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Kidsreads.com Newsletter |
May 2004 |
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Winding Down and Making an Important List |
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This next month is a crazy blur. Depending where you live school will end sometime in the next month. As a result, this month is all about the school play or recital, end-of-year tests, last papers and projects, award ceremonies and cleaning out your desk.
At the same time sports are wrapping up their seasons so you are constantly in this run run run mode.
Whew!
You will NEED summer vaca when this is over. Before you get all revved up for your summer activities take some time to make a list --- your own personal summer reading list. Decide what books you want to read this summer and what your reading goal is going to be. Think about what time of day you want to set aside for reading. Then follow your plan.
And think about knocking off some of your required summer reading early in the summer instead of ahem, waiting for the week before school starts! I know...you would NEVER do this? (Uncross those fingers behind your back!)
Think about donating a book to your classroom with a special note your teacher may remember you by. Imagine kids in next year's class seeing this book and wondering who YOU were!
Enjoy these last few days of school...
Booker T Worm for Kidsreads.com |
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Cool New Books for May |
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Some familiar faces and an important story about memory loss are featured in this month's roundup of cool new books. The ever-popular Nancy Drew has returned to solve her fifth mystery in Simon & Schuster's brand new series of novels. Meanwhile, Andrew, Judy and Thudd are trying desperately to outsmart Soggy Bob Sloggins in their seventh adventure, ANDREW LOST: ON THE REEF. And Maria Shriver, inspired by her own father's struggle with Alzheimer's disease, has written WHAT'S HAPPENING TO GRANDPA, an emotional story in which a girl must cope with her grandfather's increasing forgetfulness and the impact it has on her family. |
Read our Cool New Books for May feature here.
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ALEX RIDER Series by Anthony Horowitz -- And a CONTEST to Enter by May 31st |
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Here is the latest on this bestselling series. If you have not read the Alex Rider series, now is the time to get started!
Following the untimely death of his beloved uncle, teenager Alex Rider is recruited by Britain's top-secret intelligence agency to investigate some of the most high profile and dangerous men in the world. He faces challenges that even adults would find impossible to handle, including intense military training, high-speed chases and bullfights. You'll be cheering for Alex every step of the way, as this brave and determined boy puts his life on the line to make the world a safer place for all.
In this feature, you'll learn more about Alex Rider and his heart-stopping adventures, meet the man who has written the books, take a fun quiz, and much more!
ALEX RIDER Contest
To celebrate the publication of EAGLE STRIKE --- the latest book in Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series --- Kidsreads.com is running a contest where 20 readers will have a chance to win a copy of this exciting suspense novel! You have till May 31st to enter. |
Read all about the Alex Rider series and our Contest here.
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Series Update: Chet Gecko |
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The original leading man in Mr. Ratnose's musical version of Shakespeare's "Omlet, Prince of Denver?" has disappeared, and it's up to Chet Gecko to solve this baffling mystery --- and avoid a dreaded lip-lock with the female lead! |
Read our Chet Gecko series feature here.
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Series Update: Andrew Lost |
If you have ever wondered:
What's the length of the Great Barrier Reef?
What makes a clam open and close its shell?
What's the gooey substance that mussels spread?
What's the intelligence level of an octopus?
What's a surprising ingredient that can be found in ice cream, pudding and milkshakes?
It's time for you to read ANDREW LOST: ON THE REEF, the latest in the Andrew Lost series. |
Read more about the Andrew Lost series here.
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Series Update: Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective #5 |
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Nancy becomes involved in a big River Heights crime --- both on-screen and off. A producer comes to shoot a reenactment of the heist that gave the town its name, and he thinks Nancy is perfect for the part of Esther, sister of the thieving Rackham boys. Nancy accepts his offer and the cameras start rolling --- but that's when the trouble starts: food-poisoning, a broken generator, and to top it off, a lion who is supposed to star in the movie gets out of his cage and lunges towards Nancy! |
Read more about this title and the four others in the Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective series.
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Matt Christopher Fan Club --- Vote in the Poll |
Matt Christopher is thinking of starting a Matt Christopher Fan Club for kids. He wants to know if YOU would want to join a club, and what you would want for being a member.
