Mormon Life - Summer Reading tag

Summer Reading List for Kids

Tue, 24 May 2011 00:33:00 -0600

by Holly Newton
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out this awesome book list both you and your kids will enjoy reading and discussing. Summer is coming! Here’s a list of great kids’ reads to keep the kids busy, beginning with picture books. There are a lot of great and newly published picture books, but I look for inventive, interactive, fun or teachable books when selecting picture books to review.

(For our Summer Reading List for Adults & Young Adults, click here.)

There Are Cats in this Book, by Viviane Schwarz, fits the first two components for me to review. This creative book has three lively cats that want you to become involved in their games, such as tossing a ball of yarn or lifting flaps to try to find them. You even get a chance to save them as they are swept into a tidal wave of water. And, if this book isn’t enough fun, there’s a follow-up book, There are NO Cats in this Book, also by Schwartz. Now the three fun-loving cats wish to leave the book to see the world. There’s more fun here with a fold-out as well as a giant pop-up. Both books have the same brush and ink drawings that splash across the pages with exuberant energy. So what are you waiting for? Go find these active cats!

Interrupting Chicken, by David Ezra Stein, is this year’s Caldecott Honor book, and its award is richly deserved. It’s time for little red chicken to go to bed and she wants a story. As Papa begins three different stories, he is constantly interrupted by little red chicken. When she tells him a story, guess who finally falls asleep? There are water-color spreads with Papa and child as the focal points. When the stories begin, the colors cleverly change to black and white. If your little ones interrupt, this might be a tale for them!

Wordless books are great for conversation. Here are four fabulous books that beg for on-lookers to discuss:

Beaver is Lost, by Elisha Cooper, is a clever pencil and watercolor palate about Beaver as he accidentally floats down the river on a log that ends up in a city lumberyard. As you follow Beaver’s adventure, the few words written are the title words and home, when he finally jumps back in the river to swim home.

Where’s Walrus?, by Stephen Savage, is an off-shoot from Where’s Waldo but in a much simpler format. A walrus escapes from the zoo as a zookeeper is in hot pursuit. Each retro-drawn page has the walrus hiding in plain sight and looking like the surroundings. Check out a shop’s window mannequins wearing red hats along with the walrus, who is standing next to them. This book will bring a smile!

The Lion & the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney, was last year’s Caldecott medal winner. This wordless book takes you through Aesop’s fable but with the majesty of Pinkney’s watercolor Africa. No wonder this book won!

Lost & Found, by Shaun Tan, has a few words throughout and is filled with such amazing imagery, detail, and imagination that you’ll likely find yourself pouring over the book again and again. There are actually three tales that deal with how we lose and then find what really means the most to us. Mr. Tan is a most gifted storyteller through his paintings. This book is good for ages 8 to 12.

The next two books are good for early chapter readers and both have black-and-white illustrations sprinkled throughout:

Zigzag Kids #3: Flying Feet, by Patricia Reilly Giff, with illustrations by Alasdair Bright, features innovator Charlie who can’t wait to show off his newly invented flying feet. But what if his shoes don’t work? This fun book invites readers to learn from their mistakes and never give up.

The Deadlies: Felix Takes the Stage, by Kathryn Lasky, with illustrations by Stephen Gilpin, is a story ultimately about the importance of home. A family of spiders must now move out of Philharmonic Hall after Felix, a most creative spider, makes his presence known to the conductor. Their adventures and mishaps as they travel cross-country in search for a new home will keep you turning pages to the very end.

The rest of the books are good for ages 9 to 12:

Framed, by Gordon Korman, is the third installment featuring 12-year-old Griffin and his gang. Griffin has been wrongfully accused of stealing a Super Bowl ring from the display case, and now he’s headed to the jail for kids. But he and his gang are about to solve this mystery. The story is hilarious; you just may want to go back to read the other two also featuring Griffin, Swindle and Zoobreak.

Beyonders: A World without Heroes, by Brandon Mull, has 13-year-old Jason suddenly being whisked away to a magical world where an evil emperor prevails. This land has no one to overcome the evil lord and Jason, along with Rachel, a girl who has also been transported, needs to fight with the people living there as they try to find their way home. This book looks to be as exciting as Mull’s previous bestselling Fablehaven series.

On the Blue Comet, by Rosemary Wells, with colorful and nostalgic illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline, is the adventure you’ll want to read for summer. Eleven-year-old Oscar is about to go on the train ride of his life when he finds that time has moved from one decade to another. This historical fiction has many exciting elements which include time travel and mystery. You’ll love this read!

