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Are you looking for a giggle-filled bedtime story? A book about friendship and the summer Olympics? You’ll find that and so much more in our favorite books this month…

Teach kids to coding this summer with a fun story, learn about the history of jazz musicians in the 1950s or turn through the pages of a historical action book. Read on to find out more about of June favorites.

For Pre-K –K (Ages 3-6):

Good Night Owl – written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

This funny and charming read aloud makes a perfect, funny read for bedtime or anytime! Kids will enjoy searching for the mouse on every page and laughing as owl attempts to find the source of the squeak that’s keeping him awake. We love it!

For 1st and 2nd Grade (Ages 6-8):

The Quickest Kid in Clarksville – written by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Frank Morrison

In this lively picture book about friendship, competition, and perseverance, two girls take inspiration from the same hero – Olympic athlete Wilma Rudolph. This is a great book to read in the lead-up to the summer Olympics! Pair it with the nonfiction book Wilma Unlimited if you want to extend your students’ learning.

For 3rd & 4th grade (Ages 8-10):

Secret Coders – written and illustrated by Gene Luen Yang

Comics + coding = this awesome book. Kids will dive easily into the plot of this clever graphic novel, learning the basics of coding and programming along the way. It’s the first book in terrific new series from award-winning author Gene Luen Yang who was a long-time computer science teacher. He knows just how to teach a complex subject in a fun and accessible way.

For 5th and 6th Grade (Ages 10-12):

Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph – written by Roxane Orgill, illustrated by Francis Vallejo

Nonfiction and poetry merge in this fantastic new book that was just awarded the Boston Globe Horn Book Award! Gorgeous illustrations mingle with rich poems focused on a summer day in 1958, when more than 50 great Jazz musicians came together in Harlem for a photo that would become world-famous. Each poem reveals a bit about the musicians, their music, and a key era in our nation’s history.  Truly beautiful!

Grades 7 & up (Ages 13+):

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune – written by Pamela S. Turner, illustrated Gareth Hinds

Action, adventure, and fascinating facts fill the pages of this gripping nonfiction book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in history, war, or the ancient world. Pam Turner’s writing keeps the tone light and the plot racing. We couldn’t put it down!

The post Monthly Book List: Our Favorite Books this June appeared first on First Book Blog.

Looking for a great way to raise money for a great cause such as First Book?  Several bloggers will be raising money for First Book in the upcoming Blogathon, to take place on July 25th, 2009.  If you are unfamiliar with what a Blogathon is, it’s essentially like a marathon without the running part. Blogathon 2009 is a 24 hour event during which participants blog every half hour to raise money for the charity of their choice.

So what brought bloggers to support First Book? One of our blog supporters, Erica Watson, from the Quirky Charm blog, had a chance to tell us all about her love for books.  “Books played a huge roll in my childhood. They were cherished friends who gave me comfort, joy, and adventure. Reading is still dear to my heart, fiction to non-fiction and everything in between,” she says.

Through Erica’s love for books, she has a vast awareness for the need to put books in the hands of all children. “A good book can make all the difference on a tough day. Through books we can relate to people through time and space. Books can reassure us, they can guide us, they can give us inspiration. It breaks my heart that there are so many who don’t know this simple pleasure, especially children,” she mentions.

With your help, and the support of bloggers like Erica, First Book can provide even more books to the kids who need them most. If you would like to support Erica in her blogging efforts, please visit her at Quirky Charm.  To learn more about participating in Blogathon, please visit the official Blogathon 2009 site.