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Parkview School Summer Reading

Summer 2026

Parkview SchoolSummer Reading Summer 2026

😎Why Reading over the Summer Matters😎 😎Why Reading over the Summer Matters😎

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As the final bell of the school year approaches, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about keeping those young minds active and curious over the break! While summer is definitely for sunshine and play, consistent reading is the best way to ensure your child returns in the fall ready to succeed. Research shows that "summer slide" is a real challenge, with students losing an average of two to three months of reading progress when they don't pick up a book during the holidays. To help make finding the right book easy and fun, I've put together a curated list of reading selections tailored to every interest—from high-energy adventures to fascinating nonfiction. Whether it’s ten minutes before bed or a rainy afternoon on the porch, a little bit of reading goes a long way in turning that summer slide into a summer leap!

Required Summer Work Grades 1-3 Required Summer Work Grades 1-3

Kindergarten to 1st Grade
First Grade to Second Grade
Second Grade to Third Grade
Third to Fourth Grade

📚Suggested Reading From Miss Klinger📚 📚Suggested Reading From Miss Klinger📚

Picture Books Picture Books

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Go and Get with Rex by David LaRochelle

Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must go and get, something that begins with a certain letter. While Jack’s and Jill’s picks always fit the bill (What starts with F,? Frog! Fish!), Rex keeps getting it wrong (a duck?)—or does he?
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Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb

Introducing a sweet and silly buffalo who tries to bluff and fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. This laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.

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Cranky by Phuc Tran and Pete Oswald

It's the last day at the construction site and Cranky the crane truck is feeling, well, cranky. And he doesn't want to talk about it. His friends Zippy, Wheezy, and Dump Chuck try to cheer him up. But you know what doesn't help when you're feeling cranky? A lot of talking.
But what will help?

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Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson

Why, dear reader, must you NEVER EVER trust fish?
1) They spend all their time in the water where we can’t see them.
2) Some are as big as a bus—that is not okay.
3) We don't know what they're teaching in their "schools."
4) They are likely plotting our doom.
This nature-guide-gone-wrong is a hilarious, off-the-rails exploration of the seemingly innocent animals that live in the water.

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Worm Makes a Sandwich by Brianne Farley

Meet Worm. He might be little. He might have no hands. But Worm would love to make a sandwich, just for you!This hilarious, engaging picture book is the perfect introduction to the process of composting from start to finish, told from the perspective of one little worm who is very eager to help.

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The Peanut Man by Carmen Agra Deedy

The story of a Cuban refugee and her joy in an unexpected encounter that connects her beloved home in Havana with her new home in Atlanta
Each evening Coqui waits for the familiar cry of the Peanut Man—"¡Mani! Peanuts!”—and watches for him to appear on the street below her window.

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The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything by Nadia Ahmed

When you're a fraidy-ghost, enjoying Halloween is hard! He's afraid of everything--the color orange, trees, people, even flying! But then he realizes that if he wants his favorite Halloween candy, he'll need to overcome his fears. Through incremental exposures to the things he's afraid of, Finn finds courage to do things he enjoys with the people he loves.
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Hank Goes Honk by Maudie Powell-Tuck

Hank is one rude goose. He doesn't see anything wrong with interrupting others when they're speaking. He helps himself to the cherries on the top of other people's cupcakes. He makes loud noises in the library and movie theater...and he's upsetting everyone!But being rude, loud, and obnoxious can't always be fun--in fact, it can be downright lonely. Will Hank find a way to be more considerate of his friends? This humorous story presents the themes of friendship, recognizing others' feelings, and being considerate of those around us.
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Lucky Duck by Greg Pizzoli

Susan the duck has the worst luck. Her rollerskates are two sizes too big. She's lost her favorite marble. And she's run out of pickles.
But with each unfortunate discovery, Wolf shows up with a gift she's won. Her luck has turned around . . . hasn't it? Come see just how lucky Susan is, in this slyly funny story about finding luck when you least expect it.
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Flat Cat Class Pet by Tara Lazar

Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn’t squashed under the lunch lady’s rolling pin. He wasn’t smushed by an avalanche of library books. He was just flat. And most of the time, Flat Cat liked it just like that.

