Making a Splash with Summer Reading!

The calendar has flipped to August!
We're in the swim of things, enjoying splendid, sun-streaked days and spectacular, multi-hued sunsets on The Book Beach. Let’s celebrate the season with a selection of sand-between-our-toes summer reading!

Mrs. Cifrodella Gets into a Good Biography!

Plenty of Fish in the Sea, Plenty of Books on the Beach: Library Media Specialist Mrs. Cifrodella gets us started with a page-turning biography. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming (118 pages, RL 6.3) traces the life of the famous female aviator, from her childhood to her final flight and mysterious disappearance.

Summer Reading on The Book Beach by Patrick R.

Make Waves with a Memorable Memoir: In Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio (179 pages, RL 5.2), author Peg Kehret describes her childhood battle against polio and her long-term efforts to overcome devastating effects of the disease. Basic Skills Instructor Ms. Campbell recommends the memoir, calling it “an inspirational story… a book that you won’t be able to put down!”

Summer Reading in the Boat by Cornelia B.

Rock the Boat with a Graphic Memoir: In El Deafo (233 pages, RL 3.3), author/illustrator Cece Bell shares an autobiographical account of growing up hearing-impaired. Book Beach alumnae Kennedy and Georgia recommend this colorful memoir with endearing bunny characters, calling it a "great, true story" about friendship and overcoming challenges.

El Deafo Brochure by Kennedy and Georgia.

Summer Reading Suggestions from Mrs. Massam and Mrs. Patterson.

Meanwhile, LMC Aides Mrs. Massam and Mrs. Patterson declare that the coast is clear for smooth summer reading, recommending handfuls of Lafayette favorites:

Book Beach Panda.

Madcap Mystery in the Menagerie: Panda-monium by Stuart Gibbs (344 pages, RL 5.3). When twelve-year-old Teddy Fitzroy and his parents move into FunJungle, the nation’s largest zoo, Teddy becomes the resident sleuth, investigating a missing koala and saving rhinos from poachers. In Book Four in the FunJungle series, Teddy delves into the disappearance of Li Ping, a rare and expensive panda.

Book Beach Narwhal.

A Wonderfully Silly Whale of a Tale: Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton (64 pages, RL 2.4). Narwhal, a happy-go-lucky narwhal, and Jelly, a no-nonsense jellyfish, don’t have a lot in common, but they do share a love of waffles, parties, and adventure. Narwhal and Jelly graphic novels celebrate the importance of friendship and the power of imagination. Let's watch a National Geographic narwhal video:

Ready for More Summer Reading Are You? The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (141 pages, RL 4.1). Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with “loser” Dwight, who communicates with classmates via an Origami Yoda finger puppet. Origami Yoda correctly predicts the date of a pop quiz, solves the mystery of a stolen classroom Shakespeare bust, and rescues a classmate from social embarrassment. How can Origami Yoda be so wise when Dwight appears so incompetent?  Can the puppet really predict the future?  Tommy is determined to learn the truth.  As the story unfolds, we laugh a lot, realize that losers aren’t always losers, and discover that greatness sometimes comes in an unlikely package. Check out the author's Origami Yoda tutorial:

Catching a Wave by Audrey W.

Cat-ch a Wave of Reading Fun: Scat by Carl Hiaasen (371 pages, RL 5.5). Nick and Marta are suspicious when their biology teacher, the feared Mrs. Bunny Starch, disappears after a field trip to Black Vine Swamp in the Florida Everglades. Despite the police and headmaster’s insistence that nothing is wrong, the sleuthing friends embark on a madcap mission to find the missing educator.

Reading in a Lounge Chair by Cole P.

Made-in-the-Shade Mystery: Click Here to Start by Denis Markell (310 pages, RL 5.4). When twelve-year-old Ted Gerson, who spends most of his summer playing video games, inherits his great-uncle's overstuffed apartment "and all the treasure within," he realizes the apartment is set up like a real-life video game! As Ted and friends Caleb and Isabel work to unravel the mystery, they realize that someone dangerous is on their heels... and he's not about to let them get away with the fortune. Fifth-Grade Language Arts teacher Mrs. Erezuma recommends this adventure, declaring it “fun and action-packed.” She's reading in one of her favorite spots this summer… her front porch!

The Mystery on the Great Lakes by Jennifer O.

Smooth Sailing: The Mystery on the Great Lakes by Carole Marsh (158 pages, RL 4.4). In this title from the Real Kids, Real Places mystery series, brother and sister Grant and Christina spend their summer vacation exploring the Great Lakes with their grandparents, Mimi and Papa. Along the way, the family encounters island intrigue and mysteries involving shipwrecks and haunted lighthouses. 

That’s all from The Book Beach for now. Remember… when you open a good book, the world is your oyster!