Daddy Adventure Day

by David Keane

Summary: Daddy Adventure Days are always special, and this one, featuring a boy's first visit to a baseball stadium, is no exception.

This book has fantastic water color and digital collage illustrations. The story is great for celebrating fathers and the small sacrifices they make on a day out. Dads, read this to your child on Father’s Day or any day!

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Why Do I Have To Make My Bed?

by Wade Bradford

Summary: When a boy asks his mother why he must make his bed, she tells him a story about his ancestors who posed the same question through the centuries, going all the way back to a cave boy and his mother.

This is a humorous introduction to historical fiction! A teacher could discuss how one can pick a fiction book from any of these times that interest them. Another follow up activity option is to research place in different eras. This book is best suited for school age children. It is somewhat lengthy for younger children. The story is also appropriate for this summer’s national public library theme One World, Many Stories.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet

by Leslie McGuirk

Summary: This book displays photographs of rocks that resemble the letters of the alphabet and objects represented by each letter.

This is a very unique book. The author devoted a page at the end of the book to describing how she found each rock photographed in the book. I recommend reading this book to children who are close to mastering the alphabet. An appropriate question to ask is, “What letter does this look like?” The photographs may be confusing to children who have recently begun to learn the alphabet.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Summer Reading Theme 2011: You Are Here Reads for grades 6-8

These Hands

by Margaret H. Mason

Summary: An African-American man tells his grandson about a time when, despite all the wonderful things his hands could do, they could not touch bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Based on stories of bakery union workers; includes historical note.

This is a wonderful picture book to share with children in conjunction with a Black History or Civil Rights lesson. The illustrations are simple and beautiful, like the text.

Interest Level: grades K-3

Reading Level: grade 3

Numbers on the Move

 by Teresa Benzwie

Summary: Young children learn by moving and dancing in this playful book.

This is an incredible book for kinesthetic learners! It is believed that certain children learn best by moving or kinesthetically. The book teaches counting and other number concepts with physical activities. I recommend this book to use in any classroom that has children who like to move.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

The Adventures of Mark Twain By Huckleberry Finn

by Robert Burleigh

Summary: Presents a biography of Mark Twain told from the perspective of one of his most famous characters, Huckleberry Finn.

This is an outstanding biography. The Huckleberry Finn in this book narrates in the vernacular of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry. This makes the book interesting, though at times difficult to follow, especially for younger children. This book is a great read aloud “hook” for a first lesson on any Mark Twain story.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 5