Scholastic Reading Report

Scholastic 2008 Kids and Family Reading Report

This is a link to Scholastic's survey results on reading opinions and habits among young people. Here's a sample: 2 out of 3 children surveyed believed that within the next 10 years, most books which are read for fun will be read digitally – either on a computer or on another kind of electronic device. That is a scary, sad thought. Children should know the joy of a new book with fresh, crisp pages. They should be familiar with the smell of a book and the way the spine of a well-loved book is bent and broken at the good parts.

21 - Uglies, Scott Westerfeld

This is a very cool book. It reminded me a bit of The Giver by Lois Lowry. What a scary world it would be if we all looked the same and thought the same starting at age 16. The idea that biology chooses what is "beautiful" is intriguing, but honestly, after all the years of human existence, don't you think people would have naturally selected only the beautiful? I mean, surely ugly people couldn't reproduce if we naturally selected only the prettiest people. A flaw in the arguments of the powers that be in the book. :)

I am excited to read the other three books in this series, but I promised my husband I wouldn't buy any more books before my birthday (June 30), and probably I won't really buy much until we move at the end of July. So...it may be awhile, but I will get to them.

20 - The Sea of Monsters, Rick Riordan

This was a really fun book! I think it's very cool how Riordan combines Greek mythology with modern stuff, such as the Bermuda Triangle! It's so creative. I liked seeing Percy develop throughout this book and I really enjoyed his newfound powers. They are very appropriate for a son of the Sea God. I also really liked the ending. It did not occur to me that the Golden Fleece might truly heal the Thalia's pine tree, even beyond purging the poison. I just wish Annabeth and Chiron were happier about it, even though I understand why they are scared. I wonder what will happen to Percy and Annabeth's friendship now?

A recommendation

Mom recommended a book to me today. I think I will check it out because I love apocalyptic stories. The end of the world haunts my dreams and fascinates me. It's called Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven. It's about what happens to civilization as we know it when a giant comet collides with Earth. I'm very interested in locating and reading it.

I bought new books!

Because I was an awesome stage manager for Overtones, I received a $25 gift card for Barnes and Noble from the amazing cast and crew. :) I went to spend it tonight, which is always fun, even though I didn't need more books.

I bought three books.

Uglies, Scott Westerfeld - I don't know too much about this series, but one of my friends at work was reading it and it looks very interesting. We shall see, and maybe I will discover a new series to read.

Gossamer, Lois Lowry - This is another book from the author of The Giver, which I missed out on reading in middle school but discovered in college. I can't wait to read it.

Freedom Writers Diary, The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell - I LOVE this movie. :) I am really excited about the book. I think I might want to do something like this in an advanced middle school language arts classroom or if I ever taught high school.

I am going to show a little self-discipline and finish the other books I have started before I move on to these new ones. I can't wait!

Coming Soon!

August 2, 2008 Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer

September 20, 2008 Brisingr, Christopher Paolini

October 7, 2008 Inkdeath, Cornelia Funke

December 12, 2008 Twilight (the movie!)

Also, in 2009 they are supposed to be releasing Inkheart the movie! :)

Now reading...

Invincible, Troy Denning - A very exciting Legacy of the Force novel! I bought it in hardback because I couldn't wait. :)

Gregor de las tierras altas, Suzanne Collinns - Since I'm reading this in Spanish, it's taking forever. I really like it, though...it's a good little story. I'm glad it has a sequel. :)

The Sea of Monsters, Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson starts his second summer as an acknowledged son of the gods by getting in even more trouble than usual. I especially like how the Mist confuses him, even though he is a demigod, just because he's not paying attention.

Needless to say, all reading is slow due to the end of the school year, the job searching, and the remnants of Overtones. However, everything I am reading is really good! I think I ended up reading three books because I have been so busy that my books are all over the place and I just grab a new one when I need it instead of looking for the one I am reading at the time. It's ok, though...I like reading more than one book at a time.

I think I need to try and finish one of the books in English so I can concentrate better. Maybe that should be my goal for this weekend. :)