Dear Parents and Students,

Our next project is a book report on notable children’s literature. You will read a book from the attached list and write a letter to the author. Be creative! Some ideas include (but are not limited to): telling the author how you liked the book, your favorite parts, questions for the author, your opinions, how the book makes you feel, predictions, things you don’t understand, what you would like to see in a sequel. The  final project is due Wednesday, November 29th.

Project Guidelines:

• Read your notable literature book (remember to choose one from the attached list).

• Write a letter to the author using clear sentences that focus on a main idea using the writing process. All letters must be written in cursive. Make sure to format your report as a letter including:
• A Heading:  Includes your first and last name, your address, and a date.
• A Greeting: Addressing the author, whose name is spelled correctly.
• The Body: A letter that is concise, polished and written with a purpose.
• The Closing
• A Signature

For ideas on what to include in the author's letters, go to Reading Responses

• Students will give a brief oral report to share what the book was about and any personal experiences from the book.

Grading:  Students will be graded on how well they attend to the following standards:

• Reading: Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They draw upon a variety of comprehension strategies as needed (e.g., generating and responding to essential questions, making predictions, comparing information from several sources).
• Writing strategies: Students select a focus by creating and supporting a central idea with a topic sentence and simple facts, details, and explanations. They use correct indention, write fluidly and legibly in cursive, have correct sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization in their work.
• Speaking strategies: Students deliver a brief oral presentation demonstrating a command of standard American English.

Notable Literature Book Report Acknowledgement Form (due Tuesday)

I have read the letter above regarding the 4th grade Notable Literature Book Report. I am aware of the deadline of November 29th.

The book I want to read: __________________________________________

Parent Signature: _________________________________________________

Student Signature: ____________________________________________

California Notable Literature Reading List

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt, C. Coco De Young

A Week in the Woods, Andrew Clements

Baby, Patricia MacLachlan

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, Karen Cushman

Bunnicula, Deborah Howe And James Howe

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson

City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau

Coraline, Neil Gailman

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

Fantastic Mr. Fox, Road Dahl

Fever 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson

Flying Solo, Ralph Fletcher

Great Turkey Walk, Kathleen Karr

Honus and Me, Dan Gutman

James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza Looses Control, Jack Gantos

The Kite Rider, Geraldine McCaughrean

Kite Fighters, Linda Sue Park

Lady Lollipop, Dick King-Smith

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, Julie Andrews Edwards

The Landry News, Andrew Clements

The Library Card, Jerry Spinelli

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingals Wilder

Love Ruby Lavender, Deborah Wiles

Mick Harte was Here, Barbara Park

The Million Dollar Shot, Dan Gutman

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Robert O’Brien

Once Upon a Marigold, Jean Ferris

Poppy, Avi

Ruby Holler, Sharon Creech

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Eleanor Coerr

Saffy’s Angel, Hilary McKay

Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillio

The School Story, Andrew Clements

The Secret School, Avi

The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett

Spider Boy, Ralph Fletcher

Stone Fox, John Reynolds Gardiner

The Thief Lord, Cornelia Funke

Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges

The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White

The Year of Miss Agnes, Kirkpatrick Hill

Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech

In addition to these titles, a Newbery Award title may also be chosen

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