The last few days or weeks of summer vacation can be brutal for both parents and kids. The excitement of summer’s early days are long over, the summer camps are done, the thrill of idle time has dissipated and, if you caught your kids in a moment of weakness you might even get them to admit that they can’t wait to get back to school. They stumble around the house wearing that expression of eye-glazing boredom. Even the eager readers have hit the book wall, exhausting all the interesting books they wanted to read over the summer months. The reluctant readers gave up weeks ago.
But lucky for you, North Paran has come up with some books that your kid has likely missed this summer””books that are fun and full of juicy lessons, books that might make your child forget that school is looming on the horizon. For your parenting pleasure, here are 6 Books for Your Kid to Read Before School Starts.
Remember: For every book you purchase at NorthParan.com, a new book will be given to a child in need!
1. Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big by Chris Paul
Everybody told Chris that he was too small to play basketball. But he ignored them all…because he had big dreams. NBA star Paul tells the inspirational story of how his dreams of success as a player came true despite his small size. (age 4-8)
2. How to (Almost) Ruin Your School Play by Valerie Wilson Wesley
When Tina, Willie’s big sister, gets to cast and direct the next school play, Willie assumes that she is a slam-dunk for the lead, but she’s cast as a tree. And without saying a single word, Willie still manages to disrupt opening night. (age 7-10)
3. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s brave, defiant poem is accompanied by the daring vision of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Together, they create a place where every child may experience his or her own fearlessness. (age 8-11)
4. The Dear One by Jacqueline Woodson
Feni is furious when she finds out that her mother has agreed to take a 15-year-old pregnant girl into their home until her baby is born. Feni decides she will have nothing to do with with the visitor. But it’s hard not to be curious about a girl so close to her in age who “seems” so different. (age 12 and up)
5. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
FADE IN: INTERIOR: Early morning in CELL BLOCK D, MANHATTAN DETENTION CENTER. Steve (Voice-Over) Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie. Maybe I can make my own movie. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I’ll call it what the lady prosecutor called me … Monster. (age 12 and up)
6. Hotlanta by Denene Millner
Twins Sydney and Lauren Duke attend Atlanta’s finest school and live in the most exclusive neighborhood. After their estranged father is released from prison and a murder is committed, their lives are plunged into a whirlwind of tabloid scrutiny, vicious gossip, and shocking revelation. First in a three-part series. (teenagers)