School is out and you have at least 10 weeks to move to a new schedule --- or no schedule at all. I love summer for just this reason. There is time to explore, dream and think. May we suggest that you spend some of these next weeks reading books? We love the way you can travel with a book without leaving your own backyard.

Are you counting down the days till July 16th and the release of HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE? Our poll this month asks if you will be reading the new Harry Potter book. We look forward to hearing what you have to say. For our question this month, tell us what you are looking forward to reading this summer. Be sure to weigh in!

Our Question of the Month asks, what besides HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE are you planning to read this summer. Let us know!

Enjoy the rest of June and the summer months ahead. Vacation well. Pack some books for any trips you take --- even when you head downtown to go shopping.

Carol Fitzgerald for Kidsreads.com

In this interview Peter Abrahams, author of several critically acclaimed adult novels, talks about DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE, his first book for children. He explains why he thinks audiences can relate so well to his 13-year-old super sleuth protagonist, recalls the six "laws" that his mother taught him about writing, and offers readers a sneak preview of BEHIND THE CURTAIN, the second installment in the Echo Falls series.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: An Echo Falls Mystery
by Peter Abrahams
Not only does 13-year-old Ingrid Levin-Hill have her hands full with soccer (as a member of the A team), school (falling behind in math), her first boyfriend (the police chief's son), and playing the lead in a school play (Alice in Wonderland), she also is very much involved in a murder (her red soccer shoes were left at the scene of the crime)! Reviewed by Robert Oksner and excerpted.

RAVEN'S GATE: Book One of The Gatekeepers
by Anthony Horowitz
From the author of the bestselling Alex Rider novels comes THE GATEKEEPERS, a gripping new series that pits good against evil and past against present in a battle that will determine the course of future civilization. In RAVEN'S GATE, the first riveting book in the series, a troubled young boy finds himself at the heart of a strange and sinister plot hatched by the bizarre inhabitants of a remote English village. Will he uncover the truth in time to put an end to their evil plans and save himself as well? Reviewed by Joni Rendon and excerpted.

This interactive notebook for fantastical observations is a must-have for any young adventurer who would like to follow in the footsteps of Arthur Spiderwick and the Grace children. Spiderwick co-creators Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black talked to kids from all over the country about their own faerie encounters. Based on their findings, Tony and Holly have created this portable field guide. It contains basic information about the various creatures found in the first five books of the Spiderwick Chronicles. Each entry highlights short anecdotes from actual field studies about faeries, and blank pages are included so that readers can add their own field observations and drawings.

June's roundup of cool new books includes the first entry in Nancy Drew's Super Mystery series, as the famous sleuth continues celebrating her 75th anniversary, and the debut of THE RANGER'S APPRENTICE, a fantasy/adventure series that has been compared favorably to The Lord of the Rings and to Redwall. This month also marks the release of Madonna's fifth book for children, Wendelin Van Draanen's fourth Shredderman novel, and HOVER CAR RACER, an action-packed series of techno-thrillers by New York Times bestselling author Matthew Reilly. All eight installments of this series were available in 2004 on Reilly's website as a free e-book, which was featured on both Kidsreads.com and Teenreads.com.

The beloved Roald Dahl classic CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, originally published in 1964, has been made into a major motion picture and will be in theaters on July 15th. Johnny Depp stars as eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka, who launches a worldwide contest in which five lucky children will be taken on a tour of his chocolate factory. To celebrate the film's highly anticipated release, two exciting new editions of the novel are now available.

WHERE'S NANCY? Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Super Mystery#1 by Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew was right in the middle of an investigation when she suddenly vanished. Poof. Just like that. So now Bess, Ned, and George have the Case of the Missing Teen Detective on their hands. They've worked with Nancy before on lots of cases, but they never had to crack those cases by themselves. Unfortunately the stakes have never been as high as they are right now. Bess, Ned, and George must draw on all the lessons they've learned from Nancy in order to solve this most baffling mystery.

GERONIMO STILTON, Book 19: MY NAME IS STILTON, GERONIMO STILTON by Geronimo Stilton
Pinky Pick is only 14 years old, but she's one of the cleverest mice Geronimo has ever known. The story of how Pinky became assistant editor at The Rodent's Gazette is a long one, filled with adventure, laughs, and lots of embarrassing moments for Geronimo.

