Books
May 30, 2022 Sabrina K. Marshall
With lengthy homework assignments and long hours spent studying for exams on pause, it's the perfect time for fun summer reading! To help keep those minds occupied and thriving during this time, here are 4 interesting ideas you can suggest to your young ones, or use for yourself.
- Participate in a reading challenge
- Start your own book club
- Learn how to speed read
- Create a summer reading list
There are many benefits of reading for all ages that include, increasing vocabulary, improving memory and concentration, and strengthening writing skills. It’s a win-win situation, so the sooner you start, the better.
1. Participate in a Reading Challenge
This competitive approach to reading helps you stay motivated to read more. Whether it's fun reading or educational, participating in a reading challenge helps to exercise cognitive function and increases literacy and concentration.
Scholastic has an annual summer reading program from May through August that provides a platform where kids can track their reading progress daily and participate in activities.
Barnes & Noble also has a summer reading program where kids can earn free books by reading a specified number of books, writing about it in the Barnes & Noble Reading Journal, and bringing the completed journal to a B&N bookstore.
Adults can also join in the fun and participate in reading challenges too. This is a great way to diversify your reading selection and to keep track of the number of books you’ve read for the year. Bookish websites like Goodreads allow you to set your reading goals, and Popsugar offers you a community of like minded readers where you can swap book picks or discuss the latest book you’re reading while you're reading it.
2. Start a Book Club
When you’re done reading an unputdownable book, the best part is being able to share it with your circle of friends in a group discussion. It not only encourages you to read by an agreed upon due date, but it kind of forces you to do so since you don't want to show up unprepared for the chat. (Procrastination will not be your friend).
A book club will also help to expand your comfort zone and diversify your reading list by introducing you to books that you may not normally choose. This is where it would be beneficial to start your own book club. To begin, consider the following steps:
- Determine who you want to invite to your book club
- Determine how you’ll choose the books
- Set a time limit on how long it should take to read each book, along with a due date for the completion of each book
- Coordinate the book club discussion either in person or virtually
- Create a discussion guide
- Be sure to have healthy snacks (ask each person to bring something or alternate)
- Have a healthy discussion
- Repeat
3. Learn How to Speed Read
An interesting way to get through a lot of content in a short amount of time is to learn how to speed read. This means reading and absorbing information at an expedited pace. This comes in handy when you’re trying to hit a challenging goal. It would also be a useful skill that you can carry over into areas other than casual reading, like long emails, essays, or textbooks. Here are a few tips to help you expedite your reading skills:
- Chunk words together rather than reading one word at time
- Overcome Subvocalization - this means you pronounce the words in your head as you read. I think this is tough not to do, but practice to capture groups of words rather than individual ones
- Minimize distractions and read in a quiet area
- Use a pointer such as a pen or your finger to scroll along each line…quickly
Be sure to practice and master the technique as best as possible. Studies have shown that reading too fast could mean you retain less information and recall fewer details of the content, therefore I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re studying for a test!
4. Make Great Selections of Books
Lastly, you have to be interested and entertained in order to make this an enjoyable experience. Select genres that captivate you most. Some people gravitate toward YA, Thriller, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure… there are so many to choose from! Each year Barnes & Noble creates a robust reading list, capturing all genres and all ages. You'll be sure to find a variety of compelling books to enjoy.
Here are some middle grade options to consider for your summer reading list.
Twins
Varian Johnson
Ages 8-12
You don’t have to be a twin to be a fan of this story about twin girls entering middle school. They soon realize their once shared interests have changed and their once close bond is growing apart. This graphic novel will be a quick read only to leave you wanting more.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
A.F. Steadman
Ages 8-12
This fantasy novel paints an imaginative world where unicorns aren’t the innocent, rainbow horned beings we’re accustomed to reading about in fairytales. You'll take a journey with 13 year old Skandar in his quest to become a unicorn rider, while he overcomes suspenseful challenges along the way. This book will have you hooked within the first few pages.
Witchlings
Claribel A. Ortega
Ages 8-12
12 year old Seven Salazar is faced with the impossible task that could seal the fate of her coven to either gain full witch powers, or face the risk of being turned into a toad. This magical tale is a real page-turner.
Tristan Punches a Hole in the Sky
Kwami Mbalia
Ages 8-12.
African American Folktales and West African mythology are the foundation of this fantasy-mythology book. Tristan Strong discovers strength and wit he never knew existed when the journal his best friend left behind for him gets taken. He's determined to do whatever it takes to get it back, even chasing after a mysterious doll named Gum Baby in the darkness of night. Soon, he's thrusted into an underground world where everything is far from normal.
Onyx and The Blue Mountain Mistery
Ages 9-12
Onyx, a sharp-witted Jamaican puppy, stumbles upon an enchanted dream potion that reveals two things; being reunited with his long-lost father and being hexed with a bad luck curse from Empress Yaga Yaga, a master Dreamwalker who hexes her enemies through their dreams. But why is Onyx her enemy? He and his best friend, Tunda, will soon find out.