Vote and let him know! |
Vote about the Matt Christopher Fan Club here.
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Reviews and Features |
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THE FIRE-EATERS by David Almond
The Cuban Missile Crisis in autumn 1962 is the backdrop to this coming-of-age story about a boy growing up in a small, coastal town in the north of England. Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood and excerpted.
NORTH by Donna Jo Napoli
With African-American Arctic explorer Matthew Henson as his inspiration, twelve-year-old Alvin journeys on his own to the Arctic from Washington, D.C. and learns much about the Inuk way of life and survival. Reviewed by Carlie Webber and excerpted.
NEVER MIND! A Twin Novel by Avi and Rachel Vail
Meg and Edward Runyon are twins, yet they appear to be polar opposites. They only have a few things in common: birthdays, parents --- and driving each other crazy! Reviewed by Kristi Olson and excerpted.
CHU JU'S HOUSE by Gloria Whelan
In rural China, daughters like Chu Ju are not valued or desired. Instead, young Chu Ju must learn to value herself as she makes her own way in the world. Reviewed by Norah Piehl and excerpted.
THE VAMPIRE PRINCE: Cirque du Freak, Book Six by Darren Shan
After witnessing the murder of his friend and advisor at the hands of the Vampire Prince Kurda Smahlt, Darren Shan knows he is the only one who can save the vampires from a traitor. Reviewed by Carlie Webber.
HUNTERS OF THE DUSK: Cirque du Freak, Book Seven by Darren Shan
Darren must travel with his mentor and another Vampire Prince to hunt the Vampaneze Lord and save the vampires from destruction. Reviewed by Carlie Webber.
THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF GIRLS by Frances O'Roark Dowell
In this poignant read, best friends Kate and Marylin develop different interests as they enter sixth grade. Marylin starts to obsess about boys and kissing, while Kate thinks about basketball moves and insects. Can this friendship be saved? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
SNAP by Alison McGhee
In her first children's novel, well-known adult author Alison McGhee tells the bittersweet story of Edwina Beckey, whose efforts to control her fears and her bad habits are challenged by the terminal illness of her best friend's beloved grandmother. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE CROW-GIRL: The Children of Crow Cove by Bodil Bredsdorff
Bodil Bredsdorff's first novel to be published in the United States is a sweet story of a young girl's search for a new life after her grandmother passes away. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.
IN DARKNESS, DEATH by Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler
Judge Ooka, Japan's own real-life Sherlock Holmes, and his 14-year-old apprentice Seikei embark on a strange journey in search of the individual responsible for the murder of Lord Inaba. Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub.
THE WILLOUGHBY SPIT WONDER by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
It's 1953 and the Korean War is over, but Carter Johnston loves to watch the navy bombers come and go as they guard against the Communist threat. But with his family now facing a different kind of threat, Carter dreams of being a superhero. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.
NAMING MAYA by Uma Krishnaswami
During her summer vacation, Maya is drawn into a complicated friendship with the eccentric Kamala Mami and is forced to examine the history of her parents' divorce --- all the more painful because she believes the trouble began with the choosing of her name. Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub. |
Read our reviews and features here.
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Poll: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban --- The Movie! |
Are you planning to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?
Yes, the day it comes out.
Yes, as soon as I can.
No, I am not planning to see it.
Not sure what I am going to do.
I am not planning to see it in the theatre; I will wait till it comes out on video.
Are you re-reading HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN in anticipation of the movie coming out?
Yes
No
Not sure |
Answer the Poll here.
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Want to know my favorite part about this newsletter? You can forward it to a friend by clicking the button on the bottom of the page. What could be easier? Now it's really easy to share your favorite book newsletter with friends, teachers and librarians! Can you tell I am excited? I hope you are too.
Remember to be safe online. NEVER tell anyone personal information --- which includes your real name, age, address, phone number or school. Hey, pretend you are undercover when you go online and protect yourself at all times!
Keep reading! Until next week...
Booker T. Worm and Friends
Kidsreads.com
The Book Report Network
250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228
New York, New York 10107 |
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