Back to School

It's that time of year where, as parents, we are happy summer is winding down and soon our little ones will be soon going back to school. Yay! One of the things that I loved last year was the school wide a book a day reading log. My kiddo starts 2nd grade and as a book junkie I am very happy that my kiddo is as well. I am hoping they do it again this year because towards the end we tried to pick different books. Sadly, there are some kids who don't like to read; or say they don't and the reading log didn't go as planned.In talking with other parents here are some of the tried and true methods that seem to work to help their kids become a reader. 

• Show them how much you like to read-even if you really don't.  Did you know that according to Pew Research (2014) that 23% of people had not read a book in the last year? I believe we have to lead by example. If you want your kid(s) to read then simply show them that you do. After all, intimation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? 
• Read with them. We try to put aside a good 20 minutes each night for reading at night together. Now that he is older we take turns reading the pages or chapters (if short). He doesn't feel like it's an assignment and he gets to hear all the funny voices I make. It doesn't have to be books. We read magazines and the comics while in the checkout line. 
• Take them to story time at the library or bookstore. This is a good way to get your kid interested in new things or types of books. This is how we got into Captain Underpants series. These events are almost always free and you can do a bit of browsing on your own. 
• Find book that relate to what they like. I have a 100% science kid on my hands and he has so many dinosaur or space books that rival some bookstores. He likes books about dinosaurs or with dinosaurs as the main character. As long as he is reading and learning I am willing to buy it. 
• Try an audio book for follow along. As much as I dislike audio books, I think that it can be great for getting people interested in reading. In my kiddos Pre-K class the did these audio books and it helped to build each child's vocabulary. 

Book Review: The Argent Star

The Argent Star by Emerson Fray 

Brief Overview:

(Science Fiction & YA)

 Ren Argent is aspiring archaeologist and lover of history. Ren lives desolate and manufactured Earth. Everything is engineered including water and the climate by the Monarchy. Ren's brother, Elian Argent, believes he has found a undiscovered planet. Unbeknownst to them the Monarchy is aware of the planet and found an ancient Star Naming document that their ancestor purchased. They find themselves the new "royals" on this far away planet. Ren must try to make sense of a new world and new responsibilities. However, the planet itself is already in the middle of a political battle and the new royals are only complicating matters. 

My Rating:

I give it a solid 3 stars. I like that Ren is trying to do what she feels is right even it goes against everything that she was raised knowing. I do wish that they would have described the planet a bit more so that we could get a sense of how it looked and felt there. There were a few twists and turns and a set up for the next book. It is well written but you know who the villains are at the beginning of the book.  I believe that there will be more in the next book and that this is the setup to a larger story arc. 

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Saving Money on Books

There are few things better than buying a new book. Being a book junkie can reek havoc on your wallet so here are a few tips to save some money:

• Check your local library - Our main public library, and a few local branches, sell books that have have been removed from circulation. In many cases it is hardbacks but they are reasonably priced at $1.00 each. They also tend to have a great selection of children's books. In addition your local library may also have free e-books to download to your tablet. 
• Local Resale Shops- I asked my local librarian if she knew of any used/resale bookstores in town and she was able to point me in the right direction. I love resale book stores because they are fellow book lovers and prices tend to be cheaper even on new releases. There are even a few national chains like Half Price Books. 
• Goodwill/Salvation Army- I have found many good books that were less than $0.50 each. Since selection changes all the time I tend to go twice a month. The other good thing is they have a wide variety of books.
• Garage/Rummage Sales- I have found great books at garage sales and they are can be flexible when it comes to the price. Our local school district offers a book and media sale once a year. Last year they sold bags for $10.00 and you could fill it to the brim. 
• Find a book swapping club- There are Facebook groups and MeetUps that you can join to swap books with fellow readers. It gives you something new to read with out spending any money. If you can't find one then start one of your own. A few years ago we had one in our office with a simple note that said if you take one then leave one in its place. 
• Borrow from a friend- This one is often overlooked and saves you the most. Suggest trading your favorite books with your friends. It allows you to read a new book but you also get a better sense of what your friends like.