13 authors join forces to get kids reading this summer

Megan Kaesshaefer  //  May 4, 2015

13 authors join forces to get kids reading this summer

It's official: the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge has begun! As of today, kids can start logging the minutes they spend reading in exchange for virtual rewards, free downloadable book chapters, and most importantly, NEW, original summer stories by some of their favorite authors. 

The participating authors include: Blue Balliett, Patrik Henry Bass, Varian Johnson, Gordon Korman, Michael Northtrop, Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pearce, Roland Smith, R.L. Stine, Tui T. Sutherland, Lauren Tarshis, Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Jude Watson. Each short story begins with same opening sentence which is, “I glanced over my shoulder to make sure that no one had followed me into the shadowy library, then took a deep breath and opened the glowing book…”  Each original short story is fully illustrated and has an audio component, so kids of all ages and reading levels can listen and read along. 

There's something for everyone this summer, so join today

FOR KIDS:

  • Set a new 2015 reading world record: they'll need to beat the 304,749,681 minutes read in summer 2014.
  • Summer sweepstakes: kids can enter four sweepstakes this summer, each one featuring awesome prizes from Klutz!
  • A new Story Starter game & writing contest: Students can play a new “Innovation Machine” story starter game, which encourages kids to create a one-of-a-kind story, then enter it into The Innovation Machine Writing Contest! 

FOR PARENTS:

  • Free daily tips: parents can access a free daily article about summer learning 
  • 2015 summer book listCurated by Scholastic experts, this list features books for kids (Pre-K -Young Adult).
  • Weekly sweepstakes: Parents can enter to win a “Power Up & Read prize pack,” including a Scholastic tote bag, a copy of Reading Unbound by Jeffrey Wilhelm and Michael Smith, $10 gift certificate to Scholastic Store Online, Energizer® brand batteries, Scholastic books and more.

FOR EDUCATORS:

  • Grand prize for top schools: The top elementary school that logs the most minutes this summer will win a visit from bestselling author Michael Northrop and the top middle school that logs the most minutes will win a visit from bestselling author Varian Johnson.
  • Classroom library sweepstakes: Educators who pre-register their students before June 30th, 2015 will be entered to win a free classroom library of 50 books.
  • Free summer reading tools: Educators can track their students reading minutes on their Educator Dashboard, follow their school’s progress on a virtual map, send automated emails to parents and access bi-lingual resources and printables.