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ESOL Rising Sixth Graders

Fiction: Reading Level 1

Alien and Possum: Hanging Out by Tony Johnston JR JOH
These two friends spend time together. Read about their celebrations and fun times as they hang out in a tree.

Animal Hospital by Judith Walker-Hodge JR WAL
How do you take care of a sick patient when he/she can’t tell you what’s wrong? Read about how a veterinarian takes care of an injured duck.

Beach Day! by Patricia Lakin JP LAK
Four friends have a lot of fun and many adventures when they go to the beach for the day.

Why Do Cats Meow? by Joan Holub JR HOL
Why do cats hiss? How do cats show that they like someone? Read all about cats and their habits.

Reading Level 1/2

Oh, Tucker by Steven Kroll JP KRO
Tucker is loved by his family even if he is a dog that causes a lot of trouble! Read all about his adventures.

Reading Level 2

Henry and the Kite Dragon by Bruce Hall JP HAL
Two groups of children want to use the park at the same time. Read about the problems they have and how they solve them.

I Hate English! by Ellen Levine JFIC LEV
Learning a new language and being in a new country is difficult for Mei Mei. Learn about the troubles and adventures she has in New York City.

Living with My Stepfather is Like Living with a Moose by Lynea Bowdish JFIC BOW
Meet Matt, a very talented athlete. He has a hard time living with his new stepfather who is very clumsy!

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily McCully JP MCC
A young girl is taught how to walk a tightrope from a guest at her house. She learns how to cross the wire and she learns a lot about him.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson JP WOO
A girl wonders why a fence separates the black side of town from the white side. See what happens when another girl sits on the fence.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen JP YOL
This story is about a girl and her father who head into the woods on a winter’s nice to see a great horned owl.

Painted Words by Aliki JFIC Ali
This upside down book has 2 stories about a girl name Mari. One tells about her home country and the other about starting school in a new country.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg JP VAN
A magical train takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. Go along for the ride!

Summer Wheels by Eve Bunting JFIC BUN
Follow the story of the Bicycle Man who fixes up old bikes. He offers his friendship and the use of some bicycles to the neighborhood kids.

What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky JP RAD
Children from around the world were asked to describe how peace feels. They will tell you in many different ways!

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema JP AAR
Mosquito tells Iguana a tall tale that sets off a chain reaction that ends in a jungle disaster!

Reading Level 2/3

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say JFIC SAY
The author tells about his grandfather’s journey to America. Many years later he makes the same trip and tells how it feels to love two different countries.

Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tompert JP TOM
Grandfather tells a story about foxes who change shape as they show off to each other. A hunter shows up and a dangerous situation arises.

Halmoni’s Day by Edna Bercaw JFIC BER
Have you ever been embarrassed by someone? Jennifer is worried that her grandmother from Korea will embarrass her in school.

Joshua T Bates in Trouble Again by Susan Shreve JFIC SHR
Joshua wants to fit in with his new classmates but is having a hard time. He wants to look cool even if it means getting in trouble again!

Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka JFIC SCI
What would you do if you met a fire-breathing dragon or a bad smelling giant? These stories are filled with adventure, humor and excitement!

The Memory String by Eve Bunting JFIC BUN
Each button on Laura’s memory string represents a piece of her family’s history. One day it breaks. Find out how she and her family deal with this situation.

My Diary from Here to There/Mi Diario de Aquí a Allá by Amada Perez SP JFIC PER
Everyone in the family, except Amada, is excited about moving from Mexico to Los Angeles. Read her journal entries as she faces this new challenge in her life.

When Mules Flew on Magnolia Street by Angela Johnson JFIC JOH
It’s summertime and that means more adventures for Charlie and his friends. What will they do as they enjoy their vacation?

Reading Level 3

Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold JP RIN
With Harriet Tubman as her guide, Cassie retraces the steps escaping slaves took on the Underground Railroad.

Babe, the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith JFIC KIN
Babe’s owner raises sheep in England. Babe is raised as a sheepdog and learns to help out on the farm!

