Teacher Summer Reading 2007 The June 2007 edition of the Innovative Teaching Newsletter will be our fifrth annual teacher summer reading issue! What are the best reads you've enjoyed over the past year? What titles would you strongly recommend for colleagues to take with them to the beach? To submit your recommendations, simply fill out the form at http://surfaquarium.com/summer_reading.htm. Please have your recommendations submitted by Friday, June 8, 2007. Thanks! Subscribe to the 2007-2008 Digital Dozen Newsletter Now and Save! Subscribe to the 2007-2008 Digital Dozen Newsletter and save $5 and receive your copy of Walter's "A Dozen Practical Considerations for Today’s Technology Leaders."

 

2007 Student Summer Reading List

Thanks to everyone who submitted their recommendations for this 2007 edition of student summer reading recommendations. Your input has helped make this issue a wonderfully comprehensive listing of best books for all ages K - 12! You will find that each title is hot linked to Barnes & Noble for quick online ordering, so that families can easily get their hands on recommended titles all summer. Here's to voracious reading and summers full of stories to remember!

Want to make summer reading come alive? Set up a blog for your students to discuss their reading all summer long! Want to hear how well it works? Listen to this podcast: http://www.mascd.org/publications/Perspectives/podcasts/Clapp_Gallagher.mp3

 

And now 2007 recommended summer reading for teachers:

The Alchemyst : The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by Michael Scott -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&cds2Pid=3059&kids=Y&isbn=0385733577
"Hot off the press - an alchemyst who supposively died 600 years ago is missing from his tomb - could he truly have found the secret to immortality?" - Maryann Thibedeau

 

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0375831002&itm=24
"Set in WWII Germany, this story shares a love of books and literature via a plot that could only take place in historical fiction. " - Sandra Little

 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780385751063&itm=1
"It is a modern day fable of the Holocaust." - Maureen Marullo

 

The Bravest Knight
by Mercer Mayer -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0803732066&itm=10
"This is a re-write of a 1968 classic Mayer book - wonderfully done and a winner for his fans. " - Walter

 

Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=1868722066&itm=1
"This is a great book about comuing of age. This book would be great for rising 5th and 6th graders. It is also a major motion picture. it is also a Newbery Medal winner." - Chuck Love

 

The Doll People
by Ann Martin -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780786812400&itm=1
"This story is a mystery.  The dolls in the story come to life.  This story is fun and whimsical." - Chuck Love

 

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
by Jane O'Connor -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0060542136&itm=15
"Colorful illustrations and colorful language stimulate the reader's imagination and inspire many readings of this delightful picture book! " - Norma Dixon

 

Fever 1793
by Laurie Halse Anderson -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0689848919&itm=21
"This book puts the 'realistic' in contemporary realistic fiction." - Ellen Gallagher

 

The Giver
by Lois Lowry -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0440237688&itm=15
"A parable about coming of age and struggling to figure out the 'secrets' of adulthood . If you have enjoyed her work in the past you will definitely want to recommend this title to your students for summer reading. " - Yolanda Templeton

 

Indian Captive
by Lois Lenski -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780064461627&itm=1
"This is based on a true story.  Mary Jemison was taken captive by Indians in Pennsylvania.  She is taken to western New York to live with the Indians.  She is taught their ways.  She is given the chance to leave and she struggles with doing that because she has grown use to the people that captured her.  This book is a Newbery Honor book." - Chuck Love

 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0439813786&itm=11
"I love the way this book lets the pictures do more of the storytelling than the text. The mystery and its related surprise twists makes this a pleasure to read. A definite summer recommendation." - Kara Richardson

 

The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781594480003&itm=1
" Gives good insight to growing up in another country that we rarely hear about." - Lo Cunningham

"The story elements, particularly the setting, characters, and plot, are contemporary and timely. The Kite Runner gets to the heart of culture, character, and loyalty amidst chaos. Recommended for advanced readers at the secondary level." - Charlie Pitrolo

 

Looking for Alaska
by John Green -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0142402516&itm=3
"A striking, endearing, tragic look at finding meaning in young adult life. Definitely not for children. " - S. Alonzo

 

Marley: A Dog Like No Other
by John Grogan -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&kids=y&cds2Pid=13870&isbn=0061240338
"Marley is a loving, funny labrador who warms the hearts of my students. A must read for all ages! " - Jen Mercurio

 

New Moon
by Stephanie Meyer -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0316160199&itm=6
"The character development is so well done, it drives the story through its many sub-plots. You may also want to read Twlight by the same author. " - Jocelyn Jarvis

 

Pants on Fire
by Meg Cabot -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&cds2Pid=3059&kids=Y&isbn=0060880155
"From the author of the Princess Diaries so it's sure to be popular with adolescent girls. " - Suneeta Barnes

 

The Penderwicks : A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
by Jeanne Birdsall -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0440420474&itm=12
"This is a compelling read about four sisters and a summer of growth, revelation and self-understanding. I highly recimmend this book for upper elementary and middle school girls. " - Beth Sanchez

 

Pilgrims of Rayne
by D.J. MacHale -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&kids=y&cds2Pid=13870&isbn=1416914161
"For those who have been reading the Pendragon Series, this book has lots of plot twists and is really satisfying in the way familiar characters are growing up. This is the 8th book in the series. " - Amanda Payne

 

Red Kayak
by Priscilla Cummings -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780142405734&itm=1
"I have read this Rebecca Caudill nominee as a read aloud in my fourth grade classroom for the past two years. The students love it! It grabs you with a heartwrenching tale that deals with secrets, loyalty, friendship,and "doing what is right". Students are able to ponder what they would do in the situations, and discuss the reasons why people do what they do. The novel appeals to both boys and girls alike, but probably should not be read by those under the fourth grade. Intermediate and above should leap in and enjoy!" - Jill Sandberg

 

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0142407321&itm=22
"A powerful examination of transition to high school, friends and loneliness. " - Ellen Gallagher

 

Summer Ball
by Mike Lupicai -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&kids=y&cds2Pid=13870&isbn=0399244875&pv=y&inframe=y
"A student goes away to basketball summer camp and grows as a person and a player. " - Jim Oberman

 

Sunset Warriors
by Erin Hunter -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0060827696&itm=13
"This is the sixth book in the Prophecy series; my 8th grade boys couldn't put it down! " - Ken Cummings

 

The Titan's Curse
by Rick Riordan -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&kids=y&cds2Pid=13870&isbn=1423101456&pv=y&inframe=y
"This is the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. A great read for those who enjoy Harry Potter. " - Susie Rivera

 

The Wednesday Wars
by Gary Schmidt -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?z=y&kids=y&cds2Pid=13870&isbn=0618724834
"Holling is a conflicted seventh grader trying to figure out where he fits in; the themes of motivation and destiny are strong and well developed. " - J.D. Smyth

 

Year of Wonders : A Novel of the Plague
by Geraldine Brooks -
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0142001430&itm=5
"If you love historical fiction and are intrigued with medieval times, this book will entice you to read and savor its story. " - Walter

 

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