Summer Reading & Math

Lower School

2023 Lower School Summer Work
A summer workbook is provided for all Pre-K through Fifth Grade students in the Lower School. Within the workbook are skills to practice and reinforce in preparation for the upcoming grade level, and included in the workbook is the summer reading list, reading logs, literacy skill practice, and math practice. The summer workbook is given to returning Lower School students on Monday, May 22 and mailed to new Lower School students.  
 
Summer Reading 
Elementary school children should read, or be read to, as often as possible. We expect all elementary students to participate in summer reading activities by reading books and/or listening to stories aloud. Students are required to keep track of the books they have read using the summer reading log—included in the summer workbook. Your child should record every book read this summer—even books that are not included on the summer reading list. 
 
Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences.  When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org. 

Please note: Summer reading books will not be available in the CA Bookstore.

Summer Reading

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • Pre-Kindergarten

    2023 Pre-K Summer Reading List 

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  

    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    The Kindness Book by Todd Parr
    Should I Share My Ice Cream? By Mo Willems
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming Pre-K student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 10 BOOKS:
    • Derrick Barnes
    • Matt de la Peña
    • Tomie DePaola
    • Denise Fleming
    • Michael Hall
    • Rachel Isadora
    • Keiko Kasza
    • Grace Lin
    • Oge Mora
    • Mary Nhin Series
    • Zachariah Ohora
    • Todd Parr
    • Christian Robinson
    • Mo Willems
    • Karma Wilson
     

  • Kindergarten

    2023 Kindergarten Summer Reading List

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.
      
    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming Kindergarten student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 14 BOOKS:
    • Tomie DePaola
    • Michael Hall
    • Kevin Henkes
    • Rachel Isadora
    • Keiko Kasza
    • Grace Lin
    • Meg Medina
    • Oge Mora
    • Zachariah Ohora
    • Todd Parr
    • Christian Robinson
    • Karma Wilson
    A “surprise” book will be mailed to you in August.

  • Grade 1

    2023 Grade 1 Summer Reading List

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  

    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    It’s Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr
    The Caring Me I Want To Be! by Mary DiPalermo
    The Dot by Peter Reynolds
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming First Grade student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 12 BOOKS:
    • Dosh Archer
    • Derrick Barnes
    • Monica Brown
    • Eve Bunting
    • Dori Hillestad Butler
    • Matt de la Peña
    • Kelly DiPucchio
    • Gail Gibbons
    • Andres Miedoso
    • Fran Manushkin
    • Oge Mora
    • LeUyen Pham
    • Christian Robinson
    • Ashley Spires
    • K-Fai Steele
    • Vera B. Williams
    • Jacqueline Woodson

  • Grade 2

    2023 Grade 2 Summer Reading List

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  

    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
    The Name Jar by Yang Sook Choi
    How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming Second Grade student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 10 BOOKS:
    • Dosh Archer
    • Derrick Barnes
    • Dori Hillestad Butler
    • Julia Donaldson
    • Andres Miedoso
    • LeUyen Pham
    • Peter Reynolds
    • Amy Krouse Rosenthal
    • Ashley Spires
    • Don Tate
    • Melissa Thomson
    • Kara West
    A “surprise” book will be mailed to you in August.

  • Grade 3

    2023 Grade 3 Summer Reading List

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  

    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
    Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
    How to Be Cool in Third Grade by Betsy Duffey
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming Third Grade student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 4 BOOKS:
    • Monica Brown
    • Kate DiCamillo
    • Andres Miedoso
    • Sarah Mlynowski
    • Mary Pope Osborne
    • Christian Robinson
    • Amy Krouse Rosenthal
    • Ashley Spires
    • Lauren Tarshis
    • Don Tate
    • Sarah Weeks
    • Kara West
    • National Geographic series
    • Who was…? Biography series

  • Grade 4

    2023 Grade 4 Summer Reading List

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  

    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson
    Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming Fourth Grade student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 4 BOOKS:
    • Kwame Alexander
    • Ruth Behar
    • Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
    • Jerry Craft
    • Sharon Draper
    • Alan Gratz
    • Lynda Mullaly Hunt
    • Mike Lupica
    • Jason Reynolds
    • Pam Muñoz Ryan
    • Raina Telgemeier
    • Rita Williams-Garcia
    • Who was…? Biography series

  • Grade 5

    2023 Grade 5 Summer Reading List

    Fostering a love of reading, along with a sense of wonder and curiosity, supports the habits of a lifelong learner. Reading in the summer provides each student an opportunity to explore new genres, new interests, new authors, and develop new preferences, while preparing for the next school year.
     
    Many authors write for multiple age groups and audiences. When you are selecting books with your child, review the age recommendations for the books at your local library or bookseller if you are unsure about which titles to choose.  

    Also, please feel free to contact Lower School Librarian, Allison Peters Jensen, at allison.peters@coloradoacademy.org.    
     
    Reading Resources: 
     
    Required Reading:  
    Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata
    Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks
    Will it Blow?  Become a Volcano Detective at Mt. St. Helen’s by Elizabeth Rusch
     
    From the following list of authors, an incoming Fifth Grade student is REQUIRED to read or listen to at least 3 BOOKS:
    • Kwame Alexander
    • Ruth Behar
    • Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
    • Sharon Draper
    • Stuart Gibbs
    • Alan Gratz
    • Lynda Mullaly Hunt
    • Cynthia Kadohata
    • Tae Keller
    • Grace Lin
    • Mike Lupica
    • Jennifer Nielsen
    • Linda Sue Park
    • Celia Pérez 
    • Jason Reynolds
    • Rita Williams-Garcia
    • Brenda Woods

Summer Math

Please check the summer workbook, distributed on May 22, 2023, for CA Lower School math practice.
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