Summer Reading Guide

Summer Reading Options!

Summer Library Hours Announced

We are thrilled to be hosting summer library hours almost every Thursday during our summer break! Join us, or check out some of the RRISD Pop Up Library events - they're sure to be spectacular. We also have some reading & social media challenges for you during our time apart- check out details below.

Library Summer Olympics Starts 6/28

Summer = Reading @ FNE!

RRISD Launches "Pop Up" Libraries This Summer

from the RRISD website:

“Reading is the most influential factor related to summer learning,” said Ami Uselman, RRISD director of library and media services. “Our goal is to get books in the hands of our students that need them most in an effort to prevent any loss of academic skills during the summer.”

Round Rock ISD staff, students and community members are invited to donate gently used books for the district’s Summer Pop-Up Library and Mobile Makerspace, which will travel across the district this summer as a “read and return” library.

All RRISD campuses will begin collecting gently used books starting April 11 as part of the Summer Pop-Up Library and Mobile Makerspace book drive.

The Summer Pop-Up Library and Mobile Makerspace will begin the first full week of June and run until August 1. The library will visit parks, public areas and apartment complexes in the east and west side of the district one day each week. A mobile makerspace will also travel throughout the district once weekly to bring hands-on creative activities to students.

“Reading is the most influential factor related to summer learning,” said Ami Uselman, RRISD director of library and media services. “Our goal is to get books in the hands of our students that need them most in an effort to prevent any loss of academic skills during the summer.”

2nd Annual Library Lock-In 7/29

We had 28 students join us for a 7 hour reading marathon on July 29th at the Forest North Library for our 2nd annual Library Lock-In!  We had a blast and kept our reading skills sharp.  I read One Word That Will Change Your Life (more on that later) and half of Zane and the Hurricane. It was so nice to have some dedicated time to sit and read.  The first book was assigned to the Forest North Leadership Committee by Principal Jacobs. It helps you to identify a one word goal for your school year (or calendar year, for you non-teacher types.)  It has helped many sports teams, religious organizations, schools, and businesses reach their goals without giving up!  Mrs. Young & I are working towards choosing our "one word" for our upcoming school year!  I also got to read half of Zane, which is a Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee for this upcoming year.  It is absolutely captivating, and it was nearly impossible to drag myself away to do my Lock In responsibilities.  What a harrowing story.  Zane is visiting his grandmother in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits, and he ends up home alone, trying to keep safe! He meets friends and foes as he tries to get to safety and higher ground.  I recommend both of these books!

Check out some of our reading at the Lock In! We had a blast!  Thanks to the Forest North PTA for donating door prizes and helping with arrival and dismissal, and thanks to staff members for volunteering time away from their summer break to help our kids have a great Lock In!

Don't Forget 7/29 Lock In!

Library Summer Hours & 2nd Annual Lock In!

As we begin to think about summer and all the wonderful progress students have made with reading this year, this information from Keylene Beers is a good reminder about summer reading:

What happens when kids don’t–or do–read over the summer?

1)   Kids who don’t read during summer vacation lose two to three months of reading achievement. (“The Effects of Summer Vacation on Achievement Test Scores”)

2)   Elementary students who read 10-15 books at home over the summer gain as much in reading achievement as students who attend summer school. (“Addressing Summer Reading Setback Among Economically Disadvantaged Elementary Students“)

3)   Middle school students who read only five to six books over the summer don’t suffer from that summer reading loss. (“Summer Reading and the Ethnic Achievement Gap“)

More information about the guidelines and what to do can be found on her blog.

Summer Reading Rocks at Spicewood Springs Library!

Remember I talked last week about getting a card for our local public library (the Spicewood Springs Branch of the Austin Public Library) and getting to read all summer long?.


Well, Soleil & Heather, who are Spicewood Springs librarians, came to visit us at Forest North today and tell us about the fun stuff they have going on this summer at their library!  They mentioned clowns, Lucas Miller, storytellers, puppet shows, and Super Smash Brothers Tournaments!  Check out more details below, and thanks again to Soleil & Heather for coming to tell us about their fun events!  Feel free to click on the images for larger print.  Happy Reading, Eagles!

Summer Reading!

Summer is almost here!  What will you read this summer?  Here are some tips to make sure you beat the dreaded summer slide!  Keep your reading mountain going higher and higher so you start next year at the same spot you left!

1.  Visit the Austin Public Library!  The Spicewood Branch is only a few miles from Forest North.  Get unlimited free checkouts with a library card.  Check out the amazing programs they're having this summer, too!  

2. Come visit Forest North during Summer Library Hours.  Our library will be open during the summer on these Tuesdays from 4:30-6:00 pm.  Come check out some books, play games with teachers, and see your friends!

• Tuesday, June 16th
• Tuesday, June 30th
• Tuesday, July 14th
• Tuesday, August 11th

3.  We'll also have our 2nd annual LIBRARY LOCK IN on Wednesday, July 29th, so save the date now!  More information on that to come!

4. Ways for librarians, teachers and parents to prevent summer slide!  Just a few ways listed in this article include turning on closed captioning on TV, cooking with a recipe, looking things up on the internet, having quiet time during each day to unplug from devices, read on the go, and limiting screen time.  It's all about increasing the number of words read, in any way!

5. Read something fun!  Find something that's interesting for you.  Here are some ideas:

• Next year's Texas Bluebonnet Award books for kids in 3rd-6th grades.
• Next year's Lone Star Reading List for middle school readers
• Adults should read too!  Check out this year's Lariat Reading List!
• Next year's 2x2 Reading List for readers 2 years - 2nd grade.
• The New York Times Best Seller List for middle grade fiction
• Horn Book Magazine's recommendations for newly independent readers ( entering1st-2nd)
• Horn Book Magazine's recommendations for intermediate readers (entering 4th-6th)
• Horn Book Magazine's recommendations for picture books (fiction & nonfiction)
• Most of all, read what YOU like.  Anything and everything counts as reading!
• Think you're too busy to read?  You're not!  Read on your way to your grandma's, while you wait at the doctor, while you're at your sister's swim practice.  Read in the edges and you'll always be in the middle of a book!

6. Make a list!  Remember we talked about this during our Thanksgiving Bookathon?  Always keep a list ready of books you want to read next so you're never stuck between books.  Good readers are never done with their "to be read" list.  Keep track of your list on goodreads or write it down!

7. Take a photo!  Make your title match your setting and save that snapshot for our annual Special Reading Spot Photo Contest!

Summer is for Reading!