Neil Cummins Library  
Reading Lists (Summer 2008 and Beyond)

One of the goals of the language arts and library programs at Neil Cummins School is the creation of lifelong readers.  Please encourage your children to read everyday - everything they can. Start the day with the back of the cereal box, followed by the morning comics, magazines, picture books, novels, box scores, everything.  Children enjoy reading more as their speed increases. Speed comes with experience!  Summer is a great time to read whatever they like, but they must read!

Read aloud to your children regularly.   Be a "reading model" for your children.  Talk with them about what both of you are reading and share with them your own enjoyment of books.  What is it about a particular story that captures and keeps your interest? What kinds of writing do you prefer?  What do they like, and why?  Encourage them to challenge themselves, trying different authors and all kinds of stories.   

Make books available at home for children to read on their own.  Our public libraries are wonderful community resources and should be regular stops for the whole family.  The Corte Madera and Larkspur Library "summer reading" programs are a great way to encourage children to read.  Let your reward to them and to yourself, be the purchase of a special book(s) to savor over time, at home, any time they wish.

These lists of books may be helpful when making selections at the public library or at the bookstore. For ease of use, they are organized into the following main sections: Picture Books, Beginning Readers, Short Chapter Books, and Intermediate Fiction. Please don't feel restricted by these divisions. What may be appropriate for an entering fourth grader to read on his/her own may also be appropriate for a second grader to hear read aloud.  At the same time a third grader should not miss some of the wonderful illustration being done at the picture book level, etc.  If your child has not read or heard these stories, plan to enjoy some together and encourage them to try others on their own.  There are lots of great books available, so take these lists as basic and very "bare bones" guides to some wonderful family reading.

In the interest of doing our part to save the environment, these lists of recommendations will not be distributed to individual students. Instead the lists will be available on the Neil Cummins Library web site and at local libraries and bookstores.

http://www.neilcummins.org/library

Have a wonderful summer, reading!

Carol Halpern - District Librarian