Roeper Reads! Summer Reading

Roeper Reads is an invitation to students to celebrate the joys of reading throughout the summer by setting a reading goal or participating in one or more challenges. While I hope everyone makes reading part of their lives each day, it is easy to get busy with other things--even if you love books! Roeper Reads is one way to be mindful about making reading a priority.

FAQs:

How do I participate?

Look at the list of options below and see what speaks to you. Some people like a lot of structure, others are looking for inspiration to make reading more exciting, while others just want to keep reading a ton of books of their choice. Choose a challenge or goal that makes sense for you. Click on the link to download a copy of the form. Complete it and send it back to me via email at carmen . flora @ roeper . org whenever you are finished or bring it in during the first week back at school. Please put "[student's name] summer reading" as the subject line.

What makes Roeper Reads special?

At many schools, summer reading is an assigned list of books. Research strongly supports giving students choice and freedom for recreational reading (and in classroom reading, as well!), so you won't find any required reading lists here. There are some lists of recommendations though, in case you're looking for ideas!

Another major difference is that many reading programs focus more on the incentives, or prizes, than on the joy of reading. Roeper Reads aims to celebrate readers and reading, but recognizes that the reason to read is because stories and information bring us pleasure, meaning, knowledge, and connection. Books are one beautiful way we can better understand the world and all those who live in it. So while you're reading (or listening!), treasure the written word and wherever you are on your journey of being a reader.

Can I do more than one challenge?

Of course!

What if I want to participate but I don't like any of the challenges listed?

I'm all about finding ways to be creative and flexible in order to meet goals in ways that work for each individual. If you have another approach, go for it!

What if my cousin/friend/parent/dog wants to participate, too?

The more, the merrier! These ideas are for everyone, so please feel free to share them. And, to quote Dav Pilkey's Dog Man, "read to your dog, man!" Seriously, reading aloud to a pet (or stuffed animal) is a great way to practice fluency and confidence as a reader.

Where should I get books?

Your public library is your friend! Your public library likely provides access to eBooks and audiobooks as well, through apps like Hoopla and Libby. Ask your children's librarian for assistance! You can also find wonderful books at your local bookstore, such as The Book Beat in Oak Park. They are doing curbside pickup and in-store shopping by appointment. Finally, see if your family has an Amazon Prime, Audible, or another account that includes eBooks or audiobooks.

What happens at the end?

Well...that's a good question. In past years, we've celebrated with a lunch party in the library--I'm hoping to bring that back in fall 2022! If that's not feasible, I will be providing a paperback book for each participant to keep.

EBooks

• • Sora is the school library version of Overdrive. You can access our eBook collection all summer long, from anywhere, by going to soraapp.com or downloading the Sora app to your device. Search for Roeper and then log in with your school library account (firstname.lastname, password is stu####)

  • EBSCO eBook K-8 Collection (fiction and nonfiction, provided through MeL.org.)

  • Your public library (Most of the local libraries provide access to ebooks through Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, or other services. Please see links to individual library websites to find out what is available at your library.)

  • Internet Archive (lots and lots and lots of free ebooks. Some require creating a free account--ask your adult before doing this! Includes books for children through adults. Free always!)

  • Epic! Books (Family accounts offer a free 30-day trial and are $7.99/month. This is an easy to use platform with over 400,000 great books! I recommend it, but regret that they don't currently offer a way for schools to provide access to families from home.)

*Bonus: Not sure what to read? Check out NoveList K-8 for a great way to search and discover the perfect books to read next.

Author/Illustrator Read-alouds

• Links to the many, many children's authors/illustrators who are sharing read-alouds of their work and offering writing/illustrating workshops via social media and their websites

• Another collection of videos and links of/to authors sharing their work through read-alouds and writing/drawing workshops

Roeper Reads Challenges!

Roeper Reads for anyone:

• • Participate in your local library's summer reading program or the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program or Amazon's Summer Reading Adventure or any other summer reading program. (Remember to print a copy of your completed reading program sheet to share with Carmen in September).

• Reading Is Resistance Challenge: Check out https://www.readingisresistance.com/resourcesandreviews to find wonderful recommendations and reading guides for anti-racist books. Pick 5 books in

• Reading Without Walls Challenges: Read 3 books that will challenge you to "expand your horizons" by taking the Reading Without Walls Challenge, created by cartoonist and MacArthur Genius Gene Luen Yang. Reading Without Walls encourages readers to learn about experiences unlike their own to build empathy, connection, and valuing of diversity. (There are three options within this challenge.)

• A to Z Reading Challenge: Read one book beginning with each letter of the alphabet.

• BINGO Challenge: Do as many challenges as you like. Pre-readers can listen instead of read and dictate or draw instead of writing.

• Friends & Favorite Books: Create a list of the best 10 books you ever read, and have a friend or family member do the same. Trade your personal "favorites" list with a friend or family member and try to read as many of each other's favorites as you can! (Carmen would love a partner for this challenge! Email me-- carmen . flora @ roeper . org)

Roeper Reads for pre-readers/listeners:

• • Color-It-In reading log (credit to Jen Ziemann for sharing and to jennifer@simplykinder.com for creating)

  • Choose one of the following lists of great picture books: 100 Favorite Picture Books, 100 Books to Read in Kindergarten, or School Library Journal's Top 100 Picture Books. Read as many of them with your child as you can this summer. Summer break is 82 days long, so plan accordingly! Tips for reading to your child.

  • Begin the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. Studies show that reading readiness begins with being read to. 1000 books is one way to start! (Note: this is less about reaching some arbitrary number and more about making a point to read to your child daily.)

Roeper Reads for independent readers:

• • Graphic Novel Challenge: Read 5 graphic novels in different genres and rate each book.

  • Take the 100 Favorite Chapter Books Challenge: Here you'll find a list of 100 favorite children's chapter books. Count up how many you have already read, then try to read that many new books from this list over the summer. Check them off as you go!

  • Camp Newsela: for anyone in or going into Stage III or Stage IV, this is an online news article "camp" that gives you interesting current events to read about at your own reading level, along with short quizzes. All Stage IV kids from 2021-2022 have accounts (username=roeper email address, password=stu####). All Stage III kids from 2021-2022 have accounts (username=firstname.lastname, password=roeper). If you're having trouble logging in, please contact me! New students can email me to get their account created or sign up using this code: YQ9EAN. Follow the steps from the link above!

If you have any questions about Roeper Reads! you can email me at carmen . flora @ roeper . org. Happy reading!

For more ideas about what to read this summer, check out these great recommendation lists!:

• 26 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race

• 25 Books to Diversify Kids' Reading Lists

  • ReadKiddoRead.com for "Ultimate Summer Reading Lists" by age and category. A great resource curated by bestselling author James Patterson

  • 28 MORE Black Picture Books that Aren't about Boycotts, Buses, or Basketball

  • Newbery Medal and Honor books (award for the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children," up to age 14)

  • Caldecott Medal and Honor books (award for the "most distinguished American illustrated book for children," up to age 14)

  • Coretta Scott King Awards and Honor books (awards for "outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values)

  • Pura Belpre Award and Honor books (award for books by a "Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth")

  • Geisel Award and Honor books (award for the "most distinguished book for beginning readers")

  • Robert F. Sibert Award and Honor books (award for the "most distinguished informational book" for children published in the U.S.)

• Carmen's favorite picture books and early readers

• Carmen's favorite chapter books

  • Carmen's favorites for advanced readers

  • Ready, Set, Read: fiction recommendations and article on the importance of summer reading

  • How to Get Kids Hooked on Nonfiction (includes reading lists by grade)