Results tagged “books” from Daily Link

If you want to keep your kids' minds sharp this summer, two bookstore chains might help.

In Barnes & Noble's program, kids in first through sixth grades complete a downloadable journal by reading and writing about eight books. Return the journal to a store and the child can select a free book from a grade-appropriate list.

Borders offers a similar program. Children 12 and under read 8 books, list them on a form, and then return the form to the store where they will get a coupon to buy some selected items for $4.99.

And, if you're not sure what your child should be reading, check out the state of California's reading list for Kindergarten through 12th graders. The list is sorted by reading level as based on the California English-Language Arts Standards Test.

With summer on the horizon, it's time to prepare that poolside or beach reading list.

Two Web sites that can give you some suggestions are Goodreads and This One Next.

Goodreads.com has a social networking feature. It lets you know what your friends are reading, have read or would like to read. It also alerts you to what are the most popular books — at least among members of Goodreads.

Currently, President Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream" is being read by 2,651 members, and it's No. 10 on the reading list.

But Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" is No. 2 on the reading list, and other books in the series are Nos. 4, Number6 and Number 7. "The Host," the first book of her newest series, is No. 11.

The site also includes videos of author interviews and a database of upcoming literary events. Enter your zip code and the type of event and the results pop up in a list and on a map.

Goodreads also maintains several user groups to discuss literature by genre, geography or common interest.

The name of This One Next says it all. Type in the title and author of book and ask for suggestions. However, just a cursory check of the site found that the less popular the title, the more likely it will return an error message.

The site also will recommend CDs and videos, although its choices can seem a little odd — "The Sound of Music" draws a recommendation of "The River Wild" with Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon.

Both sites will link you to Amazon, so you can order a book, CD, DVD or an electronic download if you have a Kindle.

Bartering for goods may be something of the past, but Commuto is trying to bring trading back, Web-style.

With this online bartering system, you can post a wish list of items you want and put up a list of all that stuff collecting dust in your garage or attic. You'll eventually get automatic notifications whenever someone else posts something from your wish list.

Membership is free, and unlike eBay, it doesn't cost anything to post listings. Transactions don't even need shipping costs.

Mostly books, video games and DVDs are up for trade, but you can also find couture clothing and accessories, furniture and kitchen gadgets. (An espresso machine was up for grabs as of Monday; if you're lucky, it'll still be there.)

Commuto is more local than you might think. The program is still in its early stages, but there are already users in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Rancho Palos Verdes and other cities.

Keep your kids' reading skills sharp this summer by helping them work their way through school-approved summer reading lists.

The Torrance library list includes books for all grade levels of Torrance Unified and specific lists for all four public high schools. It also has lists for some private schools including Bishop Montgomery and St. Catherine Labore.

According to The Beach Reporter, El Segundo High is trimming its summer reading list and choosing books that appeal more to the boys.

According to the report, the English department and the committee have opted to give students fewer choices, and are aiming for more students to be engaged and ready to discuss a common text the minute the bell rings in the 2008-09 school year. The committee explained to the board at the May 28 School Board meeting that their additions to the list were made with the intent of picking topics that would engage the male student, given that the male population is the least engaged with the current list of required reading.

El Segundo High's list

El Segundo Middle School's list

Other school lists from around the South Bay:
Manhattan Beach's lists

Redondo Beach's lists

Peninsula High School's list

Palos Verdes High's library lists

If your children are a little ahead or behind the class curve, you can find reading material specifically for their reading level if you know their STAR test scores. The California Department of Education has a reading list with levels based on the scores with detailed information of how to use the list.

And, if you're curious who pick's this stuff, here's an insider's look at how a summer reading list comes together.

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Summer reading for adults
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Looking for something to read on your summer vacation? These lists may help:

USA Today has a cool, interactive list of books being released this summer, including Andre Dubus III's latest, "The Garden of Last Days," which has gotten a lot of buzz. Here's the New York TImes review.

NPR's summer book recommendations

The New York Daily News compiled anti chick-lit list of beach reading for guys:

But not to worry - all you guys out there aren't expected to sit around listening to your iPods and twiddling your thumbs. Here's a dude-oriented list of beach reading broken down by category, with something for the sportsman, the mystery addict and the guy who's just thrilled not to be at the office.

Real Simple magazine asked 10 authors for their favorite summer reading picks in its June issue. The list is broken down into categories such as "books to savor all summer" and "one-day reads."
For example, Philippa Gregory recommends:

Dragonwyck, by Anya Seton (Chicago Review Press, $15, www.amazon.com).
"A gothic novel set in 1844 America. At times it's utterly ridiculous, but it is truly haunting. Think an American Jane Eyre at high speed. A great book to gulp down in a day."

If you're looking for a local recommendation, the Redondo Beach Library posts a list of light reading for beach days, but sadly, it was last updated in 2006. Still, it has some intriguing entries that may be of local interest, including Joy Nicholson's "The Tribes of Palos Verdes," which is described as a dark book about local surf culture.

Coming tomorrow: links to summer reading lists for kids.

As April is School Library Media Month, and Monday kicks off National Library Week, here are seven tips and events to help you share the week’s theme: “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.”

1) Actess Julie Andrews is honorary chair and patron of this year’s event. Public service videos by the “Sound of Music” songstress can help you climb every mountain that stands in your way.

2) Redondo Beach Main Library at 303 North Pacific Coast Hwy celebrates National Library Week all week with a series of events that includes Musical Monday at 10:30 a.m., a talk on the environment and global warning by Linda Groff of the Political Science and Economics Department, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Rudy’s Radical Magical Science Show at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

3) National Library Workers Day is honored every Tuesday of Library Week. It’s a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Drop in today and give your thanks to the hard-working, dedicated staff at your local library.

4) North Torrance branch library at 3604 West Artesia Boulevard Wednesday hosts guide dog puppies being raised to become Guide Dogs. You can also find out how your family can be volunteer “puppy raisers,” too, at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

2) Henderson Branch of the City of Torrance Libraries at 4805 Emerald St will celebrate National Library Week Thursday at 4 p.m. with the Library Fairy, who will perform stories from rich, diverse cultures and corners of the world. The children will get a chance to perform in the Story Theater with crazy and fun costumes.

6) Join the campaign for your local library at the National Library Association.

7) First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

RELATED POST:
South Bay book groups

Torrance Library's book group schedules

Barnes & Noble book group schedule

Find book groups by theme or location with BookClub Meetup.

If discussing books in a group is too much face time for you, try a virtual version with these links at BookSpot.