Tag Archives: Summer Reading

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Books for teen writers and poets

highlighted readingFollowing the month of April, which was National Poetry Month, we are coming up on summer! A time when teens may have more time available to read and write their own content. Looking for a way to encourage a teen writer or poet? Check out this booklist!

They feature several different categories, including one titled “Nonfiction: Writers on Writing” featuring familiar names like Stephan King and Stan Lee. Reading about the obstacles and challenges that faced famous writers may be just the encouragement a young writer needs.

Finally, for anyone struggling to encourage young readers to become interested in poetry, this may be the answer you need. You’ve probably heard of the musical Hamilton by now. The book Hamilton: The Revolution includes a behind-the-scenes look at the hip-hop musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton. The book also includes the hip-hop poetry of rapper and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Maybe putting poetry in a different context will make it more accessible and appealing to teens, and maybe even inspire them to write their own?

Happy writing!

Image credit: http://unsplash.com/(Jazmin Quaynor) licensed under CC0 1.0

 

 

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Free, live webcast with author Kate DiCamillo

8katedicamilloThis one sneaked up on us, the timeline to register is short, but it is too good to not share!

Join two-time Newbery award-winning author Kate DiCamillo as she discusses her newest release, Raymie Nightingale, a masterful, moving novel about an unforgettable summer friendship. Sign up now! Sponsored by Candlewick Press, you are encouraged to set up a class assembly for this live event, so all of your kids, parents, and teachers will be able to watch and participate. To view the LIVE webcast, sites need just an internet connection and web browser.

DiCamillo, in her role as National Summer Reading Champion, will talk directly to students about the importance of summer reading, which will probably reinforce what you have already told them.

Moderated by John Schumacher (Mr. Schu) – http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 13, 2016, 10:00-11:00 AM CDT

Register Here!

Sorry, this one will not be available in an archived format!

 

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Booklist! 25 novels to help you escape

RhB_ABe_4-4_III_Kreisviadukt_BrusioThis is not an ordinary booklist! Instead, it’s a list of destinations you can choose to go when you begin reading. Whether you are looking for an engrossing summer read, or as the article suggests, looking for an escape from the ever-uglier election season, this list is one you should keep close!

On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed a few from the list, most recently Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. The contrast between the tech-savvy San Francisco setting of the story and the mysterious history of the bookstore make for a delightful read. Other favorites from the list include I Capture the Castle, Pride and Prejudice, and of course, The Princess Bride.

 

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/qdajnvs, licensed under CC BY 3.0
General, Public, School Media Specialist

YALSA shares top ten teen nominees

Tash reading on the beachLove young adult fiction? Get your reading lists ready!

YALSA has announced the 2016 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees, a list of 26 titles published in 2015. You can view a video and a list of the nominees, courtesy of the YALSA website. They are asking libraries to encourage teens to read the nominated books during the summer so they can be ready for the national Teens’ Top Ten vote, which will take place August 15 through Teen Read Week (October 9–15)

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/mogarhq, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

 

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Public library summer reading programs in the region

Don’t let the summer slide affect your students! In the CMLE region we’re lucky enough to have two great public libraries with two great summer reading programs. Below are the two press releases from ECRL and GRRL about their summer reading programs. Get those kids signed up now and keep on reading!

ECRLEast Central Regional Library – 2015 – Read to the Rhythm Summer Reading Program

Have you heard?  It’s time to Read to the Rhythm at your local East Central Regional Library branch. Our libraries will be hoppin’ and boppin’ all summer long.  This music-themed program encourages children and teens to read through the summer. There will be a program for both kids and teens. Stop by your local ECRL library branch and pick up a flyer listing all the activities and events offered this summer for both kids and teens. You can also check out the News Bits section or the events calendar on our webpage at www.ecrlib.org for the big events being held around the region.

There will be contests, special programs and events, reading logs and prizes and tons of fun. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss and those students who participate in their local summer reading program do better in school than those that do not. To kick-off the Read to the Rhythm summer program, the Teddy Bear Band will be performing at each of our 14 branch libraries.

Plus our Outreach program will be getting in the groove as well as every Outreach site will also be offering a children’s Read to the Rhythm program at each of our 7 sites. Glen Everhart will be presenting his Heebie Jeebies program at each of the Outreach sites as well. So hop and bop on over to your ECRL branch or Outreach Site this summer and Read to the Rhythm.

GRRLGreat River Regional Library – 2015 – Read to the Rhythm Summer Reading Program

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) will begin its annual Summer Reading Program for children and teens ages 0-18 on Monday, June 8, continuing through Saturday, Aug. 8. Two programs are offered, both with the theme, “Read To The Rhythm.” Both programs will feature activities built on a music theme, and include prize drawings.

The Read To The Rhythm program for children from birth through age 12 has two age groups:

  • Children from birth to age 5
  • Children from age 3 through 6th grade

Parents of children ages 3 to 5 may choose which group is best for their child.

Children in both groups will be given a reading record on which to mark their reading activities. Children may read as much as they want and complete as many records as they like. Each record represents five hours of reading. Reading records must be completed and returned to the library by the end of the program in order for the child to be eligible for prize drawings.

Teens in grades six through 12 are encouraged to complete and turn in reading records as the program progresses. Each completed reading record is an opportunity to win prizes in library prize drawings. Sixth-grade students may join either the teen or children’s program.

The goal for both programs is to encourage children to read during the summer school break. The Summer Reading Program emphasizes reading for pleasure, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on children’s reading skills. Participation in summer reading programs has been shown to reduce summer slide effects.

Libraries across the entire region are planning fun kick-off programs and special events to encourage participation. Numerous musicians will perform at area libraries. Singer/songwriter Paul Spring will perform at all 32 GRRL locations between June 8 and June 20. Check the events calendar on www.griver.org to find out about special programs at your local library.