Don Quixote & the Windmills by Eric Kimmel JFIC KIM
Follow the adventures of a knight as he chases what he thinks are dragons, sorcerers and damsels. He and his partner have many adventures.

In English, Of Course by Joesphine Nobisso JP NOB
A girl tries to tell her new classmates about her life growing up in Italy. Her teacher misunderstands and thinks she grew up on farm!

The Magic Nesting Doll by Jacqueline Ogburne JFIC OGB
This is a fairy tale from Russia that tells the story of a curse placed on a young prince and how Katya must use the nesting doll to break it.

Nim and the War Effort by Milly Lee JFIC LEE
During World War II, children worked hard to help the war effort. Nim’s school organizes a paper drive and as a Chinese-American, she wants to show that she can collect the most papers.

The Saddle Club (series) by Bonnie Bryand JFIC BRY
In each book in the series, the Saddle Club has different adventures and challenges and they all deal with horses. Saddle up and enjoy each book!

Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness JFIC HAR
Follow the lives of 3 real-life children who traveled on the Mayflower and landed in Plymouth Colony in 1620. Read about how children lived, worked, played and survived!

Zen Shorts by Jon Muth JP MUT
When a bear moves into the neighborhood, he tells stories to three brothers and sisters and teaches them to look at the world in new ways.

Reading Level 3/4

The Cat Who Wished to be a Man by Lloyd Alexander JFIC ALE
Thanks to his magician owner, Lionel the cat goes to town one day to experience what it’s like to be a human.

The Feather-Bed Journey by Paula Feder JFIC FED
As Grandma tries to repair a torn feather pillow, she tells the story of being persecuted by the Nazis in Poland during World War II.

Mandy by Julie Andrews JFIC AND
A 10 year-old orphan struggles against loneliness and finds joy in taking care of a secret cottage in the woods.

Mathematickles! by Betsy Franco JP FRA
This book is a collection of poems written in the form of math problems. They are grouped according to the seasons.

Reading Level 4

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell JFIC SEW
The story in this book is told by a horse! Learn about the lives of both horses and people in England during the 1800’s.

Non-Fiction: Reading Level 1

Amazing Dolphins! by Sarah Thomson J59953 T
How do dolphins breathe? Who teaches them to swim? Read all about dolphins and learn more about these amazing animals.

Friendly Dolphins by Allan Fowler J59953 F
Read all about dolphins, killer whales and porpoises. Beautiful color pictures show you all about these sea animals.

Giant Pandas: Gifts from China by Allan Fowler J599789 F
Learn all about pandas from China. Colorful photographs show you where they live, how they find food and ways they play!

I'm Small, and Other Verses by Lillian Moore J811 M
This book is a collection of very short poems including, "Snowsuit", "Alone", and "I Like Peanut Butter".

Outside the Lines by Brad Burg J811 B
This book is filled with different rhyming poems and it has a trick! Will you be able to figure it out?

Really Big Cats by Fowler, Allan J59975 F
Lions, Tigers, Leopards and Jaguars come alive in this book. Learn about where they live, what they eat and their other habits.

Squeaking Bats by Ruth Berman J5994 B
Bats live in many places in North America. Maps and diagrams teach all about these mammals. Learn about their habitats, eating habits and how they fly.

Watchful Wolves by Ruth Berman J59974 B
Photographs, diagrams and maps give a lot of information about wolves and wolf packs. Learn where they live, how they hunt and how they communicate.

Which Way to the Revolution?: A Book about Maps by Bob Barner J9733 B
Follow the trip Paul Revere took on his horse in 1776. Learn about how he told people that the British were coming!

Wild Bears by Seymour Simon J59978 S
Why do bears sleep in the winter? How do they get their food? How big is a bear? Learn these facts and more!

Reading Level 2

Amazing Magnetism by Rebecca Carmi J538 C
This book is about a contest between Ms Frizzle’s class and Mr O’Neatley’s class. See which one wins the magnetism contest!

The Bravest Dog Ever by Natalie Standiford J6367 S
Balto saved the town of Nome, Alaska in 1925. Read how this sled dog delivered medicine across the frozen land.