Until one day, when Flat Cat, in the mood for a change of scenery, slips into his friend Willow’s backpack and accompanies her to school, where he gets folded into a paper airplane, passed as a secret note, and used as a bathroom pass. Will Flat Cat be able to escape the chaos? Or will he realize he is keen to be loved and adored?
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Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman

Axolotl snacks-alotl.
And lives life to the max-alotl.
Little brother Axolittle
likes to study facts a little.

For total opposites like these two, sometimes differences can lead them to poke-a-little and joke-a-little, then shout-a-lotl and pout-a-lotl. This axo-lutely hilarious new read-aloud about fighting and making up is a must-buy for siblings and friends who need to chill their gills and learn to get along.
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Caboose by Travis Jonker

Every kid knows the joy of being line leader. You can make the line go fast. You can make the line go slow. You can stop suddenly and make the line crash—oh, the power! Cedric has all sorts of tricks to make sure he’s first in line. There’s the fast walk, the slow run, the shoulder tap, the slingshot, and so much more. But when Cedric’s line leader antics go too far, he’s banished to the back of the line. The very back of the line.Now that Cedric’s the caboose, he must hatch a whole new world of hijinks. The turtle walk, the step back, the cloak of invisibility, the “no, no, after you!” The possibilities are endless!
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The Future by Mac Barnett

Every other book was written in the past. But this book? This book was written in the future. Do you want to know what the future is like? Turn the pages to get a glimpse at the world of tomorrow and its unexpected words, strange social customs, and mind-blowing colors! From the award-winning duo Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris comes a funny, visionary picture book that kids will want to read again and again.

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It's My Bird-Day by Mo Willems

The Pigeon has the hat. And the hot dog cake! He is ready for the presents! But ... do YOU think The Pigeon can handle his BIG bird-day surprise!?!

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The Wombats go Wild for Words by Beth Ferry

Evergreen Forest is a very nice forest, with very nice trees and very nice animals. It’s a rather dull place, but no one says a word about it. In fact, no one says very many words at all! And therein lies the problem.Until the word-loving wandering wombats arrive.
Slowly, the inhabitants of Evergreen Forest become mesmerized as they realize that words are not just fun, they are inspiring.

Beginning Readers Beginning Readers

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Ty Travels: Super Ty by Kelly Starling Lyons

The story follows Ty, who uses his imagination to become a superhero, helping his mom and encouraging others before learning that his brother is his best "super friend". It focuses on kindness and imagination
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What Would You Rather Be? Black Bear vs. Black Mamba by J. Pallotta

Play a fierce game of Would You Rather in this engaging Level 1 Scholastic Reader, from the bestselling author of Who Would Win?Would you rather fish with a Black Bear or hunt with a Black Mamba? Let's find out! Earl and Worm have been friends for a very, very long time, but their friendship had a rocky start.
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Towed by Toad Jashar Awan


Toad and his tow truck are always on the move to lend a hand to anyone who needs help. Whether it’s a flat tire or engine trouble, it’s Toad to the rescue!

Pop does his best to try to get Toad to slow down and take care of himself, but there always seems to be someone else who needs to be towed by Toad. How can he say no?

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Stop that Mop! by Jonathan Fenske

Chase a runaway mop in this hilarious, rhyming Level 1 Ready-to-Read by award-winning author-illustrator Jonathan Fenske!
Meet a mop. The mop does not want to mop the slop. See the mop run away. Can anyone stop this mop?

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Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee

Sir Ladybug—the duke of the dandelion patch, champion of truth and justice—is on a new quest! He and his herald, Pell, and his trusty squire, Sterling, will have to be extra-clever to outwit the mean Queen Bee.
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Vacation by Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague

Bat, Cat, and Rat decide they need a vacation, but planning a trip is no picnic. Conflicts, compromise, and some well-meaning pranks ensue as prep work brings out the trio’s mischievous side.
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First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

WHICH CAME FIRST? The chicken or the egg? Simple die-cuts magically present transformation-- from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly.
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I Like Hoops by Juwanda G Ford

A close game of basketball, played by a diverse group of first and second graders, is full of suspense, joy–and good sportsmanship too!
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The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael Rex

The tunneler tunnels in the tunnel. But why? And where is he going? Find out in this fun story with a surprise ending!
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Fox Catches a Wave by Cory R. Tabor

Fox—the beloved and popular trickster character featured in the Geisel Award–winning books Fox Has a Problem, Fox at Night, and Fox the Tiger—is on the move! But Fox knows that life is about the journey, not the destination, and if his untraditional transportation methods get him in a bit of trouble, he can always try again tomorrow.
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Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes

