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If you're a brand new teacher or have to change grade levels, you might be looking for a way to stock your class library without spending a ton of cash. Here are some of the best places where you can get free or really inexpensive books for kids:

On Saturday, June 3, the Red Mountain Branch of the Mesa Public Library hosted this year’s Local Childrens and Young Adult (YA) Author Fair. Books at the June fair targeted children, tweens, teens, and families. This annual fair, which traditionally takes place at the Main library branch, provides space for authors to connect with new readers and with one another.

Books can take readers to all kinds of wonderful places -- including the winner's circle!. Mesa residents can Read to Win with the Summer Reading Program at the Mesa Public Library. It’s easy to participate in the program. Just go to the Mesa Library events page to create an account and begin reading.

The Tulsa Library Summer Reading Program is back for the 2023 summer season. They offer programs where you can earn free tickets to Drillers baseball games, Tulsa state fair tickets and much more!

Understanding the difference between fact and opinion is a skill often taught in the first and second grades. It is usually part of reading instruction, but this is actually a very important life skill. Imagine being an adult and trying to get through life without it.

All ages are invited to join the Summer Reading Program at the Cuyahoga Falls Library. The program took off yesterday and all ages can sign up online on this page or in person at the library. The Cuyahoga Falls library is even giving out some really nice cloth registration bags to those who sign up first, so don't delay. One bag per family. You can visit the Children's Desk or Information Desk (on the upper level) to register or pick up a bag.

Sometimes, all it takes is one forgotten book to shed light on a long-lost tale, an enigmatic piece of our past. This was the case when a copy of Benson Lossing's iconic A History of the United States, published in 1881, found its way home to the St. Helena Public Library in Napa Valley. This literary prodigal was returned nearly a century late, after being checked out on a chilly February day in 1927.

Image of Book Returned 96 years late.Photo byPublic Use. A History of the United States, by the American historian Benson Lossing, is thought to have been published in 1881. It was checked out of the St. Helena Public Library in California sometime in early 1927.

**This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. The days are growing shorter, and as winter starts to penetrate most of the United States (you're lucky, Hawaii). There's no better time in the classroom than when students have just come inside from playing in the snow. Their cheeks, nose, and ears are red from the cold, and everyone settles on the carpet for some fun winter read-alouds.

**This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. A read-aloud is when someone reads a book or text out loud to an audience. This can be done in a classroom setting, at a library, or in a family setting.

UNESCO (2005) emphasizes the importance of literacy, stating that it is "a human right, a tool of personal empowerment, and a means for social and human development" (p. 14). This perspective underscores that literacy is an individual skill and a key factor in addressing societal inequities.

One of the things I love about the literary world and its publications is that everyone is constantly coming out with “best of” lists. The Goodreads blog does seasonal “most anticipated” posts of interesting up-and-coming titles. Lit Hub does an annual “best of” round-up by looking at all the top book review publications out there and then listing the books that got reviewed the most, counting down, with sources. Inspired by the two publications above, I wanted to create my own list.

Five ways to know that it's time. There is a certain joy in the freedom to quit a book. In stopping, you realize that your literary journey and reading intake are entirely in your control. You, yourself, are in charge of the media you take in. No report is due. An essay need not be written. A group need not require your commentary on the symbolism behind the character’s actions during the narrative rising action. The pressure is off.

Fort Worth, Texas - With a discerning eye, Melany Watson scrutinized her daughter's recent report card, sensing an incongruity that refused to be ignored. According to Metro Dallas News, her third-grade daughter had earned a place on the prestigious A-B honor roll, a remarkable achievement that would ordinarily kindle a sense of pride in any parent's heart. Yet, Watson had borne witness to her daughter's grueling struggle with reading at home, an observation that starkly contradicted her elevated academic standings.

My daughter and I whenever we head Cantons way like to end our adventure looking at books at Books a Million in North Canton. We like to get coffee and just float thru the magazines, my daughter loves anything to do with music especially Harry Styles. I love looking at Martial Arts magazines and then venturing over to the section where Tolkien and H P LoveCraft stuff is on display. The Coffee shops Theme is Alice in Wonderland, so the drinks are named accordingly. I got a Red Queen Iced White Mocha Coffee, which if it sounds really good, it is. I sipped on my drink slowly as I admired all of the LoveCraft stuff you can buy, paperweights, journals, Jewelry Boxes, etc. Who Knew?

Now, I tell ya! For 2 years I’ve watched this woman walk to the gym across the street, you could set your watch by her routine. 7:55am every morning with the exception of Sundays, she would appear and with a swift pace disappear through the front door of Reginald’s Gym. Every evening, at 4:22pm she would blast her way through his front door and slowly walk across the street to this bar.

Doug Berry was an Air Force System Specialist that dreamed of writing kid’s books. He served in Tucson, AZ, South Korea, Sumter, SC, and Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. After leaving service, he created a series called Jasper the Rabbit. Jasper is centered around a friendly rabbit that teaches children about life lessons, taking care of friends, and overall how to enjoy life.

Andy Cohen headlines this week’s new books with a memoir of his early years as a father. Actor Andrew McCarthy also releases a fatherhood memoir this week, and we get an exciting new thriller from up-and-coming author Candice Fox. Melissa Blair and Lori Foster also give us new novels to enjoy.