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Home > For Librarians > A Word from Pat Scales

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

Summer is just around the corner, and public libraries have begun to plan summer reading programs. Schools are preparing summer reading lists, and parents are searching for books to send with their children to summer camp, or to take on a family vacation. Many schools feel it necessary to direct their students' reading during the summer, and to test them when they return to school in the fall. While there is some validity is asking kids, especially middle and high school students, to read a common novel and discuss it as a class, it is extremely important that teachers and parents realize the importance of allowing children to read books of their choice during summer vacation. Public library programs across the nation offer tremendous reading programs for children and teens in the summer, but some children may not have the transportation to participate. Teenagers are often busy with summer jobs, and don't find the time to take part in planned programs. Perhaps school and public libraries could plan a virtual summer reading program. Children and teens could log on and chat about books from summer camp, grandma's house, or from their own homes. They may have reading pen pals and share their favorite books. Summer reading lists could be posted so that parents might have some guidance in helping their children select books. Schools should notify the public library and local bookstores of their summer reading suggestions, so that parents don't have to search too long to find what their children need and want to read. And, teachers and school librarians should take care to include books of all genres on reading lists to accommodate all types of readers.

There are so many good reading choices that a summer reading list could include hundreds, or even thousands of books. Parents can always search online catalogs from various publishers to get reading ideas. Here are a few of my personal favorites from Random House Children's Books:

Preschool- Age 8

Ahoyty-Toyty by Helen Stephens