 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Common Sense Media says
Summer reading program encourages reading (and sells books).
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this site has a very noble goal to inspire kids to read more over the summer, there is still a lot of commercial footnotes to this story. The site is run by Scholastic, which uses the program to promote its books and authors, and there are even convenient links to purchase titles. The program is partnered with SmartyCard to offer prize incentives to kids. SmartyCard is a pay site where parents purchase the rewards that are awarded to kids for playing education games on the site.
What's it about?
Even if school's out, Scholastic is on a mission to keep kids reading over vacation with the SCHOLASTIC SUMMER CHALLENGE. The site, part of Scholastic's tween department, The Stacks, allows users to track their reading progress and record the time they have spent each day hitting the books. Users are grouped into a handful of teams, who compete for bragging rights and together raise funds for Save the Children. The site is also attempting to set a world record for most reading hours logged by a single group.
Is it any good?
The most useful aspect of the Summer Challenge is that it provides a simple, effortless way for kids, and parents for that matter, to keep track of summer reading time. Although the community forums and literary games might capture the imagination of avid readers, they also distract from the actual purpose of the program, which is to read more. The commercial tie-ins are numerous, so it's good to be wary, but overall this site takes safety precautions and offers kids multiple incentives to make this summer a literary one.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about reading and what makes it enjoyable. Do you find it more interesting to read a book if your friends are reading it as well? Is reading a social activity? Will a Web site like this get your to read more over the summer months? Do you think Scholastic has an interest in getting kids to read more? Should kids be rewarded with prizes for reading books?
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
| Genre: | Educational |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already visited it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