Joining the Boston Tea Party by Diane Stanley J973311 S
Join Grandma, Liz and Lenny as they travel back to 1773! They will help the colonists in Boston.

Just a Few Words, Mr Lincoln by Jean Fritz J97373 F
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President. He was very busy during the Civil War. Read about his famous words.

Lunch Money and Other Poems about School by Carol Shields J811 S
So many funny things happen at school every day. This collection of poems about a school day will make you laugh out loud!

Skeletons by Lily Wood J6127 W
How many bones do you have? How do bones grow? Find out how bones and muscles work together in your body.

What to do When a Bug Climbs in your Mouth by Rick Walton J811 W
Have you ever had an adventure with an insect? This book is filled with poems about crawly creatures It will drive you buggy!

What Happens to a Hamburger? by Paul Showers J6123 S
What goes on inside your body after you eat something? Take a trip down the gullet, into the stomach and finally into your intestines!

Reading Level 2/3

Dinosaurs Forever by William Wise J811 W
Do you think dinosaurs are extinct? This collection of fun and witty poems will try to convince you that dinosaurs are very much alive!

Gingerbread Days by Joyce Thomas J811 T
This book is filled with poems for each month of the year. Read poems about family, love, being an individual and pride in your heritage.

Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip (series) by Joanna Cole J6213 C
Ms Frizzle and her class become small enough to squeeze through power lines and they learn how electric current travels through their town.

Magnets by Anne Schreiber J538 S
How do magnets work? What makes them attract metal? Find out ways that magnets are used in different workplaces.

Raining Cats and Dogs by Jane Yolen J811 Y
Nine poems about cats and another nine poems about dogs. Read them all in this upside-down book of poetry!

Snippetss by Charlotte Zolotow J811 Z
Open up and enjoy this book of poetry about friendship, seashells, dreams, clouds and the wind.

Reading Level 3

Don't Play With Your Food by Brian Rock J811 R
Is this a cookbook or a poetry book? Read it and find out how the book's characters make you chuckle about the food you eat.

Freedom River by Doreen Rappaport J97311 R
This book is about John Parker, a slave who became a free man. He risked his life to help many people escape to freedom.

If I were in Charge of the World and Other Worries by Judith Viorst J811 V
This book is filled with poems for children and parents. Enjoy reading about everyday situations that frustrate, bewilder and bemuse you.

If the World Were a Village by David Smith J304.6 S
Find out how many people in the world speak Chinese, go to school, live in Africa or use a computer. This book is filled with interesting statistics.

A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky J811 P
This book is filled with a funny collection of poems. Some are written backwards, one never ends and you can even meet Swami Gourami!

Reading Level 3/4

George vs George by Rosalyn Schanzer J9733 S
Two famous people named George lived during the American Revolution: George Washington and King George III of England. Read how their lives were similar and different.

Reading Level 4

An Algonquian Year by Michael McCurdy J 9703 Algonquian M
Follow a year in the life of the Algonquian Indians as they hunt, prepare their fields, take care of animals and hold celebrations.

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Kay Olson J9737 O
What were Abraham Lincoln's last words? How did the doctors try to save him? This graphic novel brings history to life!

The Boston Tea Party by Matt Doeden J973311 D
Why did the colonists dump tea into the harbor? How did the Boston Tea Party help unite the colonies? This graphic novel brings history to life!

Heroes of the Revolution by David Adler J9733 A
Read all about twelve brave men and women who spied on the British during the Revolutionary War.

If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution by Kay Moore J9733 M
What did children do during the Revolutionary War? This book will answer all your questions about that time in US history.

Struggle for a Continent: the French and Indian Wars 1689-1763 by Betty Maestro J9732 M
The French and Indian War is an important part of US history. Read about its battles and how the colonists won the war.

You Wouldn't Want to be an American Colonist! by Jacqueline Morley J9755425 M
Life wasn't always easy for the colonists. Read about problems that men, women and children had in the 1700's.

You Wouldn't Want to Sail with Christopher Columbus! by Fiona Macdonald J97001 M
What did the sailors eat on Columbus' three ships? This book will tell you about the difficult and sometimes gross conditions on the ships in 1492.

