MCBA

Dear Families,

We are very excited that this year the fifth grade will once again participate in the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award program.

This program is organized by Salem State College. Participating students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades across Massachusetts are given a "master list" of book titles. After reading five of the books, students may vote for their favorite. The votes are tallied and the winning book is awarded the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award.

The 25 nominated books span a 3-plus year range of readability, ensuring that almost all of our students will find a selection within their independent reading level and challenges are available to our fluent readers as well. Voting will take place in March allowing plenty of time for students to read and enjoy the selections.

I have posted a listing of the 25 nominees for 2011-2012 below. Many of these titles are available through the Burlington Public Library and the Pine Glen Library is expecting a set as well.  Mrs. Ogren used book fair and BoxTops money to purchase one copy of each book for the 5th grade as well (look for the MCBA bookshelf in Room 209).  Thank you, Mrs. Ogren!

Students should challenge themselves to read as many books they can. A minimum of five books is required for voting. We hope that you will support your child in this reading adventure. Consider reading the books together and discussing them as your child chooses a favorite.

This is an exciting program and we are looking forward to our classroom results!

Thank you in advance.

The fifth grade team

PS: If you choose to invest in any of the MCBA titles and would be willing to loan or donate your book to the classroom after your child has read it, we would be extremely grateful. 

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award 2011 Master List for 2011-2012

Alvarez, J. (2009). Return to Sender. (Knopf). 
Baggott, J. (2009). The Prince of Fenway Park. (HarperCollins). 
Barshaw, R.M. (2007). Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel. (Bloomsbury). 
Bosch, P. (2008). If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late. (Little, Brown). 
Cammuso, F. (2008).The Dodgeball Chronicles (Knights of the Lunch Table, No.1). (GRAPHIX). 
Clements, A. (2008). Lost and Found. (Atheneum). 
Cochrane, M. (2009). The Girl Who Threw Butterflies. (Knopf). 
DiCamillo, K. (2009). The Magician’s Elephant. (Candlewick). 
Feldman, J. (2008). The Gollywhopper Games. (Greenwillow Books). 
Fitzmaurice, K. (2009). The Year the Swallows Came Early. (HarperCollins). 
French, S.T. (2009). Operation Redwood. (Amulet Books). 
Hiassen, C. (2009). Scat. (Knopf). 
Jonell, L. (2009). The Secret of Zoom. (Henry Holt). 
Kadohata, C. (2007). Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam. (Atheneum). 
Kelly, J. (2009). The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. (Henry Holt). 
Klise, K. (2009). Dying to Meet You: 43 Cemetery Road. (Harcourt). 
Lin, G. (2009). Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. (Little, Brown). 
Lupica, M. (2008). Long Shot (Comeback Kids). (Philomel). 
Mills, C. (2009). How Oliver Olson Changed the World. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). 
Nuzum, K.A. (2008). The Leanin’ Dog. (HarperCollins). 
Paratore, C.M. (2009). Sunny Holiday. (Scholastic). 
Philbrick, R. (2009). The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. (The Blue Sky Press). 
Smith, R. (2009). I, Q: Independence Hall (I, Q. The Series). (Sleeping Bear Press). 
Stead, R. (2009). When You Reach Me. (Wendy Lamb Books). 
Weston, R.P. (2008). Zorgamazoo. (Razorbill).