2020 Suggested Summer Reading - 4th Grade - Radnor ...

2020 Suggested Summer Reading – 4th Grade
Popular Fiction
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass (RL: 4.1). After celebrating their first nine same-day birthdays together, Amanda
and Leo, having fallen out on their tenth and not speaking to each other for the last year, prepare to celebrate their eleventh
birthday separately but peculiar things begin to happen as the day of their birthday begins to repeat itself over and over again.
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko (RL: 3.5). Twelve-year-old Moose moves to
Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his
extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.
Attack of the Turtle by Drew Carson (RL: 4.2). During the Revolutionary War, fourteen-year-old
Nathan joins forces with his older cousin, the inventor David Bushnell, to secretly build the first submarine
used in naval warfare.
Because of Winn‐Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (RL: 3.9). Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her
first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big
ugly dog Winn-Dixie
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (RL: 4.6). The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural
Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death
trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (RL: 4.9). Each of five children lucky enough to
discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the
situation in his own way.
Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn (RL: 4.3). When thirteen-year-old Logan and his
family move into a run-down old house in rural Virginia, he discovers that a woman was murdered there
and becomes involved with his neighbor Arthur in a dangerous investigation to try to uncover the killer.
The Crossover: A Basketball Novel by Kwame Alexander (RL: 4.3). Fourteen-year-old twin
basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores
his declining health.
Drizzle by Kathleen Van Cleve (RL: 4.1). When a drought threatens her family's magical rhubarb
farm, eleven-year-old Polly tries to find a way to make it rain again.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang (RL: 4.5). After emigrating from China, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents
take a job managing a rundown motel, despite the nasty owner, Mr. Yao, who exploits them, while she
works the front desk and tries to cope with fitting in at her school.
Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman (RL: 4.0). Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against
thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his
family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling money from Golly
Toy and Game Company.
The Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson (RL: 3.9). Eight-year-old Steve Satlow is thrilled
when Jackie Robinson moves into his Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn in 1948, although many of his
neighbors are not, and when Steve actually meets his hero he is even more excited--and worried that a
misunderstanding over a Christmas tree could damage his new friendship.

Radnor Township School District 2020 Suggested Summer Reading List                                    Dahlstrom, McCloy, Piechotta

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor (RL: 4.0). Living in the family car in their small North Carolina town
after their father leaves them virtually penniless, Georgina, desperate to improve their situation and unwilling to accept her
overworked mother's calls for patience, persuades her younger brother to help her in an elaborate scheme to get money by
stealing a dog and then claiming the reward that the owners are bound to offer.
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (RL: 4.9). Through a series of poems, a young girl
chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and
resettle in Alabama.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (RL: 5.1). When twelve-year-old Hugo, an
orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious
toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman (RL: 4.9). Eighth-grade football hero Wallace Wallace is
sentenced to detention attending rehearsals of the school play where, in spite of himself, he becomes
wrapped up in the production and begins to suggest changes that improve not only the play but his life as
well.
No Talking by Andrew Clements (RL: 5.0). The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School
challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to a "no talking" contest.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (RL: 4.9). In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark,
then-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish
friend from the Nazis.
One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (RL: 3.6). When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years
in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he
decides that he must find her a better life.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (RL: 4.3). Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a
brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to
speak for the first time.
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson (RL: 4.2). Twelve-year-old Candice Miller is spending
the summer in Lambert, South Carolina, in the old house that belonged to her grandmother. She sets out
to find the inheritance, exonerate her grandmother, and expose an injustice once committed against an
African American family in Lambert.
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale (RL: 3.7). Rapunzel, having grown up in a lovely castle with
the woman she thought was her mother, is placed in a very tall hollow tree as punishment after her
curiosity prompts her to climb the castle wall and look at the ruin of the world beyond her home, but she is
able to escape and, with the help of Jack, embarks on a plan to free the land from the grip of the witch.
Real Friends by Shannon Hale (RL: 2.6). Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were
little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called
The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen's #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means
bullying others.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff (R: 4.4). Relates the tale of
Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth, explaining why his name is so important, how he is able to spin
straw into gold, and why a first-born child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen.
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks (RL: 4.8). Ravi has just moved to the United States from India and has always
been at the top of his class; Joe has lived in the same town his whole life and has learning problems--but when their lives
intersect in the first week of fifth grade they are brought together by a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and the
need to take control of their lives.
Savvy by Ingrid Law (RL: 6.5). Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has
revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible
accident.
Smile by Raina Telgemeier (RL: 2.6). An autobiography in graphic novel format describes how the
author lost two of her front teeth in an accident when she was twelve, and her subsequent struggles with
various corrective dental techniques throughout adolescence.
Superfudge by Judy Blume (RL: 3.9). Peter describes the highs and lows of life with his younger
brother Fudge.

Radnor Township School District 2020 Suggested Summer Reading List                                        Dahlstrom, McCloy, Piechotta

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler (RL: 3.8). After finally convincing her mother that she
should take swimming lessons, twelve-year-old Emily discovers a terrible and wonderful secret about
herself that opens up a whole new world.
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz (RL: 4.6). Follows Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own
story and into eight more tales, encountering such wicked creatures as witches, along with kindly strangers and other helpful folk.
Based in part on the Grimms' fairy tales Faithful Johannes, Hansel and Gretel, The seven ravens, Brother and sister, The robber
bridegroom, and The devil and his three golden hairs.
The Tale of Desperaux by Kate Dicamillo (RL:4.1) The adventures of Desperaux Tilling, a small
mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a
devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (RL: 3.8). Peter finds his demanding two-year-
old brother an ever-increasing problem.
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (RL: 4.1). A young disabled girl and
her brother are evacuated from London to the English countryside during World War II, where they find
life to be much sweeter away from their abusive mother.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (RL: 4.5). As her mother prepares to be a contestant on
the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to
make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the
laws of time and space.
A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry (RL: 4.3). A young wolf cub, separated from his pack,
journeys 1000 miles across the Pacific Northwest, dealing with forest fires, hunters, highways, and
hunger before finding a new home. Based on the true story of a wolf called OR-7.

