Summer Reading

So I'm graduating this April. I'm really excited about finally having something to show for the past 8 years of off-and-on school. While I'm excited, there is still a lot of things I need to do to get ready for next fall. Here is one of them.


I'm doing my student teaching right now, and if there's one thing I've learned, I need to read a LOT to catch up to 5th graders. There are a TON of great books that most of my current students have read that I didn't know existed until January. So, I have created my Summer Reading List with books on it that I need to read if I want to keep up with these kids.

Suzanne Collins
-The Underland Chronicles (6 books)
-The Hunger Games Series (3 books)

I've heard good things about Collins, but I haven't read a page of these books. I hear they're supposed to be fantastic, though.

John Flanagan
-The Ranger's Apprentice Series

There are like 9 books in this series, but I'd feel good about myself if I got through the first 4. I'm reading one aloud to my students and they really seem to like it. I don't know if it is because the guy is from Australia, or what, but the dude uses words from WAY out in left field. Words I never even heard of before. Now I don't have a huge vocabulary, but I don't usually come across that many words in a book. So I guess this would also be a good book to help one study for the GRE?

Eoin Colfer
-Artimus Fowl series (7 books)

I think the 7th book hasn't come out yet, but I could be wrong. I'm reading the first book with a literature group in my class right now. They REALLY like it, and so do I. I'm struggling trying to finish my Teacher Work Sample (that's like my capstone project I have to finish before I can graduate) and I keep opening that stupid book and can't put it down.

I'm going to leave my Summer Reading list at that for now.... but I wouldn't be opposed to adding to it.

Any other suggestions?