26 THE QUEENS COURIER • KIDS & EDUCATION • JULY 23, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
26 THE QUEENS COURIER • JULY 23, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM kids & education
Summer book reading for kids: Ages 3 to young adults
BY DONNA DUARTE-LADD
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Th is is a summer like no other, camps
are limited, and kids are either learning
remote or staying close to home. It may
be a “new normal,” but this doesn’t change
that reading a great book is an excellent
opportunity for kids to keep their minds
on the learning path.
We have curated a cool list of books that
take you to the moon, show you that you
matter to goats contending with a chupacabra,
Department of Education opens registration for remote-only learning option
BY ALEJANDRA
O’CONNELL-DOMENECH
adomenech@qns.com
@AODNewz
Parents who don’t feel comfortable sending their
children to physical classrooms this upcoming school
year now have the option to register their students for
remote-only classes. Th e same goes for teachers and
some school staff ers who face a higher risk of developing
complications aft er contracting the novel coronavirus
because of age or compromised immune system,
the Department of Education announced on
Wednesday, July 15.
Families who register for full-time remote learning
can fi ll out the same form to opt back into in-person
classes by Aug. 7. Aft er the August deadline, families
that chose full-time remote learning will only be able
to switch their child’s schedule to in-person instruction
during certain times during the school year.
Interested families can fi nd the registration form on
the DOE homepage or can call 311 to fi ll out the form
over the phone.
“We know that there are varying levels of comfort
around returning to buildings, and we will meet our
families where they are with the choice of blended and
remote learning for the upcoming school year,” said
DOE spokesperson Danielle Filson in an email. “All
students will receive a high-quality education fi ve days
a week, and we are reaching out to parents this week so
that they can select their preference and we can accommodate,
putting health and safety fi rst.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard
Carranza announced last week that the city is toying
with two “blended learning” models for the fall semester
in order to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Th e fi rst model would only allow 50 percent
of students and staff to return to school buildings for
classes two to three days a week. In the second model,
only 33 percent of the student body and school staff
would be allowed to return to school every other day
of the school week.
Th e DOE’s online registration form does give any
detail though on either blended model option.
Th e state will ultimately decide on how classes
will look this fall and Governor Andrew Cuomo has
until the fi rst week of August to decide if schools will
reopening at all this fall. Th e state also extended its own
deadline for issuing guidance on reopening until July
13. School districts still need to submit their reopening
plans to Albany for state approval by July 31.
Classes for full-time remote learning students should
follow the same pace as students in the blended learning
model with similar content to be taught at any
given day. Implementation of remote learning will vary
by school “within a set of clear guidelines and will be
designed to meet the needs of their school communities,”
according to a statement from DOE.
Live instruction will be required for digital classes,
the agency says. Attendance, curriculum, assessments
and grading policies will be “aligned to an overarching
citywide policy and subsequently apply evenly within a
school for all learners,” the statement adds.
and more!
Here are 11 books for summer reading
for kids 3 and up!
“Cool Cuts” written and illustrated by
Mechal Renee Roe – ages 3 to 7
A celebration of a boys’ natural Black
hair that shows eclectic and cool hairstyles.
Vibrant illustrations of swirly curls,
a fro-hawk, or mini twists — this book
celebrates hair with positive messages and
joy. $9.67, amazon.com
“You Matter” hardcover by Christian
Robinson – ages 4 to 8
A lovely summer read or a bedtime
story. While many have been through
some tough months, this sweet read is a
gentle but essential message accompanied
by beautiful illustrations that shows the
beauty of our world. $15.89 and up, simonandschuster.
com
“Love, Sophia on the Moon” – ages
4 to 8
An enduring read, especially now as we
have all been tested a bit in quarantine. A
book that shows the bond of a mother and
daughter. When Sophia decides to live on the
moon, she and her mom share their conversations
through letters that display the love
between family even when there is frustration
or anger involved. $12.99, amazon.com
“Th e Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra”
by Marc Tyler Nobleman, illustrated by
Ana Aranda – ages 5 to 8
Vivid illustrations and witty storytelling
make for a fun read for your child.
