Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge started yesterday and runs through September 4th.  This free program, sponsored by Scholastic and Energizer, includes twelve stories by popular authors that kids can unlock.  There's even a read aloud function!

Blue Balliett, Patrik Henry Bass, Varian Johnson, Gordon Korman, Michael Northtrop, Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pierce, Roland Smith, R.L. Stine, Tui T. Sutherland, Lauren Tarshis, Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Jude Watson

Each story is fully illustrated by Moonsub Shin and starts with the same sentence:

“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…” 

In addition, the middle school with the most reading minutes will win a visit from Varian Johnson and the elementary school likewise will win a visit from Michael Northrup.

There's also a creative writing game available on the site.

Kids can start by reading "A Kick in the Teeth" by Wendy Wan-Long Shang.

Parents, meanwhile, can enter to win Power Up & Read prize packs every week.  There are also resources for librarians and teachers on the site.