Alienated, by David O. Russell and Andrew Auseon, has two friends discovering that aliens are real, and publishing a small weekly newspaper in order to disclose the whereabouts of the aliens. But now they’ve discovered that the aliens they have written about have gone missing. What’s happened to them? Are they hiding deeper in earth, or have they been kidnapped by the evil alien overlord? The storyline is riddled with humor and anticipation as the friends try to discover what’s happening to these creatures from outer space.

The Emerald Atlas, by John Stephens, is a thrilling book that evokes magic, adventure, and excitement. Three siblings are bounced from one orphanage to another until they finally arrive at an excessively large, old house. When they begin exploring the many rooms, they discover a green book that they magically fall into. They are transported back to the recent past where they discover some enchanting and captivating people. The Emerald Atlas is overly large, with 417 pages, but that’s a good thing. Once you start, you won’t want it to end. And there’s more good news: two more books are planned for this trilogy.

--
Holly Evans Newton has taught kindergarten through 7th grades for 25 years and writes a weekly children’s book review column. She travels around the country presenting book review presentations to elementary schools where she reviews the top books of the year.

Summer Reading List for Adults & Young Adults

Wed, 11 May 2011 12:49:00 -0600

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

(For our Summer Reading List for Kids, click here.)

Band of Sisters by Annette Lyon; 2010 Whitney Award winner. When the war on terror calls their husbands to duty, five LDS women are left behind to fight battles of their own: Kim, newlywed and pregnant, frightened of what the future might bring. Brenda, struggling to manage three unruly boys and a crippling bout of depression. Jessie, secretly grappling with mixed feelings about her emotionally abusive husband. Marianne, wrestling with a rebellious teenage daughter. And Nora, the seasoned Army wife with perfect hair, an immaculate home—and an ill-tempered mother dying of cancer. Knowing the separation of deployment is extremely difficult, Nora gathers the wives every week to share lunches and burdens. In good company, they worry over safety in the field and stability at home and offer one another counsel and comfort. Together they must confront the painful realities of war that pull families apart and bring friends together as sisters.

The Evolution of Thomas Hall by Kieth Merrill. Thomas Hall is an artist with astonishing talent—and a vainglorious sense of self. Since his days as a child prodigy, he has reveled in recognition and believed in his inevitable destiny. He presumes his artistic brilliance deserves a lavish life of independence, fast cars, and drop-dead gorgeous women. But when "Cass," the woman from the Healing Place, walks into his life, nothing can ever be the same again. Thomas finds himself faced with a challenge he could never have imagined, suspended between the snarling beasts of his fanciful imagination that belie the existence of God and the undaunted faith of a little girls named Christina. What he discovers about the child's harrowing escape from death brings him face-to-face with the most frightening question of his life. Award-winning filmmaker Kieth Merrill writes a cinematic story of one man's journey in search of his soul filled with imagery that unspools like a movie in our minds.

Lucky Change by Susan Law Corpany. After a fluke lottery win, Karen Donaldson—the ward charity case—is determined to use her millions to pay back all the kindness she's received. But the future holds a few more surprises for Karen, her neighbors, and someone she thought was gone forever. Sweet, funny, and full of heart, this off-beat comedy is perfect for anyone who's ever dreamed of making it big.

Pieces of Paris by G.G. Vandagriff. Annalisse and Dennis seem to be living the American dream until Annalisse's secret past and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder threaten to destroy their family. This skillfully crafted novel explores the long-term effects of personal tragedy in haunting flashbacks of Annalisse's former life, flashbacks that are interwoven with a passionate romance and reveal a person entirely different from the woman Dennis thought he married. But as each revelation increases the emotional gulf between them, Dennis's investigation of a toxic waste incident ignites the wrath of a former political ally and an industrial firm that will go to any lengths to cover up a shocking crime.

The Rogue Shop by Michael Knudsen. Promising his aunt to avoid all Mormons, Chris Kerry came to Utah to get an education—and nothing else. But with the help of some friendly neighbors and eccentric coworkers, Chris uncovers a truth that stitches together his lost heritage in a way he never imagined. This hilarious, moving novel illuminates how we recognize truth even in the most trying of circumstances.

Free Men and Dreamers Vol. 4: Oh, Say Can You See? by L.C. Lewis. Though the capital smolders, the battered Constitution and the presidency have survived. But the British left the struggling government no home. Gone are the symbols of America—the Capitol Building, the President's House, and nearly every relic of the infant nation. Britain's next target is the port city of Baltimore, but has the raid on Washington stiffened the Americans' backs? As the Willows women mourn their absent men, they await the birth of a blessed child.