Biographies: Reading Level 1

Florence Nightingale by Carol Alexander JB NIGHTINGALE
How do nurses help people? Is their job important? Read about a nurse who helped wounded soldiers in Turkey.

George Washington Carver by Lynea Bowdish JB CARVER
What can you do with a peanut? Read all about the man who studied the peanut and discovered many uses for it.

Helen Keller-Courage in the Dark by Johanna Hurwitz JB KELLER
Helen Keller was a blind, deaf and mute girl. Read about her life, her family and the teacher who helped her.

Oprah Winfrey by Wil Mara JB WINFREY
Look who's on TV! It's Oprah! Read about her life from her childhood to TV reporting to TV star!

Roberto Clemente by Wil Mara JB CLEMENTE
Roberto Clemente was a baseball player from Puerto Rico. Learn about his life growing up, his years as a professional baseball player and how he helped people.

Steven Spielberg by Wil Mara JB SPIELBERG
Lights, Action, Cameras! Read about the Hollywood movie director of many famous films.

Thomas Jefferson by Simone Ribke JB JEFFERSON
Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States was from Virginia. Read about his life and accomplishments.

Thomas Jefferson's Feast by Frank Murphy JB JEFFERSON
The 3rd President of the United States loved to eat! Read about the delicious food items he brought back from his trip to France.

Reading Level 2

Bill Gates by Jonatha Brown JB GATES
A computer genius! Read about his ideas that changed the way people use computers. The book also includes information on how he helps people.

Cesar Chávez, Fighter in the Fields by J L Matthews JB CHAVEZ
Farm workers who pick crops for a living lead a hard life. Cesar Chávez fought hard to make sure that they had safe working conditions.

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad by Michael Martin JB TUBMAN
The Underground Railroad was a route that helped slaves escape to the North during the 1800's. Harriet Tubman helped get many people to freedom.

Henry Ford, the Car Man by Carin Ford JB FORD
Henry Ford was a great inventor who built a factory to make lots of cars. Read all about his life and his projects.

Langston Hughes, Great American Poet by Pat McKissack JB HUGHES
Do you like beautiful poetry? This book is a collection of poems from one of America's greatest poets.

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport JB KING
Read about Martin Luther King Jr. and his life as told using his own words.

Neil Armstrong by Barbara Kramer JB ARMSTRONG
Would you like to walk on the moon? Read about the first person to ever step foot on the moon.

Peyton Manning by James Buckley JB MANNING
Look at that quarterback! Read about how Peyton Manning worked hard to become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL!

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr by David Adler JB KING
This is a picture book that tells the story of how one civil rights leader's ideas helped African-Americans win battles for equal rights.

President George Washington by David Adler JB WASHINGTON
A native of Virginia, George Washington was a surveyor, land owner, soldier and 1st president of the United States.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni JB PARKS
Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat over 50 years ago. This book tells about her brave act and the events that followed.

Thank You Sarah by Laurie Anderson JB HALE
What, No Thanksgiving Holiday? Read about Sarah Hale who worked to convince Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving Day a national holiday.

Tiger Woods by Andrew Gutelle JB WOODS
Follow this golfer's life from the time he first picked up a golf club as a toddler. Read about this amazing professional golfer.

Reading Level 2/3

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin JB BENTLEY
Photographs of snowflakes? Read about a man who took pictures of thousands of snowflakes and studied their special formations.

Reading Level 3

Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James V Giblin JB FRANKLIN
What inventions were created by Ben Franklin in the 1700's? Read about this inventor, printer and statesman.

Starry Messenger by Peter Sis JB GALILEI
Galileo was a genius in the 1500's. Read about his life and times via maps, events and stories.

The True Adventure of Daniel Hall by Diane Stanley JB HALL
Life can be scary on a whaling boat. Read about one man's dangerous adventures when he jumped ship off the coast of Siberia.

Reading Level 4

Mandela by Floyd Cooper JB MANDELA
Nelson Mandela is an admired statesman from South Africa. Read about his life from schoolboy to father to rebel to leader.

Summer Reading Program