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Keep kids reading all summer

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By MICHELE SAGER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2009

Between the summer camps, car trips and swims in the pool, school leaders are hoping students will find time to read a few good books.

The Florida Department of Education recently released its annual summer reading list. This year's list places an emphasis on books about Florida ecology. Book selections include "Henry the Impatient Heron" and "The Everglades, River of Grass."

The DOE released its list in conjunction with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which launched its own Rediscover Florida campaign. The initiative offers residents 100 options to take advantage of Florida nature in 100 days.

State education leaders said research shows that students who read on school breaks maintain their academic progress.

Japera Hodges, a third-grade teacher at Witter Elementary's summer reading camp, said reading daily can make a big difference.

"It gives the students a chance to practice the reading strategies they learn through the year and help them retain that information for the next school year," she said.

A sampling of the Florida Department of Education's summer reading list:

"Ocean Hide and Seek," Jennifer Evans Kramer

"Sort it Out!" Barbara Mariconda

"Henry the Impatient Heron," Donna Love

"Where Should Turtle Be?" Susan Ring

"Little Skink's Tail," Janet Halfmann

Grades 4-5

"Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People," Sheila Keenan

"The Book Club Kit," Patti Kelley Criswell

"Crazy Cars," Matt Doeden

"Dare to Dream!" Carl Sommer

"Riddle-iculous Math," Joan Holub

Grades 6-8

"50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Recycle," Earthworks group

"John James Audubon: The Making of an American," Richard Rhodes

"Bees in America: How the Honey Bee Shaped a Nation," Tammy Horn

"The Life Cycle of Everyday Stuff," Mike Reeske and Shirley Watt Ireton

"Planet Earth," Kathleen Reilly

Grades 9-12

"The Real Question," Adrian Fogelin

"The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise," Michael Grunwald

"Solomon," Marilyn B. Shaw

"Losing It All to Sprawl," Bill Belleville

"The Yearling, "Marjorie K. Rawlings

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (727) 451-2344.

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