Grade Four Summer Reading List
2011Required Text:
1. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
At age 11, Caddie Woodlawn is the despair of her mother and the pride of her father: a clock-fixing tomboy running wild in the woods of Wisconsin. In 1864, this is a bit much for her Boston-bred mother to bear, but Caddie and her brothers are happy with the status quo. Written in 1935 about Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother's childhood, the adventures of Caddie and her brothers are still exciting over 60 years later. With each chapter comes another ever-more exciting adventure: a midnight gallop on her horse across a frozen river to warn her American Indian friends of the white men's plan to attack; a prairie fire approaching the school house; and a letter from England that may change the family's life forever. This Newbery Medal-winning book bursts at the seams with Caddie's irrepressible spirit. In spite of her mother's misgivings, Caddie is a perfect role model for any girl--or boy, for that matter. She's big-hearted, she's brave, and she's mechanically inclined!
1 Setting: The setting of a story is the time and place in which it occurs. How important is the setting to the plot of Caddie Woodlawn? Explain using details from the text.
2. Choose two books from the following list. Complete the Literature Task.
Compare and contrast the main characters from both novels. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different? How does the setting impact the characters?
Write a well-structured essay on loose-leaf using paragraph form to answer the questions. Be sure to include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Include specific examples from the text to support your answers. Check your writing for spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.
Choose two books from the following list:
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Leslie Blume
Eleven-year-old Cornelia is the daughter of two world-famous pianists--a legacy that should feel fabulous, but instead feels just plain lonely. She surrounds herself with dictionaries and other books to isolate herself from the outside world. But when a glamorous neighbor named Virginia Somerset moves next door with her servant Patel and a mischievous French bulldog named Mister Kinyatta, Cornelia discovers that the world is a much more exciting place than she had originally thought.
The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.
Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke
A magical story about a girl named Igraine, who dreams of becoming a famous knight. When the nefarious nephew of the baroness shows up with plans to capture the castle, its up to Igraine to be brave and save the day.
The Green Dog by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Something has made the dog--and the water in the pool--green. What is it? Will Teddy save his pet-sitting business and prove he's responsible enough to have a dog of his own?
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Unfortunately, Roy's first acquaintance in Florida is Dana Matherson, a well-known bully. Then again, if Dana hadn't been sinking his thumbs into Roy's temples and mashing his face against the school-bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy. And the running boy is intriguing: he was running away from the school bus, carried no books, and -- here's the odd part -- wore no shoes. Sensing a mystery, Roy sets himself on the boy's trail. The chase introduces him to some burrowing owls, a renegade eco-avenger, and several extremely poisonous snakes with unnaturally sparkling tails.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The gates of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory are opening at last, and only five children will be allowed inside. Each of the five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory will take advantage of the situation in his own way.
Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull by Kathleen Krull
Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to do many things: the first woman to own a newspaper, to speak before Congress, and to have a seat on the stock exchange. But her boldest act was announcing herself as the first female candidate for the presidency of the United States in 1872--before women even had the right to vote. Arguably one of the most revolutionary women in American history, she was many years ahead of her time, braking boundaries. But her presidential campaign, and the backlash it sparked, left her in political ruin and bankruptcy. Amazingly, her name has been practically erased from history.
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Balliett’s novel mixes mystery, puzzles, possibilities, and art. The story is set in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood at the University of Chicago's Lab School, where Balliett was a teacher. There, outsiders Petra and Calder become friends as they try to find out what happened to a missing Vermeer painting.
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Two girls get involved in an elaborate "Egypt game," a fantasy game that soon leads to strange, unexplainable happenings.
Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
A boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate.
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
This immensely popular children's story is told from the point of view of a dog named Harold. It all starts when Harold's human family, the Monroes, goes to see the movie Dracula, and young Toby accidentally sits on a baby rabbit wrapped in a bundle on his seat. How could the family help but take the rabbit home and name it Bunnicula? Chester, the literate, sensitive, and keenly observant family cat, soon decides there is something weird about this rabbit. Pointy fangs, the appearance of a cape, black-and-white coloring, nocturnal habits … it sure seemed like he was a vampire bunny. When the family finds a white tomato in the kitchen, sucked dry and colorless, well … Chester becomes distraught and fears for the safety of the family. "Today, vegetables. Tomorrow … the world!" he warns Harold. But when Chester tries to make his fears known to the Monroes, he is completely misunderstood, and the results are truly hilarious. Is Bunnicula really a vampire bunny?
Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This timeless classic is a poignant tale of Mary, a lonely orphaned girl sent to a Yorkshire mansion at the edge of a vast lonely moor. At first, she is frightened by this gloomy place until she meets a local boy, Dickon, who's earned the trust of the moor's wild animals, the invalid Colin, an unhappy boy terrified of life, and a mysterious, abandoned garden...
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingles Wilder
Pa Ingalls decides to sell the little log house, and the family sets out for Indian country! They travel from Wisconsin to Kansas, and there, finally, Pa builds their little house on the prairie. Sometimes farm life is difficult, even dangerous, but Laura and her family are kept busy and happy with the promise of their new life on the prairie.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Although he lacks a voice in the traditional "Ko-hoh!" sense, trumpeter swan Louis learns to speak to the world with a trumpet stolen from a music store by his father. With the support of an unusual boy named Sam, who helps Louis learn how to read and write, the swan has some rather unswanlike adventures and ultimately wins the love--and the freedom--of a beautiful swan named Serena.
Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Because of Winn-Dixie, a big, ugly, happy dog, 10-year-old Opal learns 10 things about her long-gone mother from her preacher father. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal makes new friends among the somewhat unusual residents of her new hometown, Naomi, Florida. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal begins to find her place in the world and let go of some of the sadness left by her mother's abandonment seven years earlier.
Go to Links for interactive websites!
Supply List
Supplies will need to be replenished throughout the school year.
6 large black & white hard-covered composition notebooks labeled with student’s name and the following: Science, Social Studies, Writer’s Journal, French, Novels/Literature, and Homework
1 graph notebook – labeled Math
8 two-pocket folders labeled with student’s name and the following: Math, Science, Social Studies, Writing, French, Tests, Novels/Literature, and Homework
1 Blue or black pen
1 Red or green pen
#2 pencils
1 box of Crayola Twistable crayons
1 twelve-inch ruler (with metric measurements also)
1 pair of safety scissors
1 package of loose-leaf paper in a folder labeled with student’s name - for school
1 package of loose-leaf for home
2 boxes of tissues for the classroom
1 roll of scotch tape
1 glue stick
1 paperback dictionary for home use
1 yellow pad
1 Hi-lighter
1 large soft pencil case
2 packages of small index cards (one for school and one for home)
1 index card box
1 set of alphabetical dividers for the index card box
Please label all your supplies with your name – including backpack, lunchbox, and all clothing.
$11.00 for magazine subscriptions – labeled in an envelope Cash or check to: Visitation Academy
Calculator – Texas Instrument Scientific Calculator TI – 34 Multi View
This calculator will also be used in Middle School