Weigh in on Summer Reading 2010

I've got a working list going of candidates for the 2010 summer reading list. Take a look and let me know if you have others I should be considering or if  you've read any books on this list and have some feedback for me. (I have not read them all!!) I'm inviting students to come to talk with me today, and am also inviting parents and staff to provide their thoughts and opinions as well. In addition, I always get great info from Beverly Public Library colleagues and the staff at Banbury Cross Bookshop in Wenham.

Just Read: How Do You Spell g-e-e-k? by Julie Anne Peters

I picked this up based on (a) the author and (b) the cover - it's definitely eye-catching. The author, Julie Anne Peters, also wrote Define "Normal", one of the big hits of our summer reading the past couple of years. And the cover is definitely memorable! When I looked more closely, it was about 3 girls who are into spelling bees. I loved the movie Spellbound and also enjoyed watching Akeelah and the Bee (predictible but well done), so I figured it was worth a look.

OK, so that's why I picked the book - what did I think of it? It was pretty good. Not memorable, but a good read. The main character befriends a goofy looking/dressing new kid who's been homeschooled, and in the process her (former) best friend becomes alienated, although that's mostly her own doing (the friend's). A bit predicable, and I wished the book had been a little longer so there had been more time to develop the characters in more depth. I liked the spelling words with their pronunciation given, but that might slow down or frustrate some younger readers. The book is relatively short (maybe 125 p. or so) and readable, and since it's by Peters, it could appeal to some kids who are not huge readers, but they could find the somewhat obscure spelling words a bit of a stumbling block. Or maybe not - maybe they'll enjoy the word play. All in all - recommended, but maybe not heartily. Probably best for 5th-7th grade girls.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a national public awareness campaign to encourage everyone to protect their computers and our cyber infrastructure. 

The website StaySafeOnline.org has information and lesson plans for parents and educators, as well as for businesses and other users.

Protect Your Children includes sections on safety and security, cyberbullying, and safe searching and monitoring.

The K-12 Educator section has lesson plans, contest information, and reviews a national study about K-12 cyber security.