If one day buds bloom and birds chirp, and the next day a late snow falls from the sky, is it spring? Will it ever be spring? An evergreen, child-friendly picture book that explores themes of patience, hope, the seasons, and nature by the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes.
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Loops by Jashar Awan

This big kid is wearing his first pair of big-kid shoes, the kind with laces! Even though they’re a little on the roomy side—shoes to grow into, of course—he knows he can take care of them. Except they keep falling off! Not to worry, he’ll just tie them up again, because he knows how to tie those loops! But wait a second, where did that darn shoe go?

Beginning Chapter Books Beginning Chapter Books

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The Moonlight Mystery Agency: Birthday Cake Thief by Vashti Hardy

Hana joins the Moonlight Mystery Agency to help Spark the bionic unicorn find her missing birthday cake in the first of an exciting new series from bestseller Vashti Hardy. Hana has always longed to have a pet of her own. So when a cat turns up at her bedroom window one night, she thinks her dream has come true. But Ace is no ordinary cat. He’s a detective cat who has come to invite Hana to join the Moonlight Mystery Agency, and that’s when the magical adventures begin! Join Hana and Ace on their first mission to solve the mystery of Spark the bionic unicorn’s missing birthday cake!

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Ember the Fire Dragon: Dragon Hill

Dragon Hill is in trouble! The magic jewel that protects Dragon Hill has gone missing, and best friends Ember the Fire Dragon and Gus the Mushroom Dragon work together to find the jewel. But they are young dragons and they don't yet know how to use their dragon powers. The two friends follow squirrel paw prints and meet a helpful Tree Dragon. Will they be able to find the magic jewel?

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Earl and Worm: The Bad Idea by Greg Pizzoli

Earl is a happy go-lucky bird who plays saxophone to his plants because they love music in the morning. His neighbor Worm, on the other hand…well, Worm is the exact opposite. She would rather read in silence.How will these very different neighbors become the very best of friends?

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Super Villains in Training: Fantastic Freeze Ray by Kailei Pew

Vicky von Evil has one goal -- learn how to become the baddest, most dangerous villain of all time! The only problem is, being evil is way harder than it looks. Vicky enrolls at SVT, a top academy for all super villains in training. There, she and her best friend Will Wickedson learn important, evil skills. But as Will easily flies through each round of villain tests, Vicky has a harder time adjusting to her new school. Will she be able to stay at SVT? This full-color, fast-paced adventure is full of not-so-evil mess ups and action-packed hijinks!
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Orris and Timble Star Stories by Kate DiCamillo

Orris and Timble are friends. Orris is a rat, Timble is an owl, and they meet each night in an old barn to share stories. One night, Timble asks a fateful question: “Why don’t you ever leave the barn, Orris?” Strong and brave, the owl offers to carry the rat on his back. Orris will be able to see it all for himself—the rivers and fish, roads and farms, mountains and coyotes. But why would Orris leave the barn when all he needs is there: his books, the moon and stars above, and Timble’s nightly tales of high-flying adventure? What would you do if you had the chance to fly?
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Lone Wolf Gets a Pet by Kiah Thomas

Wolf lives by himself, and he likes it that way. Wolf is not a people person.
But today, he would really like some jellybeans, and the store is completely out. The shopkeeper tells him that all the jellybeans have been bought up for prizes in a competition. A Best Pet Competition.There’s only one thing for it: Wolf needs to acquire a darling dog, a cool cat, or a happy horse. But one by one, these animals prove that Wolf is not much of an animal person, either. Will no pet win him an award? How far must Wolf go to get some dang jellybeans?
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BIsby Cross and the Time Capsule by Liz Scanlon

Most things are easy-peasy, regular-pegular for Bibsy Cross. She loves her parents, her cat, her best friend, Natia. She loves school and the library. And she loves a good school project.

But this time, each student is tasked with creating a time capsule, and Bibsy's not so sure she
wants to trap the present in a box. She needs her childhood now, not preserved for the future. When Nanaberry comes--not just for a visit, but for good--she helps Bibsy see the project in a new light.

