"Middle grade mania" has arrived! This Spring, National Geographic Kids is debuting 3 new middle grade titles that will keep even the most reluctant of readers learning -- and laughing. From A (acid!) to Z (Zeus!), the following "must-haves" are perfect for boredom busting and fending off the dreaded "Summer Slide."
Weird But True Know It All: Rocks and Minerals (ages 8-12, paperback)
- Did you know that Montana’s Grasshopper Glacier is filled with millions of frozen locusts that got caught in a storm more than 300 million years ago?
- Or that Roman soldiers were said to get some of their pay in salt, and the word salary comes from "sal," the Roman word for salt?
In this latest single-subject Weird But True! book, readers will learn about everything from rocks in outer space to precious gems found in Earth's deepest oceans and everything in between, including rock-related careers, art, geography, history and consumer products (did you know the average car has 44 pounds of copper in it??).
Just Joking Science (ages 8-12, paperback)
A perfect read for science whizzes (and whiz wannabes), kid comedians, and laughter-lovers of all ages, Just Joking Science features 300 science-themed jokes that is scientifically proven to leave kids laughing:). Jokes about all kinds of science stuff―kooky chemistry, funny physics, dinosaurs, space, and more―is combined with fast STEM-centric facts and 10 stories of real-life scientific experiments that are almost too wild to believe. Sized for back packs and camp care packages, Just Joking Science is an ideal party-starter with friends and family or a quiet-time entertainer.
Zeus the Mighty: The Epic Escape from the Underworld by Crispin Boyer (ages 8-12, hardcover)
"Great characters, action, adventure, and lots of humor" - School Library Connection
"A treat for proto–Percy Jackson fans.” — Kirkus Reviews
Attention Greek mythology lovers! The highly anticipated next installment in the critically acclaimed fiction series Zeus the Mighty is here! Join Zeus the overconfident hamster, Athena the wise cat, Ares the treat-loving pug, Poseidon the proud pufferfish, Demeter the loyal grasshopper, and Hermes the daring chicken at the Mount Olympus Pet Center in Athens, GA on another laugh-out-loud adventure through Greek mythology. New to Zeus the Mighty? All the books in this series stand alone and do not to be read in any particular order.
About the book: The Olympians of Mount Olympus Pet Center have never faced a challenge quite like this. With Zeus the Mighty trapped in his palace by an all-seeing guard dog named Cerberus, it’s up to his gaggle of gods and goddesses to figure out how to rescue him. Once the Oracle speaks, the critters know they must venture deep into the belly of the vast Underworld to find the powerful relic that can free Zeus. But with so many new faces along the way, who can they trust? Will their quick thinking and teamwork be enough to save Zeus and themselves? After all, they found a way in, but can anyone really escape the Underworld? Check out the Zeus the Mighty website for videos, printables, games, fun Greek facts and episodes of the award winning podcast "Greeking Out."
My kids love nat geo. I think it is all the pictures that excite them most. They love the ones on animals and dinosaurs especially and I get tons of info from them on everything. So great they learn even in the summer slump
ReplyDeleteI always provided books to my children over the summer and we went to a lot of library programs. Now I purchase books for my nieces and nephews to read. I prefer non-fiction, but I do give them fiction also. I recommend any of the Dinosaur Nat'l Geo Kids books. twinkle at optonline dot net
ReplyDelete(1) To avoid the SUMMER SLUMP, do you provide your child (or child you have some influence) with books to occupy their time & stimulate their mind? NOT MY CHILD - GREAT NIECE. I GET HER BOOKS ALL THE TIME AND MOMMY READS THEM TO HER. SHE STARTED PRE-K LATE THIS YEAR AND SHE REALLY GREW FROM THAT. SHE IS STARTING TO UNDERSTAND HER BOOKS AND HAS FAVORITES
ReplyDelete(2) Which do you prefer for SUMMER SLUMP issues - fiction or non-fiction? ME I USUALLY GO FOR FICTION HAVE LOTS OF FAVORITE AUTHORS BUT I READ A VARIETY. AT LEAST 2 BOOKS OR MORE A WEEK
(3) Do you have a SPECIFIC Nat'l Geo Kids book you RECOMMEND? MY GREAT GREAT NEPHEW FELL IN LOVE WITH DINOSAURS WHEN HE WAS 3 YRS OLD. WHEN HE VISITED THAT YEARS FROM TN I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WANTED FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. DINOSAUR BOOKS AND NOT BABY BOOK REAL BOOKS....... SO I BOUGHT/AND BUY NEW ONES ALL THE TIME
I do provide my kids with tons of library books over the summer, and make a reading chart for them, too! One of mine tends to get more excited over nonfiction, so we make sure he’s stocked up on those. The others are little and love picture books so they tend to read (hear) fiction.
ReplyDeleteI don’t have specific Nat Geo books to recommend other than the Why and How books. My oldest loves those!
The children are surrounded with lots of books year round, and even more during the summer to avoid summer slump. We use both fiction and non-fiction books. Older children especially love the yearly National Geographic Kids Almanac.
ReplyDeleteNancy
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