It's Time for S'more Summer Reading!

Graham Crackers, Toasted Marshmallows, Melting Chocolate… three simple ingredients, stacked together to become summer’s crunchy-gooey-melt-in-your-mouth-and-all-over-your-face dessert. That’s right, Book Beachers, today we’re talking and tasting s’mores. While the marshmallows are toasting, let’s take a look at yummy summer reading treats… and then take a look at s’more!

Book in a Hammock by Mia.

Happy Readers, Happy Campers! S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet by Helen Foster James (40 pages, RL 5.5). This A-to-Z picture book lists people, places, and things related to the Great Outdoors: from Denali to Yellowstone, from Juliette Gordon Low to John Muir, from flora and fauna to camping and hiking gear.

This Summer, Miss Sgroi Recommends The Scourge .

A Flight of Summer Reading Fantasy: The Scourge by Jennifer Nielsen (353 pages, RL 5.3). As a lethal plague known as the Scourge sweeps the land, Ani Mells of the River People is captured by the governor’s wardens and sent to Attic Island, a former prison turned refuge-and-quarantine colony for the ill. Ani does not feel sick, and she begins to suspect that something is horribly wrong. With best friend Weevil, she sets out to uncover the truth and to reveal a devious plot. Fifth Grade Language Arts teacher Miss Sgroi shares, "This novel is suspenseful, with twists and turns that keep you reading. I finished it in a few hours!"

A Flight of Summer Reading by Emily J.

Mrs. Collett Suggests Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic for Happy Summer Reading!

Piggle-Wiggle, and Good for a Giggle! Mrs. Piggle Wiggle’s Magic by Betty MacDonald (126 pages, RL 5.3). With her trademark ingenuity, humor, understanding of human behavior, and a touch of magic, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle teaches children life lessons and dispenses cures for conditions like sloppiness, laziness, showing off, interrupting, slow-eating-tiny-bite-taking, and all sorts of wayward conduct. Fifth Grade Language Arts teacher Mrs. Collett enthuses, "This book keeps us giggling! Kids love Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and their parents do, too. What kind of strange remedy will she have for those naughty children this time?"

Señora Leonardis Recommends El Mundo de Acuerdo a Humphrey.

Un Libro de Verano en Español! El Mundo de Acuerdo a Humphrey by Betty Birney (136 pages, RL 4.5). In this Spanish translation of The World According to Humphrey, a pet hamster at Longfellow School learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher. Lafayette Spanish instructor Señora Leonardis tells us, "Humphrey el hámster va a dormir a la casa de un estudiante cada fin de semana."

Whooo Recommends Poppy? Ms. Fernandez!

Whooo's Reading? Poppy by Avi (159 pages, RL 4.5). Poppy, a tiny deer mouse, urges her family to move near a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying and tyrannical owl, has other ideas. Armed with the courage, determination, and wit of a hero, Poppy embarks on a dangerous quest, joined by grumpy-but-lovable porcupine Ereth, to defeat Mr. Ocax and lead her family to a better home.

Check out a video chat with Avi, 

Newbery Medal Winner and a Lafayette favorite author:

Book Beach Playground by Jake B.

Summer Time with a 2001 Newbery Honor Winner: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (182 pages, RL 3.9). In this long-time Lafayette favorite, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes all the good things that happen to her during her first summer in Naomi, Florida, all because of a large, homely dog named Winn-Dixie. Book Beach alumna Julia G. likes that the novel contains "a lot of detail and description."

Book Beach Road Trip by Miranda S.

A Sand-Castle Charmer: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo (267 pages, RL 4.7). Book Beachers love this 2004 Newbery Medal-winning fairy tale about Despereaux Tilling, a tiny mouse with big ears and an even bigger heart. Despereaux’s unusual talents and un-mouselike behavior bring disappointment to his family and earn him a trip to the castle dungeon. As we follow the tail-- and the tale-- of this extraordinary mouse, we meet a kidnapped princess named Pea, Miggery Sow, a servant girl wishing to be royalty, and Roscuro, a sneaky rat who is conniving to ruin them all. Book Beach alumni Peter H. recommends this book to readers who enjoy adventure and fantasy. He says, "I liked this book because it's magical and mysterious with four different stories mixed together."

Warriors Artwork by Cat H.

Epic Adventure and Four Clans of Fierce Felines! Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter (272 pages, RL 5.6). Rusty, a bored house kitten, is apprenticed by the ThunderClan and struggles to fit in when his group of feral cats is threatened by the enemy ShadowClan. Book Beach alumna Catherine H. reports, "It is a nice, long story that keeps my attention and satisfies my need for good reading material."

Thunderclan on The Book Beach.

Warriors Artwork by Cat H.

Book Beach Dolphin.

A Story from the Sea: The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse (181 pages, RL 3.5). It was an extraordinary Coast Guard rescue: a fifteen-year-old girl, believed lost at sea years ago and raised by dolphins until her discovery, attempts to elude her rescuers, running away with movements more animal than human. In time, the girl, called Mila for miracle, begins a re-introduction into the human world and records thoughts and observations about her new life using sophisticated computer technology. Book Beach alumna Emily C. shares, "I love this book because I love dolphins and happy endings."

The Music of Dolphins by Emily C.

Joyful Music: The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (251 pages, RL 5.4). Louis, a voiceless Trumpeter swan, finds himself far from his wilderness home and decides to communicate by learning to play a stolen trumpet. This timeless classic shares important lessons about overcoming obstacles and enjoys a special spot on The Book Beach. Book Beach alumni Ryan N. calls it "a very inspiring story."

Book Beach Park by Kendall.

Variety is the Spice of Life! Traditional Graham Cracker, Marshmallow, and Chocolate s'mores are yummy, but let's check out s'more variations:

Of course, we don’t recommend devouring s’mores and reading at the same time: we might end up with graham cracker crumbs sprinkled throughout Chapter One, marshmallow globs sticking pages together in Chapter Two, and Chocolate drizzled on important dialogue in Chapter Three. But once we’re done snacking, we'll wash our hands and dig into s’more summer reading!