Miles away, attorney Francis Scott Key embarks on a diplomatic mission that will leave an everlasting mark on America. Proving that the pen can indeed be more powerful than the sword, Key records the fears and hopes of his embattled people. His epic poem soon set to music and titled "The Star-Spangled Banner," rallies a shattered nation to rise from its knees to claim the dream of "one nation under God" during the closing hours of the War of 1812.

Trespass by Sandra Grey; 2010 Whitney Award Winner. Lieutenant Viktor Rostov warned them not to cross him. If Hans Brenner had listened, Natalie Allred might not have disappeared—and Hans might not be lying mortally wounded, his life forfeit to the Soviet MGB. All Hans wanted was to marry his sweetheart in America. But that was before an agreement between Hans and U.S. intelligence went horribly wrong.

Lieutenant Rostov has no choice; with his daughter, Lucya, sentenced to a Siberian death camp, he must deliver Hans or risk losing Lucya forever. To preserve Lucya’s life, Hans must help the Soviets build a bomb, and Natalie must swear allegiance to the motherland and to Rostov himself. Escape seems impossible within the iron grip of the secret police. And when the MGB begins to suspect betrayal, Hans and Natalie’s survival will hinge on two people. One must trespass against the laws of a nation that gave him a second chance, and the other must make a heart-wrenching choice: trespass against his country or against his heart.

Cross My Heart by Julie Wright. Jillian is caught between three men and two cities. First is Geoffrey in Boston, Jillian’s hometown. She would have married this brilliant ad exec if he hadn’t stolen some of her best work (and gotten her promotion as a result). Second is Jack in Los Angeles, who signs Jillian up for a love study at a local university hoping to find out if she still loves Geoffrey—and splits as soon as her brain neurons fire an emphatic yes. As Jillian goes back to Boston to investigate the underhanded dealings of a competing agency, she meets guy number three, Nathan, the dentist who hates the advertising industry because his ex-girlfriend, Nicole, recently dumped him for some hotshot ad exec. When Nicole’s fiancé turns out to be Geoffrey, this love triangle becomes a full-blown love quadrangle with savvy players, snappy dialogue, and a plot that won’t stop twisting.

The Legend of Shannonderry by Carol Warburton. Gwyneth Beddows, a young woman of nineteenth-century England, has often felt lonely and unloved by her father, who believes the rumors that his pretty daughter might not actually be his child. Gwyneth finds consolation in the saddle of her spirited stallion, a promising racehorse who has drawn the attention of Irish horse master Cormac D’Arcy. The handsome young man also brings a life-changing message from Gwyneth’s grandmother—a frail yet feisty Irish woman Gwyneth has never met. Events orchestrated by her father force Gwyneth to flee England, and with the help of D’Arcy, she arrives at Shannonderry, her maternal family’s ancestral home, where Gwyneth learns of a legend that will have a profound impact on her life and the lives of those around her. Touched by the promise of destiny, Gwyneth seeks to save the family estate from certain ruin. But with fierce rivals on the scene and her embittered father in the periphery, Gwyneth must call on the strength of her heart if the historic legend of Shannonderry will ever be fulfilled.

Heart of a Hero by Marie Higgins. When Summer Bennett returns to Richfield after a five-year stint at her aunt's finishing school, she discovers a lot has changed. Her father has suffered a crippling injury, and Summer is desperate to get the money to pay for surgery that could allow him to walk again. When she hears of a reward offered for capturing a cunning gang of bank robbers, her years of etiquette training fall by the dusty roadside. But unexpected competition from her family’s longtime friend, Jesse Slade, is thwarting Summer’s plans. Wanting nothing more than to use Jesse's head for a slingshot target, soon Summer finds her aim shifting from his head to his heart. Engaged to Summer’s sister Violet, Jesse also feels a new irritation with Summer, the former burr under his saddle, now always on his mind. Summer's father expects him to marry Violet, and Jesse won't let him down. But why does Jesse find himself encouraging Summer's attentions, and why do sparks fly every time they are together?

Meg’s Melody by Kaylee Baldwin. It's only after her husband leaves that Meg finds out she's pregnant. Now facing the prospect of single parenthood, she'll have to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and a friendship she wasn’t expecting to see her through. This touching story combines romance with real conflicts to remind you it's never too late to find love—if you know where to look.

Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey. When Jordan MacDonald goes behind his mother's back to get his pilot's license, he soon finds out that a life full of dishonesty attracts more turbulence than he's ever faced in the air. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Hawaiian Islands, this heartwarming story of romance and self-discovery will take you to new heights with each turn of the page.

Cold as Ice by Stephanie Black; 2010 Whitney Award Winner. After five patient years, Abigail Wyatt’s sisterly care is finally paying off: her younger brother, Derek, is abandoning his self-destructive lifestyle and seeking his parents’ forgiveness, thus ending the painful estrangement that wounded the whole family. But just as the pieces are falling into place for the prodigal’s return, a woman named Karen Brodie is murdered in a local park—and police name Derek as the prime suspect. Rather than standing firm and cementing the positive changes in his life, Derek succumbs to his cynical fears and runs from the law, leaving Abigail with her hands tied. Literally.

Derek’s raw panic convinces everyone that he’s the killer—except Abigail. With the help of Kyle, a charismatic new friend she might be falling for, Abigail digs deep into Karen Brodie’s troubled past in hopes of clearing Derek’s name. But as she uncovers a sinister plot of greed, envy, and vengeance, this loyal sister must face the painful truth that things—and people—are not always as they seem.

Murder by Design by Besty Brannon Green. After cracking Foster Scoggins’s murder case, Kennedy Killingsworth figured life in Midway, Georgia, would settle back to normal (meaning desperately dull). But that thought vanishes when a black-clad man climbs in her bedroom window. Startled awake by a hand clamped across her mouth, Kennedy realizes the hand belongs to Sloan, the gorgeous and somewhat terrifying construction worker with a surprising alter ego. Since he once saved her life, Kennedy doesn’t protest as Sloan stows federally classified information in her not-quite antique Tiffany lamp. Complications rise even further when the sun comes up. Amidst gossip about her ex-husband shopping for engagement rings, Kennedy heads to the cemetery for Midway’s annual Decoration Day, when residents beautify the graves and then picnic among the dead. Transient artist Jarrard Dupree soon joins the dead when he’s accidentally run over by a bunch of college kids. Yet when JD’s terrible paintings suddenly begin drawing dazzling offers from New York art dealers, Kennedy knows at least one of her neighbors has blood on his hands. Intrigue builds in high Southern style as Kennedy’s investigation reveals which townsfolk are foes, which are friends—and which may become more than a friend.

Adult Speculative

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson; 2010 Whitney Award Winner. Brandon Sanderson’s newest series, The Stormlight Archive, opens with The Way of Kings. This novel introduces the three protagonists who will be our windows to the strange and wondrous world of Roshar and the drama about to unfold there:

Dalinar, the assassinated king’s brother and uncle of the new one, is a war-weary old soldier plagued by dreams of ancient times and legendary wars, visions that may force him into a new role he could never have imagined.
Kaladin, a highborn young man who has been brought low, indeed to the most miserable level of military slavery, and must suffer and struggle to survive and rise again.
Shallan, a naïve but brave young woman who will do anything to save her impoverished noble house from ruin.

Through all the volumes of The Stormlight Archive, Brandon Sanderson will make Roshar a realm we are eager to visit.

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles and no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to. Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated, and now Cranks—people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare—roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal. Far from finished with running, the Gladers must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them. Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card. Only his father knew that Rigg possessed the power to see deep down the paths of people's pasts. But only after his father’s death does Rigg discover that he has another special gift: the power to change the past. Unfortunately, with that knowledge, all certainty and safety began to melt away. This coming-of-age novel by renowned LDS author Orson Scott Card takes readers on a triple-speed journey through time.

Young Adult

The Healing Spell by Kimberly Griffiths Little; 2010 Whitney Award Winner. Twelve-year-old Livie is living with a secret and it's crushing her. She knows she is responsible for her mother's coma, but she can't tell anyone. It's up to her to find a way to wake her momma up. Stuck in the middle of three sisters, hiding a forbidden pet alligator, and afraid to disappoint her beloved daddy, Livie struggles to find her place within her own family as she learns about the powers of faith and redemption. Livie's powerful, emotional, and sometimes humorous story will stay with readers long after the last line is read. Set in the lush bayou of Louisiana, Kimberley Griffiths Little brings Livie's story to life with power and grace.

The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum. The final book in the riveting Hourglass Door trilogy begins when Abby steps through the black door, and she doesn’t dare look back. Though it means leaving Dante—wounded, bleeding, and possibly blind—she knows it is the only way to save her family and stop Zo from manipulating the river of time and throwing the future into chaos. In the end, Abby must face a final confrontation that will take her to the very origins of the hourglass door. If you haven’t yet, also check out books one and two in this great series, The Hourglass Door and The Golden Spiral.

