I Challenge YOU to Read!
Read at least three books at your reading level over the summer and then take an A.R. quiz during the first weeks of school. All children who conquer this challenge will enjoy a summer reading party and prizes. Becomes a Bel Aire Pen Pal !
Recommend three titles by August 3rd to friends over the summer! Everone who sends a card should also receive a card.
1. Self address 3 postcards.
2. Exchange postcards with three other students.
3. After reading a good book, mail your postcard book recommendation to your Pen Pal.
4. In your message explain why you are recommending the book and try to convince the addressee to read it.
5. Decorate the front of the postcard.
* Draw pictures of your favorite scene or character
* Glue on a collage of photographs about the book
* Write a quotes, interesting vocabulary words or an
important passage from the book on the front of the
postcard.
* Create a summary cartoon.
* Create a map of where the story takes place.
* Draw out a graphic organizer with personal
connections you made with the book.
6. Mail the postcards out by August 3rd. The postcard is large and will cost more than typical postcard postage. Be cure to include enough postage on the postcard.
7. On your return to school find out if you successfully convinced your pen pals to read the book.
Those who choose to participate must promise to send their postcards to friends by August 3rd.
and now for the top 10 book series from Bel Aire's
2011- 12 school year ....
Top Book Series
1. Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling's series about a marked orphan child who possesses the skills of a powerful wizard, remains the most loved book series in the Bel Aire library. Starting June 19th an electronic version of Harry Potter with be available for Amazon Prime members for free to checkout. There will also be an option to purchase the book from "Pottermore" through the Amazon store. This is the only place where an electronic copy of the book is available. Having an electronic version will help keep the weight on you airline luggage below 60 pounds.
Common Sense Media Book Review
2. Kane Chronicles
Written by the infamous Rick Riordan, this is a second series that revolves around Egyptian Mythology. The series presently consists of three books; The Red Pyramid, The Throne of Fire and The Serpent's Shadow. All books are available as eBooks.
Common Sense Media Book Review
3. Fablehaven
This magical series took Bel Aire by storm this year. This riveting series will glue itself to your child's hands. The storyline revolves around a brother and sister who are forced to stay with their grandparents while their parents go on a cruise. They soon discover that their grandparent's property is brimming with magical creatures. This book is full of action and suspense. Brandon Mull is quickly becoming a very popular children's author! This series is also available as an eBook
Common Sense Media Book Review
4. Percy Jackson & The Olympians
Rick Riordan's first series that continues to mesmerize Bel Aire readers. Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon and is sent on a quest to save the world. Each story is rich in Roman Mythology and magic.This series is also available as an eBook and is currently in Bel Aire's electronic library.
Common Sense Media Book Review
5. Peter and the Starcatchers
This fall we were blessed with a visit by both Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson. Students loved listening to them discuss how they came to create this series together. Immediately after this visit, the library was stormed! Luckily I had several copies of Peter and the Starcatchers available. Once they read the first book, they came back for the next four. This series would be a wonderful book to read together as a family and is available as an electronic book.
Common Sense Media Book Review
6. The Series of Unfortunate Events
Two years ago Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett) entertained us all with his words and wit during the 2010 Book Festival. Could this be the reason why students are so obsessed with the orphaned Baudelaire children? The Series of Unfortunate Events contains thirteen titles full of dark humor and adventure. If your child has a dry sense of humor, this may be just the right series for the summer. This series is available as an electronic book.
Common Sense Media Book Review
7. Big Nate
Like the Diary of a Wimpy kid, this 11 year old boy knows exactly how to get in trouble. The graphic novel format and humorous storyline appeals to many students. If your child hasn't read this series yet, it would serve as perfect summertime beach reading. The Big Nate stories are fun, lighthearted, and entertaining. All titles are available as electronic books.
Common Sense Media Book Review
8. The Secret Series
Written by Pseudonymous Bosch, this mysterious series of five books are reminiscent of Lemony Snickett's humor. Children love the silly and twisted humor of these books. These books are available as eBooks.
Common Sense Media Book Review
9. The Dork Diaries
Finally a female version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The Dork Diaries tell the story of a middle school age girl named Nikki, who is very concerned about her popularity and materialistic needs. It is fun, light series that would be perfect beside the pool reading. This series is available as an eBook.
Common Sense Media Book Reviews
10. The Warriors
The fictional secret life of feral cat clans are revealed in this extensive series of books. This series is constantly flying off the Bel Aire library shelves. It appears that once a child gets their claws into these books, they can't stop themselves. The Warrior series is now available as in electronic form, which might be a good idea since purchasing the complete series will definitely fill your child's bookshelves.
Honorable Mention - The Hunger Games
The best way to inspire a child to read is to forbid a title. Maybe this is part of the draw to this series? I can't even count the number of children who have been devastated by the fact that the Bel Aire library does not contain a copy of the Hunger Games. This haunting series of books confronts the dangers of a lottery style reality show in which children battle one another until death. Common Sense Media recommends the series for middle school age children (12 and up) but the decision is really between the child and their parent. Please consult the review below for guidance. The books are available in electronic form.