INFORMATIONAL
El Deafo by Cece Bell (RL: 3.3). A graphic novel memoir of author/illustrator Cece Bell who grew up
hearing impaired.
Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins (RL: 5.7). Profiles a series of animals
with unusual eyes, and explains how such animals use their uniquely evolved eyes to gain essential
information about the biological world.
The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by
Elizabeth Rusch (RL: 6.4). The Mighty Mars Rovers tells the greatest space robot adventure of all time
through the eyes—and heart—of Steven Squyres, professor of astronomy at Cornell University and lead
scientist on the mission.
Pop: The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy (RL: 4.8). A collection of amusing
historical facts on the invention of bubble gum.
This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids Around the World by Matt
Lamothe (RL: 3.8). Tells the daily activities of seven children from around the world.
Who Was Ben Franklin? by Dennis B. Fradin (RL: 4.4). A biography of the eighteenth-century
printer, publisher, inventor, scientist, and statesman who played an influential role in the early history of
the United States.
Women Who Broke the Rules (Series) by Kathleen Krull. Many awe-inspiring women have changed the
course of history. From fighting for social justice and women's rights to discovering and shaping our amazing country, women
have left an indelible mark on our past, present, and future. But it's not easy to affect change, and these women didn't always
play by the rules to make a difference!

Radnor Township School District 2020 Suggested Summer Reading List                                      Dahlstrom, McCloy, Piechotta

Poetry
Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman (RL: 4.0). A collection of poems
that celebrate the wonder, mystery, and danger of the night and describes the many things that hide in
the dark.
Every Thing on It by Shel Silverstein (RL: 3.4). A collection of more than 130 original, never-before
published poems and drawings by Shel Silverstein.
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex (RL: 4.0). Contains twenty humorous poems
about the bad habits, anxieties, and other fears and foibles of monsters.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (RL: 3.9). A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl
who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the
author's own drawings.

                                    Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice
                                      Grades 3-6 Nominees 2020-2021
  Title                                                              Author

  All That Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge
                                                                     Meghan McCarthy
  and Our Problem with Stuff

  Because of the Rabbit                                              Cynthia Lord

  Best Friends                                                       Shannon Hale and Pham LeUyen

  Blended                                                            Sharon M. Draper

  Click                                                              Kayla Miller

  The Doughnut Fix                                                   Jessie Janowitz

  Dragons in a Bag                                                   Zetta Eliott

  Finding Langston                                                   Lesa Cline-Ransome

  Front Desk                                                         Kelly Yang

  Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of
                                                                     Sarah Aronson
  the Man Behind the Machines

  Not If I Can Help It                                               Carolyn Mackler

  Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How
                                                                     Tanya Lee Stone
  Monopoly Was Invented

  The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise                           Dan Gemeinhart

  The Season of Styx Malone                                          Kekla Magoon

  Wedgie & Gizmo                                                     Suzanne Selfors,

Radnor Township School District 2020 Suggested Summer Reading List                   Dahlstrom, McCloy, Piechotta

Series                                        Author
   Amulet                                        Kazu Kibuishi
   Babysitter’s Club (graphica)                  Ann M. Martin
   Baseball Card Adventures                      Dan Gutman
   Big Nate                                      Lincoln Peirce
   Brixton Brothers                              Mac Barnett
   Diary of a Wimpy Kid                          Jeff Kinney
   Doll People                                   Ann M. Martin
   Dork Diaries                                  Rachel Renee Russell
   Dragonbreath                                  Ursula Vernon
   Fudge                                         Judy Blume
   FunJungle                                     Stuart Gibbs
   Goosebumps                                    R.L. Stine
   Gregor the Overlander                         Suzanne Collins
   Humphrey                                      Betty G. Birney
   I Funny                                       James Patterson
   I Survived                                    Lauren Tarshis
   Lemonade War                                  Jacqueline Davies
   Percy Jackson                                 Rick Riordan
   Middle School                                 James Patterson
   My Life as a …                                Janet Tashjian
   Mysterious Benedict Society                   Trenton Lee Stewart
   Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales                 Nathan Hale
   Penderwicks                                   Jeanne Birdsall
   Percy Jackson                                 Rick Riordan
   Poison Apple                                  (various)
   Popularity Papers                             Amy Ignatow
   Sisters Grimm                                 Michael Buckley
   Stick Dog/Cat                                 Tom Watson
   Terrible Two                                  Mac Barnett
   Timmy Failure                                 Stephen Pastis
   Treehouse Series                              Andy Griffiths
   Upside Down Magic                             Sarah Mlynowski
   Warriors: Into the Wild                       Erin Hunter
   Willow Falls                                  Wendy Mass
   Wings of Fire                                 Tui Sutherland

Radnor Township School District 2020 Suggested Summer Reading List      Dahlstrom, McCloy, Piechotta