The Limit by Kristen Landon. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. 13-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt's family over their limit—and to change his reality forever.

The Peasant Queen by Cheri Chesley. After running away from home, Krystal is transported to a faraway kingdom where an evil tyrant is bent on taking the crown—and Krystal's hand in marriage. But when she falls in love with the rightful heir to the throne, she must make an impossible choice: sacrifice her one chance at happiness or face the destruction of an entire kingdom.

Matched by Ally Condie. Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . except that Ky Markham's face also flashes for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and must choose between Xander and Ky—between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

16 Days of Summer Fun

Mon, 10 May 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Struggling to come up with a summer’s worth of activities? We’ll get you on your way in no time. If "I'm booorred" is an all-too-familiar phrase around your household during the summer, you'll probably want to jump start the fun this summer with the following activities. Here at LDS Living, we've pulled together some ideas to keep your children busy, many of which can be done without even leaving home. Try them and you may find that not only has the monotony ceased, but your family has created traditions your children will look forward to for years to come.

Day 1 Have a pajama day. Start the summer right by letting the kids relax. Make your first day a fun family activity. Make a favorite breakfast, watch cartoons, and enjoy a day of relaxation.

Day 2 Hold a family reading competition. Make summertime learning fun! Challenge each other to read a certain amount of books before the summer ends, either aloud and together or individually, and then reward yourselves with a fun trip or other family activity if you succeed. Make a simple chart to show progress.

Day 3 Host a car wash. Let your kids choose if they want to offer their services free to your neighborhood, or if they think they are professional enough to charge money. Let the kids save their earnings for a fun trip or activity.

Day 4 Play with bubbles. There are many ways to get fun and creative that go beyond buying bottles at the store. Let your kids make their own soap (dishwasher soap and water) and wands (pipe cleaners, coat hangers). Also, using powdered tempera paints, dish detergent, and liquid starch you can make colorful bubbles.

Day 5 Host an Olympics. Get together with other parents and create a Summer Olympics for all the kids on your block. The kids can help create different races and events; let them spend a few days "training" and then let the games begin!

Day 6 Hold a no-electricity day. At this point in the summer, you might think your kids' brains have already melted from TV rays. Pull the plugs on all your electronics and drag out the board games, have a picnic in your backyard, and spend some time together the old-fashioned way. Use candles at night instead of overhead lights.

Day 7 Make an "anything goes" lunch. For just one day, invite your family to have anything and everything they want for lunch. From Oreos and pancakes to potato chips and marshmallows, they'll think you're the coolest parent in the neighborhood!

Day 8 Grow butterflies. For $20, your kids can watch the life cycle of a butterfly in your own home. Go to insectlore.com to purchase a live butterfly garden.

Day 9 Live outside for a day. The fresh air does the mind good, and enjoying a cool summer breeze can be great when compared with a hot house. Go fly some kites during the day. When night comes, pull out the sleeping bags and get cozy. See if a friend has a portable fire pit you can use for roasting s'mores.

Day 10 Organize a block party. People often choose to move during the summer, so there's a good chance at least one new family will move into the neighborhood. Why not host a potluck block party and give everyone a chance to get to know one another better?

Day 11 Play Uno. No matter your age, you will always enjoy this family favorite. Start an Uno tournament that goes all week, complete with tournament bracket and elimination game. The kids will have fun playing with Mom and Dad, and even more fun beating them every now and then.

Day 12 Paint crazy. Tie up large canvases or old bed sheets, buy some nontoxic paint, and let the kids express their creativity with paintbrushes or their hands.

Day 13 Take a day trip. Find a new destination - that's only a half a tank of gas away! Tripadvisor.com/tankofgas lets you choose how much gas you want to use on your road trip (quarter, half, or full tank) and then gives you suggestions for places to travel to.

Day 14 Be chef for a day. Teach your kids to cook a meal. It can be as simple as a peanut butter sandwich for young children, or a casserole or roast for older children.

Day 15 Volunteer at an animal shelter. If your family doesn't have a pet and your kids are animal crazy, they would probably love to take some of the sweet shelter dogs for a walk. Contact your local animal shelter for more information.

Day 16 Play night games. It's summer; let your kids have one night to stay up really late. Play family night games and end the night with some hot chocolate.

For LDS Living's entire list of summer activities, check out our May/June 2010 issue. From Day 1 to Day 77 of summer vacation, we've got you covered!