Paris, 1929, Andre Kertesz On Reading
The long and hot days of summer are the perfect time for children to enjoy, or for the youngest, to discover the joys of reading. NPR’s Michele Norris asked three booksellers for their recommendations for summer reading for kids.
“Educators consider summer reading very important in developing life-long reading habits, in maintaining literacy skills and in promoting reading for pleasure. Studies have repeatedly shown that children who continue to read during the summer months perform better when school resumes in the fall. But, when summer vacation starts, many children want to put away their books. They want to be outside, riding bikes, playing softball, or cooling-off in the neighbourhood pool. Committing them to reading, even just a little each day, is a struggle especially when outdoor activities and the modern distractions of television, video games, and the Internet may seem more exciting.”
Paris, 1929, Andre Kertesz On Reading
“Research has also shown that when parents are actively involved in learning at home, their children become more successful in and out of school. When it comes to helping with homework, most parents can hold their own. But, when it comes to reading, they need help. Parents want to know how to select books that interest children and how to create an atmosphere that encourages reading. Today, that help takes many forms; reading lists provided by teachers, summer reading programs sponsored by school and local libraries and educational Web sites that explain the reading process and provide tips on selecting books and advice on how to organize reading activities both parents and children will enjoy. This feature focuses on what the Internet can provide to assist parents in promoting reading at home over the summer.”—Jim Cornish, Classroom Connect, May 2003
One key to children’s reading success is making their reading experience entertaining, relaxing, and enjoyable. Allow children to choose their own reading materials and be aware of what their reading interests are. Help them find books that pique their interests. Below are information about and links to many reading lists that identify high-quality titles and serve many different audiences and purposes.
Notable Children’s Books An annual list compiled by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA.
Newbery Medal Each year, ALSC chooses the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children from books released in the previous year.
Caldecott Medal Each year, ALSC chooses the most distinguished American picture book for children released in the previous year.
Pura Belpré Award Each year, ALSC chooses two works (one for narrative and one for illustration) that best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards Each year, the Coretta Scott King Task Force of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table chooses two distinguished books, one by an author of African descent and one from an illustrator of African descent, that promote an understanding and appreciation of the “American Dream.”
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Each year, ALSC chooses the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award Each year, ALSC honors an American publisher for a children’s book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.
Booklist Editor’s Choice Lists including “Books for Youth” compiled by editors of ALA’s review magazine, Booklist, with grade levels suggested.
An extensive list of all of the high-school-age reading lists compiled by members of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of (ALA).
Outstanding Books for the College Bound The books on this list offer opportunities to discover new ideas, and provide an introduction to the fascinating variety of subjects within an academic discipline.
[Source: ALA]