Will Bibsy figure out how to preserve her memories without letting them go?
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Love From Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

Anna Hibiscus is on holiday with Grandmother and Grandfather in the village where they were born. She befriends the local children there and teaches them their ABCs and 123s. When Anna goes to market one day and a boy steals a banana from her, she runs after him. It turns out that the boy is poor and lives alone. Anna and Sunny Belafonte become friends, and when Sunny is taken ill, it is Anna who makes sure he gets the medical help he needs. Happily, Grandfather invites Sunny Belafonte to live with them and be part of their family.
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Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories by Jarvis

Bear and Bird are the best of friends, but yesterday they had a falling out. And although they can’t quite remember why, each is sure that a new best friend is now in order. If Bear sends an anonymous letter floating down the river, will it be found by someone nice—someone with whom he has as much in common as he did with Bird? In this quartet of tales, the endearing duo is back to show that even friends who sometimes get their wires crossed can always be each other’s best supporter—whether making plans to meet that go comically awry, baking hideously inedible surprise cakes, or savoring a starlit moment together (and getting carried away with wishes for just one more thing to make it perfect). With his signature subtle wit, irresistible art, and an underlying affection, Jarvis draws newly independent readers into a sweet friendship for the ages.
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Villians Academy: How to Win Gruesome Games by Ryan Hammond

Once a year, the five original founders of Villains Academy rise from their graves in honor of the Gruesome Games—a school field day unlike any other, where the aim is to prank and cheat your way to the finish line. Werewolf Bram and his friends the Weirdoughs are determined to win so their names can be written in the Book of Bad, a record of the most wicked villains to grace the school. But when the pranks start getting out of hand and the Book of Bad is stolen, it’s up to Bram and the gang to get to the bottom of the mystery.
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Real Pigeons Fight Crime Series by Andrew McDonald

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s—wait, it really IS a bird! Take another look, because what looks like an ordinary pigeon might just be a hero saving your butt! Meet the crime-fighting pigeons secretly flying around chasing bad guys in this hilarious illustrated series perfect for fans of BAD GUYS and DOG MAN.
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Press Start! Super Rabbit Boy vs. The Gigabot

Super Rabbit Boy is ready to enjoy a relaxing day off until meanie King Viking shows up at his door. King Viking has a giant problem -- his biggest robot ever, the Gigabot, has been stolen. Now the robot thief is taking the Gigabot straight toward Animal Town! King Viking can’t get the Gigabot back on his own, so he has no choice… he has to ask Super Rabbit Boy for help! Will Super Rabbit Boy find a way to stop the giant Gigabot? And who is the robot thief?

Novels Novels

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Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate

Meet Pocket, created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle, whose bravery and loyalty lives on long after the war.
Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
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Bad Badger by Maryrose Wood

Septimus is not good at being a badger. He adores the sunset. He dreams of going to Venice. And he lives alone in a charming cottage by the sea. He’s not unhappy with his tidy, solitary life, but there are times when being so bad at badgerdom makes him wonder if he’s even a badger at all.When a gull of very few words lands on the windowsill, Septimus leaps at the possibility of friendship. However, his new confidant soon goes missing and Septimus is bereft. Determined to find his best—and only—friend, he ventures into new territory and encounters a cast of surprising characters. Can Septimus be as brave and bighearted as he’ll need to be to find Gully? Or is he really a bad badger after all?
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Growing Home by Beth Ferry

Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever. First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible! It turns out Toasty’s fish tank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?
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The Gate, The Girl and The Dragon by Grace Lin

Jin is a Stone Lion—one of the guardians of the Old City Gate who is charged to watch over humans and protect the Sacred Sphere. But to Jin, those boring duties feel like a waste of time.
What isn’t a waste of time? Perfecting his zuqiu kick, scoring a Golden Goal, and becoming the most legendary player of all the spirit world.
But when Jin’s perfect kick accidentally knocks the Sacred Sphere out through the gate, he has no choice but to run after it, tumbling out of the realm he calls home and into the human world as the gate closes behind him.
Stuck outside the gate, Jin must find help from unlikely allies, including a girl who can hear a mysterious voice and a worm who claims he is a dragon. Together, they must find the sphere and return it to the world beyond the gate…or risk losing everything.
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Fairy Door Diaries by Megan McDonald

