The LBBC's 2011 Summer Reading List is Now Available

Do you follow my other site, the Latin Baby Book Club? Each year, we publish a summer reading list. And the 2011 edition is now live! This is a great resource for bilingual families who are helping their kids maintain their reading skills during the summer by participating in a library or online summer reading program.

These summer reading lists are super because they don't offer an overwhelming number of titles, but they do list a variety of books for newborns to young adults.

I already mentioned some great online programs, so I won't do that again. But don't forget that the LBBC and MommyMaestra also have some free printable reading logs in English and Spanish to help you and your kids keep track of their reading progress. (You can find them in my sidebar under "Free Downloads.")

Summer Break Reading Programs

I've been investigating summer reading programs to help my daughter maintain and even develop her literacy skills during the next few months. I've already mentioned the Scholastic Summer Challenge, which is my favorite. But here are several more for you to choose from (or why don't you do them all?)

Summer Break with BOOK IT! - Yesterday, I shared with you information on the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! reading program that runs during the school year. But they also have a great summer reading program and an excellent website with lots of printables (I've already downloaded most of them!) for teachers and parents. They've even got recipes to go with book suggestions! And the best part? Kids in K - 6th who read 5 books or more this summer can enter to win fabulous prizes. They even have an entry form in Spanish!

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program - Kids earn a free book when they read any eight (8) books and record them in a reading journal downloadable at the Barnes & Noble website. Children must choose their free book from a selection of approved titles, but some are available in Spanish. I was especially delighted to see that their reading journal (which you can download from their website) is also available in Spanish. They also offer a free Parent Activity Kit and and Educator Kit. In addition, parents' can enter to win a Nook Color for their family with the submission of one completed journal!

Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program (from Half Price Books) - Kids 14 and under keep track of their time spent reading this summer, and those who read 600 minutes or more will receive a $5 Back-to-School Bucks summer reading reward! Readers are divided into age groups and the top reader from each group will receive a $20 HPB Gift Card. English only registration form (Boo!). At least you can spend your gift card on some bilingual books if they have any in stock!

Borders' Double-Dog Dare - Children 12 and under who read 10 books this summer, get one book free from Borders. Children must print off and fill out the official form from the Borders' website, and then submit the completed form to any of their stores (Borders, Borders Express, Waldenbooks). Again, your child has to choose their free book from a selection of 10 titles - none of which are bilingual or bicultural in nature. And they do not offer the official form in Spanish. Come on, Borders! This is the 21st Century!


Con mucho cariño...

The Scholastic Summer Challenge Is Waiting For You!

The Scholastic Summer Challenge has officially begun! Last year, students around the world logged 52,710,368 reading minutes. Were you one of them?

Studies show that many children fall behind during the summer months and have to relearn concepts in the fall once school starts again. One way that parents can help their children is to encourage them to set up a summer reading program. Make it fun by printing up reading charts, bookmarks, book plates, and more. Then sit down and set goals together. For example, you might decide that your child should read 15 minutes a day, one chapter book a week, or 20 pages every night before bed. Be sure to reward your child for the effort that he or she puts forth.

Latino children especially, need to work on developing and maintaining their literacy skills. Summer is a valuable time that parents can use to help their niños strengthen their reading skills. This is also an opportunity to read books that your child will enjoy, but might not get a chance to read in school. And I also believe that this is the perfect time to promote cultural pride and explore the diversity both within our Spanish-speaking world and outside of it. To help you get started, download the Día de los Niños Booklist that the Latin Baby Book Club has put together to celebrate diversity within the Latino culture.

If you decide to participate in the Scholastic Summer Challenge, your child can go to their site and log their reading minutes. And as added incentive to read, your child can tackle weekly challenges and be entered to win digital prizes for completing weekly goals.

Parents can also use the site to learn ways to encourage their child to read more this summer, find booklists, print activity sheets and reading certificates, as well as download the Family Participation Guide, which helps you discover ways to use the Summer Challenge at home. The guide include pledge cards, reading logs, a certificate of achievement, various Word Girl activity sheets, and more. You can even sign up to receive weekly emails about your child's reading success.

Teachers can also use the site to track their students reading progress throughout the summer. They can take advantage of the booklists, too, and download the Classroom Participation Guide to incorporate the Summer Challenge into lesson plans.

The best part of this summer reading program is, in my opinion, the fact that it is easy and open to children and families everywhere.

To register your children or students, head on over to the Scholastic Summer Challenge website and get started!

Con mucho cariño...

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way to write this post. We are just avid readers and Word Girl fans! Word up!