Th e goats have to contend with the chupacabra
(who love to eat goats!) with fun
wordplay. While this is not a scary monster
book, it will elicit more than a few
chuckles from your little one. $13.69,
amazon.com
“Unicorn Academy #8: Ariana and
Whisper” by Julie Sykes, illustrated by
Lucy Truman – ages 6 to 9
Th is cool chapter book series is where
girls at the Unicorn Academy have their
own unicorn! On Unicorn Island no
less. In the eighth series of this book,
Ariana adores her unicorn, Whisper, yet
they have diff erences. As all the animals
begin to leave the Verdant Forest, both
Ariana and Whisper work to bring the
animals home and learn that their bond is
unbreakable. $5.99, target.com
“Confessions of a Dork Lord” by Mike
Johnston, illustrated by Marta Altés
Wick is the son of Dark Lord and is set
to inherit the role of leader of the Grim
World. However, he is stuck in Remedial
Spell Casting and has challenges of other
dramas at school, and on top of this, the
bullies at school call him “Dork Lord.”
Follow Wick as he journals his plan to
defeat his enemies and become great,
all while being in Middle Ages School!
$12.59, target.com
“A Phoenix First Must Burn” by
Patrice Caldwell — ages 12 to 17
If your teenager loves short stories,
they’ll enjoy this anthology book of sixteen
fantastical stories, ranging from sci-fi
to fairytale, romance and folklore.
Centered on the Black experience,
each of these stories is the perfect summer
book for your teenager. Celebrated
authors Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie and
Patrice Caldwell are just three of the many
talented writers featured in this book.
$16.99, target.com
“Th e Kingdom of Back” by Marie Lu
— ages 12 to 17
New York Times bestselling author
Marie Lu authors a book that is diff erent
from her usual popular novels. A historical
fi ction story on the two Mozart siblings
Wolgang and Nannerl — yes, Mozart
had a sister! Th is story is about their
bond, an imaginary world, and the struggle
of Nannerl and the passion she has for
music. Th is book has many layers, but it
is the perfect book to read when in the
time of COVID-19 — a little escapism is a
good thing. $13.99, walmart.com
“Camp” by L.C Rosen — teenager to
young adult
A rom-com that focuses on a 16-yearold
Randy Kapplehoff and his experience
at the queer camp for teens, Camp
Outland. Determined for fellow camper
Hudson to fall for him, he grapples
on how much he is willing to change for
another person.
Th e book is a celebration of the gay culture
and touches on what so many teenagers
go through, which is the struggle with
identity and learning to embrace your
authentic self. $16.19, amazon.com
“Felix Ever Aft er” by Kacen Callender
— teenager to young adult
A beautifully written young adult book
that touches on teen angst with an added
layer. Felix, Black and transgender, grapples
with anger, fear and the feeling that
he is not worth being loved. Th is story
centers on what so many young people
deal with and learn from when growing
up. Friendship, heartbreak, as well as to
how support leads to self-discovery and
acceptance. Starts at $11, goodreads.com
“Th e New Girl Code” by Niki Smit,
illustrated by Josselin Bijl — teenager to
young adult
Th is book is all about empowering girls
to go for their dreams — especially those
that are interested in tech. Th is story is
about a 15-year-old girl named Charlie
who lives in Brooklyn and is a little uncertain
about herself but has an interest
in coding and an idea for an app, Th e
Fashionist. Before she knows it, this idea
catapults her into fame, both at school and
in the tech community, all while experiencing
everyday high school hurdles.
Th e New Girl Code is fi lled with inspiring
quotes from female role models
and comes with a sheet of colorful and
empowering laptop stickers that girls with
love!
Th is is a nonprofi t book with all proceeds
used to distribute the book free to
underprivileged girls who would not have
access otherwise. Under $12, thenewgirlcode.
com
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