To some, the low door in Eliza’s bedroom might look like an ordinary entrance to a crawl space under the stairs. But to a believer like Eliza of the Elves, it’s the door to the Land of UnderStair, a secret hideout all her own. In that crawl space, festooned with twinkling lights, Eliza keeps her favorite book, her collections of precious items, her stuffed animals, and her new diary. And in that crawl space is another door, a teeny-tiny one that can transport Eliza to a world of tangerine sun and lemon-pudding sky, a place where flower fairies perch on every bloom and a new flower springs up whenever you pick one. But in a far corner of that world, Eliza tries to pick a strangely beautiful flower—“Nooooo!” cries her friend Poppy—and things soon go terribly awry. Can a brave, wilting Poppy rescue Eliza from beyond the hedgerow before the Demon Wind steals all the flower fairies’ scents, leaving the snapdragons with no snap? In this launch of a new series, Megan McDonald brings her well-honed flair for wordplay to delicious villains like the witches Wolfsbane and Belladonna as she follows a child with a big imagination to a different fairy realm in each book. Lenny Wen’s delightful, richly colored artwork brings Eliza’s world to life with fanciful details sure to have readers creating their own cozy retreats—and visiting magical lands beyond the door.
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Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales Series by Aaron Reynolds

From the team behind the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal–winning Creepy Carrots! and its sequels comes the first entry in a spin-off chapter book series in which Jasper Rabbit tells the story of a young marmot whose tonsils get the better of him.

Jasper the Rabbit is back! A little older and wiser, he collects creepy stories to share as cautionary tales. If you’re ready for some chills and chuckles alike, tune in as Jasper weaves the yarn of Charlie Marmot and the particular pickle he found himself in.
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Dream by Barbara O'Connor

Idalee Lovett is content with her life in small-town Colby, North Carolina, living in her family’s huge house with rooms for rent. But she has big dreams, just like her mama. While Mama is on tour for the summer with her cover band, Lovey Lovett and the Junkyard Dogs, Idalee decides to hone her craft as a songwriter―since her truest wish is to hear her country songs on the radio one day. When the local radio station announces a songwriting contest with the winning song being recorded by an up-and-coming singer, Idalee is determined to win. It would definitely be possible if only she could buy the shiny blue guitar in Asheville’s music shop. Idalee doesn’t have much money, but she knows exactly how to get it―the long-lost treasure her late granddaddy hid somewhere in their house. With the help of her friends Odell, Howard, Charlie, and an adorable little dog named Wishbone, Idalee is going to search in every nook and cranny until she finds it. But little does she know, the biggest treasure of all is only discovered when you believe in yourself with your whole heart.
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The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle

Twelve-year-old Patch hasn’t found a real home yet, despite being passed like a package from one distant relative to the next. When she runs up the gangway of the massive steamship RMS Glorious, she isn’t planning to hang around. But it’s too late—the ship is setting sail! Patch has become an accidental stowaway. Luckily, she’s fearless and resourceful and finds friends on board in both high and low places. But hiding from the stowaway-hunting chief steward becomes harder and harder. And to make matters worse, Patch’s new friends urgently need her help: it turns out that some passengers are not what they seem, and there’s a mystery that needs solving before they reach New York. Can Patch protect her friends and stop some dastardly criminals? And will she find a home at last, or will the excitement of life on the move keep calling her name? The elegant allure of Titanic-era steamships meets madcap escapades as our intrepid heroine finds adventure on every deck.
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Odder by Katherine Applegate

Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself―and about the humans who hope to save her. Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.

Non-Fiction Non-Fiction

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Look by Gabi Snyder

In the tradition of Tomie dePaola’s Quiet, this lyrical, timely picture book with beautiful diorama illustrations shows that if you really look, you never know what the world might give you to see. The natural world is full of patterns to enjoy for those who can ground themselves, be mindful, and truly see.
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Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth

Crows may not have flashy feathers, beautiful songs, or fancy flying skills, but if a crow looks at you with its small, round eye, you can be sure that it’s thinking, as these birds have very big brains. Did you know that crows will use a stick to poke into a crevice to tease out tasty bugs? Or that they like to play like kids by tumbling down a snowy roof? Or that they remember where they hide their food—but sometimes only pretend to bury a treat to fool other birds?
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Sleepy: Surprising Ways Baby Animals Snooze by Jennifer Ward

