Studies show that kids who read “four or more” books over the summer are less likely to fall victim to the “Summer Slide,” the common loss of skills due to being out of school over the summer. Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!, the summer reading online destination at www.scholastic.com/buzz , offers kids and parents great book lists, fun and interactive “book-themed” activities, and a chance to donate books to charity. For every four books a child reads and logs online, Scholastic will donate a book to Room to Read, a growing nonprofit that establishes libraries and schools in underprivileged communities in the developing world. Through Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!, a donation of up to 50,000 books will help fill bookshelves around the world.

“Kids can help keep their learning skills strong by reading four or more books during the summer,” said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic. “Summer Reading BUZZ! gives kids a chance to have fun finding great books to read, while helping children around the world get good quality books that are so desperately needed.”

The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site launches on April 15th , and will be reading central for kids, parents, teachers and librarians all summer long. Kids sign up and automatically get placed into their Reading Hive based on their grade. Once in their hive, they can start their reading log and track their books for charity. This kid-inspired site will make reading interactive and engaging for kids through monthly themes by book genre, author Q & As, E-cards, and “buzz boards” where kids can connect and talk about their favorite (and even their not-so-favorite) books.

The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site offers parents and educators extensive age and grade-appropriate book lists in English and Spanish, expert advice on motivating kids to read, as well as downloadable bookmarks and reading certificates that will help engage and reward kids.

In addition to reading for a cause, all summer long, Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! is offering kids the chance to read books to make their dream of a family vacation to the Walt Disney WorldÒ Resort come true in the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! ‘Read & Dream’ Sweepstakes.

Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! For Kids at Scholastic.com/buzz <http://Scholastic.com/buzz> includes:
“Book Buzz” Wallpaper will let kids create and customize their own desktop computer
Reading Logs to track and rate favorite books
Downloadable “Flip For Reading” Game — an origami reading game that gets kids talking about reading in a fun, cool new way
BUZZ! Room for kids to connect about books
E-Cards and weekly polls based on favorite books
Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!’s ‘Read & Dream’ Sweepstakes
WordGirl’s “Word of the Week” based on the hit new show on PBS Kids GO!
Celebrity Book Picks featuring favorite teen idols in sports and entertainment

Filed under: Education