Fifth Grade Summer Reading Lists Program

Fifth grade students should try to read at least 30 minutes per day over the summer. Include magazine articles and online content to prevent boredom. When possible, discuss what the child has read to ensure comprehension.

Check the summer movie listings for any upcoming films based on children's books. Plan for your child to read the book and then celebrate by seeing the movie and comparing the two. This can be done for movies on DVD as well and can be motivating for the reluctant reader who enjoys movies.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (Must Read)

Poetry can be daunting, especially for boys. When Jack's teacher keeps giving poetry assignments he learns how powerful poetry can be for expressing feelings. The free verse style will attract readers and open their eyes to poetry.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (Must Read)

Sixteen people attend the reading of Samuel Westing's will. To become millionaires they must play his mysterious game and discover how he died. This is a wonderfully intriguing mystery.

Lostman's River by Cynthia DeFelice

Tyler and his parents are hiding from the law in the Florida everglades. Their environmentalism leads them to trust a self-proclaimed naturalist who is actually a hunter. Adventure and keen description of the atmosphere will attract those readers who are fond of "green" issues.

The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

The students in Mrs. Olinski's sixth grade Academic Bowl team call themselves "The Souls". This novel explores each student's story as well as their special bond that leads them to academic success.

Holes by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats' family is cursed. This is never more obvious than when he gets sent to a juvenile detention center where each day the boys must dig a large hole. This book has won several major awards and been made into a movie. It is definitely worth reading.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Barry and Pearson are bestselling authors of adult fiction and nonfiction. Together, they present the events that came before JM Barrie's Peter Pan. The humor and action are more than enough to hold even the most reluctant reader's interest.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Another bestselling adult fiction writer, Hiaasen takes his humorous suspense style and presents this fantastic novel for kids. Bullying and conservation are both prominent themes.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

If your fifth grade student hasn't latched on to Harry Potter yet, this is a great time to get started. The book series explores friendship, good vs. evil, and so much more. The books are much better than the movies and millions of readers continue to enjoy them.

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin VanDraanen

Sammy Keyes thinks she's seen a robbery at the Heavenly Hotel. Now all she has to do is prove it. This young detective is smart and sassy and the series will appeal to many middle grade mystery lovers.

The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

The Cahill family has a very powerful history. When the wealthy matriarch dies, the remaining family members are given the choice of taking a million dollars or following clues to find the ultimate fortune. Amy and Dan, young siblings, choose to take the first clue.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Underneath New York City, there is a dark world called Underland. Gregor falls through a grate and finds himself in the dark land on the brink of war. The creatures and people in this place will have readers anxious to read the whole series.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

This is the first in the Brian's Saga series. After a plane crash, 13 year old Brian must survive in the Canadian wilderness with only his hatchet.