Just like people, all animals need sleep, but not all animals sleep in the same way. When dolphins sleep, half their brain stays awake. Snakes sleep with their eyes open. Giraffes sleep in five-minute intervals, while koalas sleep for twenty-two hours a day! From grizzly bears to hummingbirds, there are creatures of all sizes and habitats to wish a good night in this cozy and compelling book.
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Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge by Elizabeth Partridge

Across a treacherous strait where deep ocean waters rip back and forth with the tides, and during the depths of the Great Depression, daring teams of engineers and builders set out to make something many thought impossible.
Begun in 1933 and officially opened on May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge and its awe-inspiring and groundbreaking construction are truly a testament to the power of hope and perseverance. Told from the point of view of the lighthouse keeper’s kids, who watch in fascination as the trucks and crews arrive and steel towers coated in heavy red paint begin to rise above the tempestuous water,
Golden Gate shares a thrilling visual perspective on each stage of the breathtaking project.
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Toes, Teeth and Tentacles: A Curious Counting Book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Did you know...
a praying mantis only has
one ear?
a squid has
three hearts?
a giant African land snail can have up to
eighteen thousand teeth?
Toes, Teeth, and Tentacles celebrates and highlights the numerous unusual and strangely fascinating features and appendages of all kinds of animals, from horns to toes and stomachs to hearts. From the two-tongued loris to a scallop's 200 eyes, readers will find joy in numbers with this latest book by these two masters of nonfiction. While not a counting book in the traditional sense, readers will enjoy learning all kinds of fun facts from the animal world as they look for fingers and fins!
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The Den that Octopus Built by Randi Sonenshine

The solitary and ingenious octopus is a master of disguise and invention, creating her den out of the objects of the ocean, from shells and rocks to tiny glass shards. Using creative methods of hunting and construction, the octopus prepares for the biggest task of her life: motherhood. With one last, poignant gesture of love, the mother octopus sends her hatchlings on their way, starting a new cycle of life for the tiny offspring who face peril of their own. Offering deeply informative back matter, including an author’s note, a glossary, and fascinating “octo-knowledge”! (Did you know that octopuses have nine brains, including one in each of their independently operating arms?)
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Hurricane by Jason Chin

It’s a beautiful day on Hatteras Island, North Carolina. But while all seems calm now, a hurricane is barreling across the Atlantic, and everyone is wondering when it will hit the U.S. coast. And where.
Night and day, meteorologists use satellites to monitor the storm. Brave pilots fly directly into the tempest, dodging lightning bolts to gather crucial data. Back on the island, families board up windows, drag furniture upstairs, and stock survival kits to prepare for what may come.
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Are We There Yet? The First Road Trip Across the USA by Stacy McAnulty

Hitch a ride on the first road trip across the United States! It’s 1903 when Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson bets fifty dollars that he can drive a horseless carriage (a car) across the USA, from California to New York, in less than three months. Considering Dr. Jackson doesn’t know how to drive, there are no highways yet, and everyone else who’s tried the trip has failed, the odds are stacked against him. Still, he hires a bike racer to act as mechanic, and the two set off in Dr. Jackson’s car, the Vermont, with their team mascot, Bud the bulldog.
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Safe Crossing by Kari Percival

How does an amphibian cross the road? With the help of the Amphibian Migration Team! Learn all about a citizen scientist who acts as a crossing guard for migrating amphibians and helps build them a tunnel to safety in this delightful nonfiction picture book!
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Butt or Face Series by Kari Lavelle

Butt or Face? Volume 3: Super Gross Butts continues the entertaining challenge with a new set of (nasty!) animals from all over the world. Examine a close-up photo of an animal and then guess whether you're looking at the top or the…um…bottom. The answer is revealed on the next page with a photo of the complete animal.

Readers will discover animals like a horned lizard that shoots blood from its eyes, a tongue-eating louse, a caterpillar that ejects poop, and many more gross, amazing animals. Fun animal facts and information about camouflage and other sneaky animal tricks are included.

