Scholastic Online Poll, 'Kids' Pick For 2007,' Kicks Off 8th Annual Global
Read-a-thon on Friday, December 8, 2006
NEW YORK, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- What do Harry Potter, a
clever pigeon, dragon riders and "some pig" have in common? More than 2,800
young readers voted for these books as must-reads for 2007, in the
Scholastic online poll "Kids' Pick For 2007." Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up
Late! by Mo Willems, Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, and Eragon by Christopher Paolini were
all winners picked by kids, for kids.
The Kids' Pick helps kick off Read For 2007: Read For Life, the eighth
annual worldwide read-a-thon to get kids excited about reading, created by
Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company,
together with Reading Is Fundamental, the oldest and largest children's
literacy organization in the country. On Friday, December 8, 2006, millions
of children will join together to read for 2,007 seconds (approximately
33-1/2 minutes) and to commit to reading throughout the new year.
Governors' spouses across the country, as well as teachers and librarians
around the world will hold reading events celebrating the joy of reading on
this day and every day.
The top three books in each age category are:
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
1. Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late! by Mo Willems
2. Mommy? by Maurice Sendak
3. Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes
2nd - 3rd Grade
1. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
2. Junie B. Jones: Aloha Ha-Ha by Barbara Park
3. Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty
People by Dav Pilkey
4th - 6th Grade
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
2. High School Musical Junior Novel by N.B. Grace
3. Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo
6th Grade and Up
1. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
2. Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
3. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
"Read For 2007: Read For Life is a chance for kids -- and adults -- to
read just for the pure pleasure of it," said Francie Alexander, Chief
Academic Officer at Scholastic. "When you let kids pick the books they want
to read, you get engaged, entertained kids who don't want to stop reading!"
The "Kids' Pick For 2007" online poll is not based on a scientifically
designed sample of the student population. The poll was designed as an
educational activity to encourage student thought, and to give students an
opportunity to express their opinions. The respondents are self-selected,
based on teachers who want their classes to participate and students who
want to participate individually.
About the "Scholastic Read For" Program
In 1999, Scholastic launched the " Read For" campaign to commemorate
the millennium and to unite children in a global celebration of reading.
"Read For" was quickly embraced by schools around the world and continues
to bring reading and the joy of learning into homes and classrooms. Since
its inception, the initiative has grown to unite millions of children,
parents, and teachers in each of the 50 U.S. states and throughout 37
countries, connecting children across cultures and continents from Iowa to
India. Each year in the U.S., Scholastic enlists the help of Gubernatorial
First Spouses to serve as Ambassadors of Reading, leading statewide
celebrations of reading in their communities. Visit
http://www.scholastic.com/readfor2007 to learn more.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (Nasdaq: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher
and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.
Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and
products for use in school and at home, including children's books,
magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television
programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products
and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary
school-based book clubs, school- based book fairs, and school-based and
direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and
television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
http://www.scholastic.com.
About Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children
to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make
reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority
is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community
volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million
children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.
For more information and to access reading resources, visit RIF's website
at http://www.rif.org.
SOURCE Scholastic
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Related links:
http://www.scholastic.com
http://www.scholastic.com/readfor2007 http://www.rif.org
CONTACT:
Sara Sinek, +1-212-343-6899,
ssinek@scholastic.com; or Jennifer Boggs, +1-212-343-6619,
jboggs@scholastic.com
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