(cont. from page 1)

Fifth & Sixth Grade
Wait Till Helen Comes, A Ghost Story , by Mary Downing Hahn. Molly and Michael dislike their spooky new stepsister Heather but realize that they must try to save her when she seems ready to follow a ghost child to her doom.

Seventh & Eighth Grade
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, 101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning , by Jack Canfield (ed.), Mark Victor Hansen (ed.), Kimberly Kirberger (ed.).   This carefully formulated collection of stories guides teenagers through one of the most difficult periods in life, offering invaluable advice on the nature of friendship and love, the importance of belief in the future, the value of respect for oneself and others, and more -- all delivered with compassion and humor.

Grades 9 through 12
I am the Messenger, by   Marcus Zusak.   Ed Kennedy hasn't done much since high school.   He drives a cab, plays cards with his buddies, and hopes that his best friend Audrey will finally fall in love with him.   But soon after inadvertently stopping a bank robbery, he receives a playing card in the mail with three addresses written on it.   What do the addresses mean? Who sent them?   And why was Ed chosen?(From the Vermont-NEA Summer Reading for Kids 2006 List)

All of the selections printed here are from Education World's® reading list, unless indicated otherwise.   Please visit www.educationworld .com for complete lists .

* * * *

Tips for a safe and healthy summer:

•  Wear sunscreen. Apply it in the morning and reapply often.   Use waterproof sunscreen when swimming or sweating.   There are several kid-friendly, "no tears" options available.

•  Use insect repellant. Aside from pesky mosquitoes, you want to avoid the dreaded deer tick, which carries Lyme disease.

•  Wear a helmet. When biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading. It may be uncomfortable, but so important.   Elbow and knee pads are good too.

•  Stay hydrated. On a hot summer day, eight 8-ounces glasses of water or juice--NOT soda-- should be the minimum .