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History Smashers by Kate Messner

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the sinking of the Titanic with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.
On April 15, 1912 an "unsinkable" ship called the
Titanic unexpectedly hit an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic. Right?
Wrong! Nobody was really talking about the Titanic being unsinkable until after it sank.The truth is, four different ships wired the Titanic to report icebergs and field ice in the area. But the Titanic never slowed down. In fact, when the Californian warned that it was trapped in ice, the Titanic's wireless operator was so busy sending outgoing messages that he replied, "Shut up!" No joke.
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The Nature Kids Guide to Axolotls by National Geographic

If your child loves unusual animals, axolotls are about to blow their mind. These smiling salamanders can regrow legs, tails, gills, and even parts of their heart and brain. No other animal on Earth can do what they do."The Nature Kid's Guide to Axolotls" is written for curious kids ages 7–12 who want to learn about one of nature's strangest creatures. Why do axolotls stay in water their whole lives? How do they eat without chewing? What makes their feathery gills so special? Your child will discover the answers and be eager to share every wild fact. Written in short, easy-to-read sentences perfect for Level 2 readers, this book builds confidence and reading skills while sparking curiosity. The engaging format keeps kids interested from cover to cover, with fun facts and "Did You Know?" sections sprinkled throughout.

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Smash Crash Topple Roll The Inventive Rube Goldberg by Catherine Thimmish

SCIENCE MADE FUN: Sure to excite students, teachers, and parents looking for a playful, hands-on way to dive into the sciences and connect to STEM and STEAM efforts in schools, where Rube Goldberg machines are already in use, this book offers a fun way to approach the sometimes-daunting subject of physics.INSPIRATIONAL AWESOMENESS: There are more and better opportunities for kids to embrace and explore a love of science and engineering today, and Rube Goldberg was an artist, too! This is the perfect book to encourage the scientist and artist in every kid.POPULAR SUBJECT FOR KIDS: There are over 1 million views of various Rube Goldberg videos on YouTube featuring overly complicated ways to turn a page, pass the salt, water a plant, and more.
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Who Would Win Series by Jerry Pallotta

More than 100 mighty animals face off in this exciting bind-up featuring EIGHT books in this action-packed bestselling animal series!Which deadly animals would win in a fight? Find out in this incredible bind-up of eight books in the popular Who Would Win? series!Kids will learn about each animal's anatomy, behavior, and more alongside photos, charts, illustrations, and amazing facts. More than 100 animals featured within!
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Animal Doctors by National Geographic

THE VET IS IN! Join animal doctors as they care for cuddly pets and farm animals, rehabilitate cool wild animals, and rescue big sea life in this Level 1 Co-reader!Through this delightful beginning reader, youngsters and their grown-ups can follow veterinarians throughout their day as they care for sick and healthy animals, from house pets to zoo and ocean animals.
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Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead: A Funny Picture Book of Adorable Attacker Animals by Brooke Hartman

They're fluffy. They're funny. They could kill you―and your kid won't stop talking about them.

In Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead, author Brooke Hartman and illustrator María García deliver a laugh-out-loud STEM picture book that flips the script on adorable wildlife. Each page dives into the shockingly dangerous traits of nature's cutest creatures―think venomous slow lorises, surprisingly savage ladybugs, and owls with a taste for everything. Blending educational content with a wink of humor, this book makes science as thrilling as it is unforgettable.

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Over and Under the Coral Reef by Kate Messner

Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Wetland, and Over and Under the Snow, this volume takes readers on a journey into the colorful and lively coral reef of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and dazzling illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the reef, with waters full of coral and animals that are as lively as they are lovely to see—and full of secrets to fire up young readers' curiosity!
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The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle by Sy Montgomery

The bestselling and Sibert Honor–winning creators of The Book of Turtles bring us the true story of a snapping turtle’s extraordinary journey—and the amazing conservationists who helped give him a second chance. This feel-good, gorgeously illustrated story about beating the odds is complete with inspiring back matter and photos.

Here is the true story of a very lucky turtle. His story began long ago when he was hatched from a very small egg on an autumn day. After decades of traveling between his summer pond behind the firehouse and his winter pond across the street, he never could have guessed that on one October day he would become unlucky . . .

Summer Reading at the Milltown Public Library Summer Reading at the Milltown Public Library

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Summer Reading Promotions Summer Reading Promotions

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During the summer months of June, July, and August, any child that meets their parent-set reading goals can earn a free Pizza Hut® single topping Personal Pan Pizza®* from participating locations. Use the BOOK IT!® Mobile App to set goals, track progress, and redeem rewards.

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This summer, kids in grades 1-6 earn a FREE book through the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program. Read any eight books and record them in your Summer Reading Journal (see links below). When you're done, bring it to a Barnes & Noble store and choose your free book! Redeemable 7/1-8/31. Learn more here.

Amy Klinger
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