Entering Grade 5 Required Reading Instructions

  • Answer at least 5 questions over the summer. Use the buttons to access directions and questions. You can print out the sheet, or do it electronically.
  • Bring the book and answers to the questions to school in the fall. You will work with the book in English class.
  • Choose any 2 books from the following summer reading lists.
    • Read them.
    • Record them on the question sheet linked above in the section that looks like this -->
    • Be prepared to discuss the books you read in the fall.
OPTIONAL--READING MORE BOOKS

While you are required to read only three books, we encourage you to read as many other books as you can that are either on or off the list. 
If you read more than three books, check out our Summer Reading Challenge Bingo -->
If you read five books to make a BINGO you can join us for a special treat in the fall.
Ways to enrich your reading life this summer:

  • Explore the activities on the Shark Summer website, under the Book Club tab.

  • Summer Reading Challenge Bingo!
See above

  • Barnes and Noble Reading Challenge: Download the B&N Summer Reading Journal. (Near the bottom of the page, to the right.) If you read eight books and follow the directions, you can qualify for a free book.

  • Massachusetts (and other states) Public Library Summer Reading: Programs where you can read and earn all sorts of prizes. The programs usually start around mid-June and end at the end of August.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
During the summer, Fessenden students in grade 5-9 are expected to read at least 3 summer reading books. All students entering Grades 5 will read the same book, Shark Summer, a graphic novel by Ira Marcks. There is value in having a common experience as a community, and this is a fun, accessible book. It also has a bit of depth which we will explore in the fall. 

As these years are a pivotal stage in the reading life of students, we feel it is important for children to keep reading and exploring what types of books are out there. To keep their reading muscles warmed up, we are asking boys to read 2 titles in addition to Shark Summer from the attached reading lists. We believe that choice sparks curious, lifelong readers.  Accordingly, students can choose at least two of their summer reading books, and we encourage your sons to make these choices for themselves. However, in order to foster conversation and dialogue upon our return to school, their book selections should come from one of our grade level lists. If your son finds a series or author on one of the lists that he is enjoying, he may read all of his required reading from that series or that author. For more information, please see the FAQ page.
Summer Admissions/Late Summer Admission:
If your son is admitted to Fessenden during the summer and does not have time to complete some or all of the required summer reading, please email the English Department chair,  Thomas Minehart, at [email protected] to formulate an appropriate plan for your son.