GERONIMO STILTON, Book 20: SURF'S UP, GERONIMO!
by Geronimo Stilton
There's nothing like a relaxing vacation on the beach, and Geronimo plans to spread out by the crystal-clear water with a good book. But instead of a beautiful seaside resort, he finds himself in a creepy hotel infested with fleas and cockroaches. Will Geronimo ever be able to relax and enjoy his vacation?

THE RUINS OF GORLAN: The Ranger's Apprentice, Book One by John Flanagan
In this first installment of a new fantasy/adventure series by Australian writer John Flanagan, a 15-year-old orphan has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom, and a major battle is brewing. Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood and excerpted.

THE HATCHLING: Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Book Seven
by Kathryn Lasky
Kludd, the evil leader of the Pure Ones, is dead. Nyra, his mate, is determined that her hatchling, Nyroc, will fulfill his father's destiny: the vicious oppression of all the owl kingdoms. But the young owl is beginning to have doubts about his place in the world. Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber.

THE MIDNIGHT DIARY OF ZOYA BLUME by Laura Shaine Cunningham
When her mother must leave home, promising to return in seven days, Zoya Blume begins a midnight diary. She fills the pages with her darkest, loneliest fears, which causes painful memories from her past to resurface. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dilman and excerpted.

ALEX AND THE AMAZING LEMONADE STAND by Liz and Jay Scott, with help from Alex Scott
Two days before her first birthday Alexandra "Alex" Scott was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. At the age of four, Alex came up with a plan to help raise money to research the disease and find a cure --- she would sell lemonade from a lemonade stand in her front yard. This picture book, written by Alex and her parents, Liz and Jay, is the inspirational true story of a little girl whose single act of kindness impacted the lives of so many people.

ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND by Running Press
Running Press has joined the fight for the cure with their own ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND book and kit. The book contains a number of tips on planning and organizing a lemonade sale, with plenty of ways to increase donations and make the most of any stand. The kit includes some extra special goodies --- stickers that read "I donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand," creative advertising posters, a lemon squeezer, flyers that you can photocopy and hand out, and much more!

DIARY OF A FAIRY GODMOTHER by Esme Raji Codell
Esme Raji Codell's third book for children is not a conventional fairy tale. Rather, it is the story of Hunky Dory, a witch in training who is conflicted about what she wants to do with her life. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

THE LIBERATION OF GABRIEL KING by K. L. Going
Frita Wilson decides that she needs to liberate her best friend, Gabriel King, from his fears, in this timeless and poignant story of friendship set in a small Georgia town during the summer of 1976. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

LESSONS by Bonnie Geisert
In this sequel to PRAIRIE SUMMER, Rachel tries to discover the reasons for her father's deep sadness while negotiating fifth-grade friend problems in 1950s South Dakota. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

PERMANENT ROSE by Hilary McKay
In this companion book to the award-winning SAFFY'S ANGEL and INDIGO'S STAR, readers once again are plunged into the life of the delightful, eccentric Casson family. Eight-year-old Rose stars in this funny, quick-moving story as she begins what surely is an impossible quest for a long-lost friendship. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

THE WHISPERING ROAD by Livi Michael
An unusual brother and sister are separated in the dark underworld of 19th-century England. Can they survive gang violence, extreme poverty, police brutality, disease, and the ravages of the insane asylum to find each other again? Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

GNAT STOKES AND THE FOGGY BOTTOM SWAMP QUEEN by Sally M. Keehn
Inspired by an old folk ballad, Sally M. Keehn's original, warm and intriguing story has a down-home, Appalachian flavor and a tough-talking, softhearted heroine you won't soon forget. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

A TOUR OF EVIL by Suzi Wizowaty
An orphan girl thinks she finally has found a home in an ancient cathedral --- but rather than a place of safety and asylum, the cathedral houses a terrifying danger. Is Alma brave enough to overcome it? Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

HATTIE ON HER WAY by Clara Gillow Clark
Hattie Belle Basket's entire world is turned upside down when her father forces her to leave their rough logging lifestyle and live with her snooty grandmother in the city for the sake of her education. Hattie is prepared for the snobbery she encounters --- but not the rumors of a family scandal. Can she use nothing but her wits to solve a hidden mystery? Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

June Poll:

Which of the following Harry Potter books have you read? If you have read all, just check "all of them" and not each individual title.

All of them
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Will you read HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE?

As soon as it comes out
Soon after it comes out
Eventually
I am not planning to read it
 
Will you go to a Harry Potter event at a local bookstore or library the night the book comes out?
 
Yes, definitely
I am thinking about it.
I am not interested in this.