Free Books in the Summer for just Reading!

Free Books!

a post by Matt's Mom

Every year Half Price Books runs this great promotion to keep kids reading throughout the summer months. All you need to do is download the form here and have your kids read at least 15 minutes a day. Once they have completed the requirements for the week, bring it into your local Half Price Books and the kids will get a free $3.00 gift card!

Now $3.00 might not sound like alot, but all of the stores have a clearance section in the back with tons of books ranging from $.50 and up. Most short chapter books run around $3.99. Or use the $3.00 towards a more expensive book that they have always wanted. What a great way to bulk up your library this summer. You can only use one gift card per purchase, but you will be surprised how far $3.00 will take you!

I have to admit, my family found this promotion two summers ago, and my kids each got so many books, that they haven't even read them all yet. My daughter would find clearance book bundles of 3-4 books for just $1.00. If you don't need any more books in your house, remember your school teachers too. They are always looking for new kids books to add to their personal room libraries. Most of the time these teachers are using their own money to buy these books. How nice would it be to receive a arm full of books for them to add to their classrooms.

This promotion runs from June 1, 2010 - July 31st, 2010. So if your kids are busy readers they could get 8 $3.00 gift cards to use this summer. Now that's a good deal!

Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration

Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration by: Richard Keep

As reviewed by Matt

It is 26 pages, an easy read for kindergartners- 2nd graders (with some Spanish words)

Both boys and girls will like it.

It is a nice book with some Spanish words like que, hola, que bonito, buenas noches, gracias, and adios. It is a funny, colorful book. The last two pages explain the traditions behind the Mexican holiday for better understanding.

Ratings: (1-10):
Scariness: 0
Adventure: 0
Suspense: 0
Romance: 0
Violence: 0
Comedy: 5
Language: 5 (Spanish)

Adult Situations:0

Matt's overall rating for this book: 6

It is good for a children's book for the Day of the Dead

If you are interested in buying this book, you can find it here, or you can check it out at your local library. Look for it under E KEE probably in the large young children's book section.

Number the Stars: by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars: by Lois Lowry

as reviewed by: Matt



137 pages, a quick read for grades 3-6.

Both boys and girls would like this book.



This story is told by a girl named AnnieMarie Johanson. She was in Denmark trying to save her friend Ellen Rosen from the Nazi's. This tells the story of her bravery and her love for her best friend. The book takes place in the time period of 1943 - World War II. It has an interesting ending with true facts from our world's history.



Ratings: (1-10):
Scariness: 5
Adventure: 6
Suspense: 5
Romance:0
Violence: 2
Comedy:1
Language:0
Adult Situations:0

My overall rating for this book:

7 - a good book

If you are interested in this book, it can be found at your library under J FICTION LOW . You can also check out the authors web page here for more information about Number the Stars. You can purchase this book on Amazon here also.

The Lightning Thief by: Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief by:Rick Riordan

as reviewed by Matt

This is the first book in the Percy Jackson series.

It is 377 pages long at a medium reading level for grade 4-7.

Both boys and girls would like this book.

It is about a boy named Percy Jackson who goes on a quest to get Zeus' Lightening Bolt, the most powerful weapon on Earth. Along the way Percy gets blamed for taking the Lightening Bolt. He faces many challenges, like fighting Gods and going to the Underworld, to prove his innocence.

It is a very exciting book with a ton of action and frightening events throughout.

Ratings: (1-10):

Scariness: 4

Adventure: 8

Suspense: 5

Romance: 1

Violence: 7

Comedy: 5

Language: 2 (2 bad words)

Adult Situations: 4 (beer & poker references)

Matt's overall rating for this book:

9 - A really good book

If you would like to read this book yourself you can purchase it from here, or remember you can always check it out at your local library under YA FANTASY RIO. Ask your librarian if you need help finding it. You can also check our the authors web page here.