Common Sense Media Book Review
Read at least three books at your reading level over the summer and then take an A.R. quiz during the first weeks of school. All children who conquer this challenge will enjoy a summer reading party and prizes. Becomes a Bel Aire Pen Pal !
Recommend three titles by August 3rd to friends over the summer! Everone who sends a card should also receive a card.
1. Self address 3 postcards.
2. Exchange postcards with three other students.
3. After reading a good book, mail your postcard book recommendation to your Pen Pal.
4. In your message explain why you are recommending the book and try to convince the addressee to read it.
5. Decorate the front of the postcard.
* Draw pictures of your favorite scene or character
* Glue on a collage of photographs about the book
* Write a quotes, interesting vocabulary words or an
important passage from the book on the front of the
postcard.
* Create a summary cartoon.
* Create a map of where the story takes place.
* Draw out a graphic organizer with personal
connections you made with the book.
6. Mail the postcards out by August 3rd. The postcard is large and will cost more than typical postcard postage. Be cure to include enough postage on the postcard.
7. On your return to school find out if you successfully convinced your pen pals to read the book.
Those who choose to participate must promise to send their postcards to friends by August 3rd.
and now for the top 10 book series from Bel Aire's
2011- 12 school year ....
Top Book Series
1. Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling's series about a marked orphan child who possesses the skills of a powerful wizard, remains the most loved book series in the Bel Aire library. Starting June 19th an electronic version of Harry Potter with be available for Amazon Prime members for free to checkout. There will also be an option to purchase the book from "Pottermore" through the Amazon store. This is the only place where an electronic copy of the book is available. Having an electronic version will help keep the weight on you airline luggage below 60 pounds.
Common Sense Media Book Review
2. Kane Chronicles
Written by the infamous Rick Riordan, this is a second series that revolves around Egyptian Mythology. The series presently consists of three books; The Red Pyramid, The Throne of Fire and The Serpent's Shadow. All books are available as eBooks.
Common Sense Media Book Review
3. Fablehaven
This magical series took Bel Aire by storm this year. This riveting series will glue itself to your child's hands. The storyline revolves around a brother and sister who are forced to stay with their grandparents while their parents go on a cruise. They soon discover that their grandparent's property is brimming with magical creatures. This book is full of action and suspense. Brandon Mull is quickly becoming a very popular children's author! This series is also available as an eBook
Common Sense Media Book Review
4. Percy Jackson & The Olympians
Rick Riordan's first series that continues to mesmerize Bel Aire readers. Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon and is sent on a quest to save the world. Each story is rich in Roman Mythology and magic.This series is also available as an eBook and is currently in Bel Aire's electronic library.
Common Sense Media Book Review
5. Peter and the Starcatchers
This fall we were blessed with a visit by both Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson. Students loved listening to them discuss how they came to create this series together. Immediately after this visit, the library was stormed! Luckily I had several copies of Peter and the Starcatchers available. Once they read the first book, they came back for the next four. This series would be a wonderful book to read together as a family and is available as an electronic book.
Common Sense Media Book Review
6. The Series of Unfortunate Events
Two years ago Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett) entertained us all with his words and wit during the 2010 Book Festival. Could this be the reason why students are so obsessed with the orphaned Baudelaire children? The Series of Unfortunate Events contains thirteen titles full of dark humor and adventure. If your child has a dry sense of humor, this may be just the right series for the summer. This series is available as an electronic book.
Common Sense Media Book Review
7. Big Nate
Like the Diary of a Wimpy kid, this 11 year old boy knows exactly how to get in trouble. The graphic novel format and humorous storyline appeals to many students. If your child hasn't read this series yet, it would serve as perfect summertime beach reading. The Big Nate stories are fun, lighthearted, and entertaining. All titles are available as electronic books.
Common Sense Media Book Review
8. The Secret Series
Written by Pseudonymous Bosch, this mysterious series of five books are reminiscent of Lemony Snickett's humor. Children love the silly and twisted humor of these books. These books are available as eBooks.
Common Sense Media Book Review
9. The Dork Diaries
Finally a female version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The Dork Diaries tell the story of a middle school age girl named Nikki, who is very concerned about her popularity and materialistic needs. It is fun, light series that would be perfect beside the pool reading. This series is available as an eBook.
Common Sense Media Book Reviews
10. The Warriors
The fictional secret life of feral cat clans are revealed in this extensive series of books. This series is constantly flying off the Bel Aire library shelves. It appears that once a child gets their claws into these books, they can't stop themselves. The Warrior series is now available as in electronic form, which might be a good idea since purchasing the complete series will definitely fill your child's bookshelves.
Honorable Mention - The Hunger Games
The best way to inspire a child to read is to forbid a title. Maybe this is part of the draw to this series? I can't even count the number of children who have been devastated by the fact that the Bel Aire library does not contain a copy of the Hunger Games. This haunting series of books confronts the dangers of a lottery style reality show in which children battle one another until death. Common Sense Media recommends the series for middle school age children (12 and up) but the decision is really between the child and their parent. Please consult the review below for guidance. The books are available in electronic form.
Common Sense Media Book Review