Summer reading

I LOVE to read and my kids love to read ... so reading the books is not a problem. I think that if the kids are on vacation from school then any summer reading should be optional.
va·ca·tion- noun

a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday: Schoolchildren are on vacation now.

HUMM key words here suspension of work

My kids will be the first to tell you we are the mean parents we make our kids do some kind of school work over the summer just to keep their little brains going. We do a lot of reading on our own. This year my oldest is going to take two classes over the summer one on grammar ( which I could use myself) and one on writing. They only last a week and are two hours a day.

I think having the option of having summer assignment is great BUT it should not count against them if they don't do it. Have them write a paper on the book or take a test and then use that as an EXTRA grade. If you want the whole class to read something together then do it during the school year....I'm just saying

6th grade
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan

9th grade
Animal Farm, by George Orwell
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding

My Love Affair with Books

This is my Dream House...



I worked at the book fair at Justin's school yesterday and today. I love being around books and it is so fun to see how excited the kids are when they get to pick out the books they want.

I come from a family of readers both my parents, all of my grandparents and as far as I know all my Aunts and Uncles are readers. We will read anything if I am sitting at the table by myself and don't have a book I will read the back of the cereal box even if I have read it a hundred times before. I read before I go to sleep at night even if it is just a page or two.

When I was little my dad would read to me. I have very clear memories of him reading " The Wind in the Willows" to me. He would come home from work or school take a shower and then I would sit in his lap and read. I hope that my children have fond memories of Drew and I reading to them.

I use to love when we would get the scholastic book order forms. I would sit for hours picking just the right books. We never had a lot of money but we always seemed to have money for books. I honestly don't remember my parents ever telling me no when I wanted to buy books. I have a hard time telling my kids no. In "my world" you can never have to many books.

Trips to the library are another fond childhood memory. When we lived in Columbia SC we use to go to a small branch. I read so many books that the librarian would often help me find books in the adult section that were OK for me to read. I read well above my grade level. This is where I first discovered the book "Mrs.Mike" one of my all time favorites.

I usually read at least 2 books a week and depending on what I am reading and what is going on in my life sometimes I am reading two books at the same time. When I was in high school I would have a book at school, a book in my room and a book in the bathroom. Somehow I could keep all the plots straight and enjoy them all. I was also known to read and watch TV at the same time which drove my grandmother crazy. I still do this sometimes but not as often as I did when I was young.

One of my dreams in life is to own a library. I volunteer at the media centers at both the elementary and middle schools. I enjoy working with the kids and with the media center specialist. I have become friends with them and we always have a good time together.

I read all kinds of books, Mysteries are my favorite but I will read just about anything. I still enjoy reading children's books. I recently bought a book called " The White Giraffe" at the middle school book fair. It is a very sweet story about a girls whose parents die ( you find that out in the first page so I haven't ruined anything I promise) and she goes to live in Africa with her grandmother.

Another of my all time favorites that I read again and again is " The Hiding Place" I would have loved to meet these two ladies. If you haven't read their story please do no mater what your beliefs it will change how you look at life. At lease it did and still does for me.

I am so thankful that my parents were able to teach me to love to read. It is a connection to them that I will always have with me. I hope that I have passed that same love to Chase and Justin and that they in return will pass it on to their children.

What are some of your favorite books? I would love to hear from you I am always looking for the next great read.

You would think that I would be a better writer with all the books I read. Oh well I try.