Other Complications: Poems for Children and their Parents by Judith Viorst
From "The Seventh Swimming Lesson," in which Sally finally puts her face in the water, to a practical version of "Sleeping Beauty," this is an inspired book of poetry guaranteed to tickle your funny bone, and yet make you think. All in all, these 70-odd poems will challenge, charm, and delight anyone who chooses to read them. Both humorous and dreamlike pen-and-ink illustrations are scattered throughout. This is a great book to share with your family. Try reading a poem everyday with a grown-up at home, and discussing it with them. You'll have great conversations, and I know your grown-up will enjoy these poems as much as you will.
From "The Seventh Swimming Lesson," in which Sally finally puts her face in the water, to a practical version of "Sleeping Beauty," this is an inspired book of poetry guaranteed to tickle your funny bone, and yet make you think. All in all, these 70-odd poems will challenge, charm, and delight anyone who chooses to read them. Both humorous and dreamlike pen-and-ink illustrations are scattered throughout. This is a great book to share with your family. Try reading a poem everyday with a grown-up at home, and discussing it with them. You'll have great conversations, and I know your grown-up will enjoy these poems as much as you will.