West Haven Summer Reading 2018
Grades Kindergarten - Grade 12
HOW TO USE THE SUMMER READING LIST
Welcome to a list of some of the wonderful books that West Haven school librarians have organized as suggested reading for you in elementary, intermediate, middle or high school.
You are encouraged to try any of the recommended books for your grade level in the fall. You are also encouraged to read books that you enjoy that may not be on this list.
The more reading you do this summer, the better prepared you will be for the next school year...and for the rest of your life!
Find a quiet spot, curl up with a good book, and READ!
Kindergarten - Grade 2 Summer Reading
Here are a few suggestions from the Kindergarten-Grade 2 reading list. For more suggestions, click link here.
Ada Twist, ScientistAda Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty. Scientist Ada has a boundless curiosity. When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source. She is not afraid of failure, but this time, her experiments lead to even more stink and get her into trouble! | The Princess in Black The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale. Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! (Series) | Comets, Stars, the Moon, and MarsComets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars by Douglas Florian. A collection of twenty whimsical poems about comets, the stars, moon, and the planets. |
Ada Twist, Scientist
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty.
Scientist Ada has a boundless curiosity. When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source. She is not afraid of failure, but this time, her experiments lead to even more stink and get her into trouble!
The Princess in Black
How Many Baby Pandas? How Many Baby Pandas? by Sandra Markle. Basic counting skills combine with panda facts to introduce numbers along with these cuddly cubs, from the moment they were born to the time they started climbing trees, these baby pandas will steal any reader’s heart! | A Perfectly Messed-Up Story A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell. Louie becomes angry when the story in which he appears is ruined by messes from jelly, peanut butter, and other things that don’t belong in books. | Lego Hero Factory Series and Lego Star Wars SeriesLego Hero Factory Series and Lego Star Wars Series books. These multi-level readers combine Legos and Star Wars mini-figures and are perfect for reluctant readers. (Graphic Novel) |
How Many Baby Pandas?
Basic counting skills combine with panda facts to introduce numbers along with these cuddly cubs, from the moment they were born to the time they started climbing trees, these baby pandas will steal any reader’s heart!
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
Louie becomes angry when the story in which he appears is ruined by messes from jelly, peanut butter, and other things that don’t belong in books.
Grade 3- Grade 4 Summer Reading
2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids by Amy Zuckerman. Futurists examine what a kid’s daily life might be like in the year 2030. Peek at future gadgets (talking dog collars, cars that drive themselves) and examine how our lives might be impacted as we adjust to environmental change. | Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman. Introducing Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny! She is the BEST bunjitsu artist in her school, and she can throw farther, kick higher, and hit harder than anyone else! | Squish Squish by Jennifer Holm. A new graphic novel series about a comic book-loving, twinkie-eating grade school amoeba trying to find his place in the world (or at least trying to make it through a school day). Can Squish save the world--and his friends--from the forces of evil lurking in the hallways? |
2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids
Futurists examine what a kid’s daily life might be like in the year 2030. Peek at future gadgets (talking dog collars, cars that drive themselves) and examine how our lives might be impacted as we adjust to environmental change.
Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny
Introducing Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny! She is the BEST bunjitsu artist in her school, and she can throw farther, kick higher, and hit harder than anyone else!
Squish
A new graphic novel series about a comic book-loving, twinkie-eating grade school amoeba trying to find his place in the world (or at least trying to make it through a school day). Can Squish save the world--and his friends--from the forces of evil lurking in the hallways?
Golden Domes & Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors Golden Domes & Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan. Capturing the colorful world of Islam, this informative picture book celebrates Islam’s beauty and traditions. Readers learn about clothing, food, and other elements of Islamic culture | Class Dismissed Class Dismissed by Allan Woodrow. Class 507 is terrible. After a disastrous science experiment, Ms. Bryce quits and walks out, but the school office never finds out. Students begin to realize that school without a teacher is not easy, cooperating is difficult, and keeping a secret is hard! | Wet Cement : A Mix of Concrete Poems Wet Cement : A Mix of Concrete Poems by Bob Raczka. Comparing poems to “word paintings,” in each of his 21 concrete poems, Raczka groups the words into shapes. Raczka playfully arranges the letters in the one-word titles of his poems as well. |
Golden Domes & Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors
Class Dismissed
Class 507 is terrible. After a disastrous science experiment, Ms. Bryce quits and walks out, but the school office never finds out. Students begin to realize that school without a teacher is not easy, cooperating is difficult, and keeping a secret is hard!
Read 15 Minutes a Day!
Reading aloud for as little as 15 minutes a day is the best way to stop the summer
slide that so many school-age children experience.
Carrigan Summer Reading: Grades 5 & 6
Synopsis:
Strangers stared at him, kids called him names, and adults could be cruel in their own ways. Everybody seemed to agree that Robert was "ugly." But Robert refused to let his face dictate his entire life. Then, when Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are.
Review:
Everybody who reads this will learn empathy and have more compassion. Hopefully, it will give people the power to stand up for others when they see others being bullied or even to stand up for themselves.

Bailey Summer Reading
West Haven High School
Sharing summer reading on PADLET apps by grade level:
Grade 10: https://padlet.com/WHHS/eng2
Grade 11: https://padlet.com/WHHS/eng3
Grade 12: https://padlet.com/WHHS/eng4