The Book Beach at Lafayette School: July 2015

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Soaking Up Sun-Sational Summer Reading!

Summer at the Beach by Julia B.

I’m spending my summer at the beach… If you want to spend it at the library, go ahead. That’s how a character in I Kill the Mockingbird reacts to the prospect of summer reading. Happily, Lafayette readers will be spending time at the beach and at the library this summer—and sharing summer reading adventures here on the Book Beach! So let’s get the summer started… with sand and surf, blue skies and boardwalks… and a selection of fun summer stories and blog-worthy school stories:

I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora (166 pages, RL 4.1). Elena, Lucy, and Michael are happy to see To Kill a Mockingbird on their summer reading list. Unfortunately, not everyone shares their enthusiasm for Harper Lee’s classic… or for summer reading. The best friends devise a plan to get the entire town talking about the novel, but events spin out of control—into a book revolution!

Enthusiastic Summer Reader: Mrs. Collett Suggests I Kill the Mockingbird.

Summer at the Beach by Vivian V.

Summer’s like a pajama-and-cereal day—if you try to plan it out ahead of time, you wreck it. The protagonist of My Life as a Book makes a good point: some of the best things about summer involve less schedule and more spontaneous fun. Nonetheless, we’re planning on reading this book on our next pajama-and-cereal day:

My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian (211 pages, RL 4.7). Summer is finally here, and twelve-year-old Derek Fallon is looking forward to tossing water balloons, climbing onto the garage roof, and engaging in general silliness. When his parents decide to send him to learning camp, Derek’s plans for fun seemingly come to an end. Even though the reluctant reader does not complete his summer reading list, Derek learns important lessons, finds unexpected friendship, and experiences summer adventure. Check out a book commercial by Jack C:

Summer at the Beach by Sabrina.

School’s Out, School Stories In: The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming (186 pages, RL 3.9). In this fun-filled and pun-filled school story, an unconventional teacher takes over an unruly fourth grade class—with entertaining results. Mr. Jupiter, who makes mousy Miss Turner feel like a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a hot summer’s day—all sweet and drippy, leads his students on page-turning escapades, and we are treated to morals from Aesop’s fables at the close of each chapter.

Jake Gets into The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School.

The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming (170 pages, RL 4.4). In this fifth-grade sequel, students spend another school year learning fable-like lessons from madcap adventures and eccentric teachers—led by Mr. Jupiter, who—rumor has it—spent his summer spelunking in Zanzibar!

Summer at the Beach by Mackenzie.

Boys against Girls: No Talking by Andrew Clements (146 pages, RL 5.0). The loud and disorderly fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud and disorderly fifth grade girls to a No Talking contest. Who can say the fewest words? Will silence throw the school into chaos and confusion?

Quiet, Please: Ben A. and Ashley K. Get into No Talking.

July at the Beach by Hope E.

Lafayette Students Suggest Summer Reading from Our 2015 Visiting Author.

Framed by Gordon Korman (234 pages, RL 5.2). In an adventure from the Swindle series, Griffin Bing is in big trouble when a Super Bowl ring disappears from his middle school’s display case—and is replaced with Griffin’s retainer. The more Griffin and his friends investigate, the worse the situation becomes. Griffin's been framed!

Schooled by Gordon Korman (208 pages, RL 4.9). Capricorn Anderson lives in isolation with his grandmother, a former hippie. When Rain falls from a tree and injures her hip, Cap is sent to a foster home and has his first experience with public education. He knows about homeschooling… but nothing has prepared him for middle school!

Summer at the Beach by Hope A.

... Because Mr. Cleary Recommends Because of Mr. Terupt.

Summer Reading from Snow Hill School: Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea (269 pages, RL 4.1). Seven narrators—new girl Jessica, bossy Alexia, prankster Peter, brainy Luke, quiet Danielle, outcast Anna, and reluctant student Jeffrey—share stories from their fifth grade year with rookie teacher Mr. Terupt.

Book Beach Group: Ava, Delaney, Shayna, and Reese Read Because of Mr. Terupt.

A Warm-Hearted Sequel for Warm-Weather Reading: Mr. Terupt Falls Again by Andrew Clements (356 pages, RL 4.2). Seven student narrators, granted the opportunity to spend one more year with Mr. Terupt before graduating from elementary school, help their favorite teacher move his old classroom to the sixth grade annex during summer vacation.