Hoot – PragmaticMom

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Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14)

Posted on September 8, 2011January 30, 2017 by pragmaticmom

Reading list for boys, grades 1-6. I love to find books that excite reluctant readers. The key is to find that magic intersection that marries your child’s just-right level with content that matches their interest and a layout that is visually appealing (small chunks of text broken by pictures, larger font size, etc.). Alas, this is a moving target. I have an actual person that I select these books for, my youngest son’s best friend’s older brother who is a 4th grader with my oldest. My mom friends have had success with these books for their reluctant boy readers and suggests you try them. If you want to purchase a book, click on the image of the book to buy at Amazon.com.

Turtle in Paradise, books set in Florida, books for kids set in Florida, Florida kids books, chapter books,

Top 10: Best Timeless Newbery-ish Chapter Books Set in Florida

Posted on August 11, 2011March 18, 2017 by Pragmatic Mom

There’s a glamour to Florida set back back in time that rivals Hollywood in California and maybe that is why these talented children’s book authors firmly set their books here. To be sure, some are from Florida and/or from the South and seem to know every nook and cranny of their small towns. But even more interesting are the characters they create; characters who have lived hard and stoic lives but never really told their stories to anyone, except now, in these books.

There must be something in the waters of Florida that makes almost all these books award winning, from Newbery to National Book Awards. And I feel strongly that the books on this list that don’t have a special sticker on the cover are all deserving of one!!

Top 10: Kids Books for Florida Beach Vacation (ages 2-18)

Posted on June 25, 2011March 19, 2017 by Pragmatic Mom

In short, we highly recommend North Captiva island as a family vacation. Rent a house or condo on the beach. There are slight complications as island vacations do tend to have such as getting there by water taxi and correctly estimating a week’s worth of groceries but it is well worth it. And if you do, take some of these books with you!

Top 10: Best Chapter Books for Summer Reading (Incoming Grades 3-5)

Posted on May 23, 2011October 22, 2012 by Pragmatic Mom

If your elementary school is like my elementary school, kids entering grades 3-5 need to read 5 or so books during the summer (and do a book project on one of the books). It’s not normally a struggle to get my kids to read 5 books during the summer except for the selection of the books because the summertime reading has to be especially engaging to compete for their time! These 10 books should do the trick. And if your child reads 5 books and fills out a form from Borders Bookstore, she or he can get one of ten selected books for free.

One Free Chapter Book For Kids at Borders (ages 6-12)

Posted on May 13, 2010May 21, 2015 by Pragmatic Mom

Borders Kids’ Summer Reading Program: read any 10 books and get one of their specially selected books for free. And their book selection is excellent! Nothing to buy, but you need to stop in twice. Once to get the form. Once to get the book. Love it!

Maniac Magee + My Side of the Mountain = Hoot by Hiaasen

Posted on March 23, 2010December 13, 2013 by Pragmatic Mom

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen won an insane amout of awards including A Newbery Honor Award and it’s not hard to see why once you read it. It’s a mystery and an adventure with multiple happy endings including the school bully getting what he deserves.