Eight tips for getting your kids hooked on books -- ebooks or the paper kind.

"Kids become lifelong readers for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes there's one key book that captures a kid's imagination. Other times, a teacher assigns a great book that sparks a hunger for more big ideas and fine writing. Or a librarian puts the right book in a kid's hands just when they need it. Or kids see parents, caregivers, or siblings read for pleasure". Keep reading for great tips from Common Sense Media for families.

"I'm a firm believer in quiet time and one of my best secrets to make it successful is read along books. Here are the best apps that read aloud to your child while they follow along with the pictures." Read more of Jansen's helpful tips here.

In recent months, school and classroom libraries have seen a marked increase in book challenges, attempts by well-meaning adults to remove books they don’t like from circulation so they’re no longer available to readers. ALL readers. Not just their own children.

As an educator and librarian, and a person who cares about both books and kids, I have to push back. Our library and classroom libraries have a responsibility to serve all of the young readers in our care. Not just kids from one cultural background or religion. Not just kids whose lives have looked the way we want kids’ lives to look. Not just the kids whose parents show up at school school events.

Thank you for supporting ALL of our students and their freedom to read!

The Vermont Schools Shared Digital Collection on SORA is an online collection of ebooks and audiobooks built just for schools. It is accessed through the Sora website or app. 

HES & WES both choose "Mountain View Union Elementary School" and login using your school email account. 

PRO TIP - link your library card from your public library to the SORA app and double your available collection of books!

Comics Plus is a digital collection of hundreds, maybe thousands, of graphic novels for every age and reading level. Log in with your school Google account and explore what's available. 

Epic! includes ebooks, read-to-me books, and audiobooks by grade level. It's free for students to use with their class code during school hours, 7am-4pm, Mon.-Fri. You will need to be invited to sign up with a special code from your teacher (email them to get it), then you can access class collections, assigned books, and books you've chosen for free-reading. 

Epic! also offers Free and Unlimited (paid) versions for after school reading (after 4pm Mon.-Fri. and on weekends). Learn more here. 

A Libro.fm article by Sara Hildreth

"Here are some of the ways you can use audiobooks in your home or classroom to support emerging readers, build reading confidence, and promote a lifelong love of books. You can also find playlists of great audiobooks to get you started for each range!" Read more here.

A Rewire article by Gretchen Brown

"In other words, audiobooks and podcasts can be great alternatives if books aren’t your thing. They’re just as mentally engaging".  READ MORE HERE

Check out our new collection of ebooks and audiobooks on Sora.

A Libro.fm article by Sara Hildreth

"Classics can be daunting in any form...But there are many reasons why audiobooks can make even the most dense and lengthy classics more accessible and enjoyable for every type of reader. Read on to learn just a few."