Summer of the Woods



Last updated Friday, September 29, 2023

Author: Steven K. Smith
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 0986147370
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2022

Synopsis: When ten-year-old Derek and eight-year-old Sam move with their family to Virginia, they have no idea what adventures the summer will bring. As the brothers explore their creaky old house and the deep surrounding woods, they uncover a sixty-year-old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum. Join the boys as they spend their summer running from danger and searching the woods, secret caves, rushing waters, and hidden passageways for treasure!

Note to readers:
•  This book is about two brothers, Derek, age 10 and Sam, age 8. They have just moved from an unnamed city to a wooded area near Richmond, Virginia. If any of the girls in the group are reluctant to pay attention because this is a “boy’s book”, you might suggest to them the pretend that “Sam” is short for “Samantha”.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever lived in a place with woods and creeks like Derek and Sam? What was that like?
•  Have you ever gone camping? What was that like?

Vocabulary:

•  roam: to walk, go, or travel without a fixed purpose or direction. Ex.: “I like to roam around the library looking at different kinds of books.” Note: This is a homonym (a word that sounds the same but has a different meaning) for Rome (used pg. 4). Rome is the capital of the country of Italy and also the name of 13 cities in the United States.
•  guidebook: a book of directions, advice and information about a specific location, especially for travelers and tourists.
•  binoculars: a device used with both eyes. It has two small telescopes joined together. Used to see things at a distance.
•  ambush: an act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise.
•  frantic: desperate or wild with excitement, fear, or pain.
•  disinfectant: any chemical used to destroy or stop the growth of germs.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What do you think unseen other boys are doing? Who or what are the referring to as “Bear”?
•  Have you ever gone on a treasure hunt? Would you like to?
•  Is there a real treasure? What do you think it might be? Will the boys find it? Read the rest of the book and find out.

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a campsite in the woods that you have been to or would like to go to (see sketch on page 77).
•  Draw animals you have seen or might see in the woods or somewhere out of the city.
•  Make Thanksgiving place cards: Place a piece of blank regular paper or construction paper in front of you as if you were going to write on it. Fold in half and fold in half again. It will make a tent-like object. Write the name of a person who may be with you on Thanksgiving Day. Decorate with drawings of things like turkeys, leaves, pumpkins, etc.
•  Make a “Handprint Turkey”. Spread you hand out a blank piece of white paper. Trace your fingers. Your thumb is the head and the rest of your fingers are the feathers. Decorate with crayons, colored pencils or pieces of colored paper. Don’t forget to add a face to your turkey and legs.
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/november-2022-seasons-the-natural-world/

Special activities:
•  Do the word search. (The Site Coordinators should get it in their boxes)

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!