Kids bored? Check out these summer reading recommendations

Quail Ridge Books and Music offers these summer reading suggestions for kids.

Posted 12:23 a.m. Jul 14, 2011 — Updated 12:23 a.m. Jul 14, 2011

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Quail Ridge Books and Music offered these summer reading suggestions for kids the other week. I thought I'd pass them along in case your kids are looking for something to do.

We'll start with some classics.

Check out Newbery Medal and Honor recipients - there are almost 90 years of Newbery's to choose from. Among them: James Ullman's "Banner in the Sky," which takes you on an unforgettable ascent into the Alps with 16-year-old Rudi. Or there's "House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Fisher, where people are not as simply good or evil as they seem. And then there is "Gone-Away Lake," by Elizabeth Enright, about a summer of discovery.
Quail Ridge has a whole table of must read books for kids under age 5. They include older books such as "The Story About Ping," by Marjorie Flack, and "The Little House," by Virginia Lee Burton (I love this book), along with the newer "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, "Each Peach Pear Plum," by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg, and "Pete the Cat," by James Dean and Eric Litwin.

And there are some new, recommended books for kids from Quail Ridge:

"The Great Race" by Kevin O'Malley is a retelling of tortoise and the hare. Nate Tortoise is tired of Lever Lapin's boasting and challenges him to a race. For ages 4 and up.
"Kindergators: Hands Off, Harry," is by Rosemary Wells, the creator of Max and Ruby. Even in a large classroom, the personalities of these gators are clearly defined. Teachers especially will identify with Miss Harmony, who gently teaches the rambunctious Harry how to respect his classmates. And kids will come away with a new understanding of the "Harrys" in their lives. For ages 4 and up.
You don't have to be a Fancy Nancy devotee (that's a fancy word for "fan") to enjoy "Fancy Nancy: Express Yourself," a doodle and draw book by illustrator Robin Glasser with ideas to get kids started. For ages 5 and up.
And "Anna Hibiscus," by Atinuke is the first in a series from Britain now being published here. Anna lives in "amazing Africa" with her extended family. Young readers will be enchanted by their introduction to life and culture in Africa with Anna. Adult readers of Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency books will understand the charm of gently being immersed in a new land. For ages 7 and up.

And don't forget about all the summer reading programs at local libraries. There still plenty of time to take part. Click here for the details.

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