Books Plus for Under 2 Books Plus for 2s & 3s Books Plus for 4 to 7 More Cool Stuff Non-Fiction for All Read To Me Search Home

What's New! Summer Reading 2008 Why Summer Reading? According to several well regarded studies, reading as a leisure activity is the BEST predictor of comprehension, vocabulary and reading speed. “Free Voluntary Reading” generates better reading comprehension, writing style, vocabulary, spelling and grammatical development than direct reading instruction. Children who do not read over the summer start school behind their peers who do read and this gap can persist throughout the year. Interestingly, the number of books read during the summer consistently relates to academic achievement. Children who read six books (or more – but six will do) over the summer actually gain in reading achievement and start school ahead of where they were when school ended, provided, of course, that the books read offer sufficient challenge in vocabulary and comprehension – i.e. reading books – no matter how many - below their reading level will not bring about the same result.