In support of this activity, most grades are hearing short, easy-going books about fish. An exception is grade 4, with whom I am beginning a novel: Some Kind of Courage, by Dan Gemeinhart. I read this book last summer and immediately decided to read it to 4th grade this year. The story is set in the western part of the United States (Washington state) in 1890, so it depicts some of the social and environmental features of early California, which grade 4 studies. Also, it's just a suspenseful, heartfelt novel--I think the students will like it and learn from it.
The Pennekamp book club for grade 5 meets Monday, January 23, in the library at lunch recess. We will be discussing Masterminds, by Gordon Korman.
The public library has a lot of excellent events coming up. There are two books clubs--one for grades 2 and 3, and one for grades 4 and 5. These meet on Saturdays, so that's cool! There are also many great STEM activities on Wednesday afternoons. Here'a a link for more information: Manhattan Beach public library events.