June 2006

Dear ANS Family,

Your child can read in the wildest places! They can read on an airplane, on a ship, or in a car. They can read at the beach or in a tent. Whether it's a novel on Nantucket or poetry in Pittsburgh, they can enjoy a book almost any time and in nearly any place. Show us where your child read this summer. Take a picture of him or her reading someplace - anyplace! Send the photograph in to school by September 6 and it will be included in our "Reader's Hall of Fame" where we will see all the places children can find to do some summer reading. Don't look at summer reading as just a boredom buster. It is a valuable tool for academic success. According to an article entitled "Bridging the Summer Reading Gap" (Instructor Magazine, May/June 2006), "Studies suggest that children who read as few as six books over the summer maintain the level of reading skills they achieved during the preceding school year. Reading more books leads to even greater success. When children are provided with 10 to 20 self-selected children's books at the end of the regular school year, as many as 50 percent not only maintain their skills, but actually make reading gains." Talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Your interest will help to nurture their interest. Steadily increase the amount of time he or she spends on daily reading. Several book suggestions appropriate to your child's grade level are on the summer reading list on the back of this letter. There are books from many genres to suit a variety of interests. Most of the books are available in one or more of the Southern Maryland public libraries. If your child reads at least five books this summer, sign at the bottom of this letter and return it to school during our first week back so your child may receive a reward for his or her efforts.

Sincerely,

Traci Renner, ANS Librarian