Summer reading: What’s in our “stacks”?
By Lauren on May 24th, 2013
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, OOM readers! That’s right, this weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and for some of us, the official start of summer reading. As Meghan pointed out earlier this week, many of us have already gotten a jump on our summer reading lists by participating in the Scholastic Summer Challenge. I decided to check in with other minds to see how they were going to rack up their reading minutes this season.
As I mentioned last year, my goal for summer is to plow through thirteen books. My list is a fun mix. I’m currently in the middle of Reconstructing Amelia, which is similar to last year’s twist-and-turn thriller Gone Girl. I’m loving Mindy Kaling’s show The Mindy Project which is all the more reason for me to check out her hilarious book Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me. Also on my list, The Emperor of Ocean park, Paul Rudnick’s laugh-out-loud YA debut Gorgeous, The Inheritance of Loss, N0S4A2, The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Beautiful Ruins, and Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Alex: Sadly, I have not completed the Harry Potter Series. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed books 1-5, I have been side tracked with our Scholastic Reading Club (The Summer Price and Gorgeous) among other reads. So my plan this summer is to complete HP books 6 and 7! Also on my list are The Scorpio Races and The Dead and Buried, both recommended by Meaghan Connaire.
Jessica is very excited to sit down with some great YA books.
Megan: I’m going to start with Gorgeous this weekend-everyone has been raving about it. Others include A New Earth, The Children’s Book (I’ve never read anything by A.S.Byatt) and West 10th, which is NYU’s creative writing publication.
Morgan: I’m really going to re-read all the Harry Potters this summer…and I’m in the middle of the Gallagher Girls series, which I love. And I’ll re-read The Hunger Games trilogy before the fall movie. Plus, I have lots of adult books I’m excited about on my ereader.
Like Jess, Nadia is also getting her hands a fun mix of YA and middle grade titles.
Suzanne‘s books stack isn’t pictured, but you should still be sure to check out the great titles she plans on reading: I’m planning to read The Receptionist, Janet Groth’s account of her years at The New Yorker magazine; The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano, which was edited by my friend and colleague Andrea Pinkney; The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes; and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Oh, and also The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz.
How are you earning your summer reading minutes? Let us know what’s in your “stack” in the comments!
In Our Feeds: excerpt of The Dream Thieves, 20 most beautiful libraries on film and tv, sleepy american students, Harry Potter sold at auction
By Jessica on May 24th, 2013

Every Friday, we share a handful of links that we found funny, provocative or just plain cool. We call it In Our Feeds. Have a good weekend! I wanted to start with one of the coolest lists I’ve seen in a while. Flavorwire put together amore… full post
130th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge
By Alex on May 24th, 2013

Today marks the 130th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge! As many of you know, Scholastic Headquarters is located in downtown Manhattan so many of my colleagues bike and drive over the Brooklyn Bridge everyday. To celebrate this magnificentmore… full post
Freddy says . . .
By Suzanne on May 23rd, 2013

Few people know more about kids and reading than Freddy Hiebert. The California-based literacy expert and head of TextProject has devoted her life to helping beginning and struggling readers attain high levels of literacy. Hiebert also providesmore… full post
Scholastic Parent & Child: May Highlights!
By Kristen on May 23rd, 2013

Our parenting magazine, Scholastic Parent & Child, is packed with great info that helps parents navigate every aspect of raising happy, healthy kids! I thought I’d share a few of my favorite articles from this month’s issue with you! Themore… full post
Happy anniversary, New York Public Library!
By Jessica on May 23rd, 2013

Raise your hand if your first memory of the New York Public Library was a scene from “Ghostbusters.” (Please tell me it’s not just me!) If a ghost going through the stacks isn’t your first thought, then I am willing to bet the majestic lionsmore… full post
Is media multitasking melting our brains?
By Tyler on May 22nd, 2013

Kids today are master multitaskers. You’ve probably heard about this phenomenon or observed it in your students or the children in your life (or with yourself!). The Kaiser Family Foundation uses the term “media multitasking” to describe childrenmore… full post
Sarah Jessica Parker and Zac Posen will help celebrate the 90th annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards!
By Lia on May 22nd, 2013

Students will celebrate their accomplishments at Carnegie Hall on May 31! 2013 marks the 90th anniversary of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the country’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program formore… full post
An OOM commencement address from Andrew Jenks
By Lauren on May 22nd, 2013

This week we’re posting about graduation to celebrate the many students who will complete this rite of passage over the coming month. Yesterday we looked at what role graduations play in our growth. Today we have a special guest post—an honorarymore… full post
5 Books for a Red, White and Blue weekend
By Michael on May 22nd, 2013

This weekend, across the United States, we’ll be stepping out to parades, making our first beach trips of the season and barbecuing with family, friends and neighbors. I will be out at our local parade on Monday with my kids watching the localmore… full post









