School's out, but books aren't.
Children and youth looking to turn a new page this summer may want to peruse Surrey School District's list of recommended reads.
In addition to capturing the imagination, reading helps students improve reading levels and literacy skills – without them even knowing it.
Some of the books recommended by the school district are:
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, by Doreen Cronin
Kindergarten
Farmer Brown doesn’t have to guess how his cows are feeling – at least not since they found a typewriter and started leaving him notes listing their various demands.
The Circus Ship, by Chris Van Dusen
Ages 4-8
When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the animals on board swim through chilly waters to a nearby island where their kind and gentle ways quickly endear them to the islanders. Their new friendships are beneficial when the heartless circus owner returns to take them back.
Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed, by J.C. Phillips
Ages 4-8
Although ninjas should be silent and use stealth, Wink finds his enthusiasm gets him into trouble with his teacher until he finds the perfect way to express both traits. Winner of the Surrey Schools Picture Book of the Year contest.
How to Steal a Dog, by Barbara O’Connor
Ages 9-12
Georgina Hayes and her family are stuck living in their car after Georgina’s father left them and they were evicted from their apartment. Georgina thinks she has the solution to their troubles when she comes across a poster offering $500 for the return of a missing dog. Winner of the 2010/11 Surrey Schools Book of the Year contest.
Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins
Teens
Second in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire follows Katniss and Peeta as they become the poster boys for a post-apocalyptic rebellion they never planned to lead. A Scholastic young adult science fiction novel.
City of Glass, by Cassandra Clare
Teens
The third installment in Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. This time, Clary is on a mission to find the one person who knows how to wake her mother from a coma. A supernatural thriller with demons, vampires and werewolves.
Heist Society, by Ally Carter
Teens
Katarina Bishop’s parents have taken her around the world scamming and stealing their way through life. Kat tries to escape her criminal upbringing but has to do one last job in order to save her father.
Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Teens
Lia and Cassie are competing to see who can be the skinniest, but when Cassie doesn’t survive the contest, she haunts Lia’s thoughts, even as Lia continues to count calories and jean sizes during her descent into anorexia.
For more suggested reading, visit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/ttt10.cfm