Free book for boys and reluctant readers
Flynn’s Log is free on the following devices
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Reading is important
Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him. –Maya Angelou
Most adults would agree that reading is important, but many kids detest reading. Video games, devices, and TV are preferred entertainment and escape. They provide instant gratification. Reading takes time. For some kids, reading isn’t engaging.
I had this same problem with my son, so I solved the problem.
The classic stories I remember enjoying as a kid don’t interest my son and his immediate attention span. If he doesn’t enjoy the story from page one, he will not read further.
So how did I get my son to read?
I showed him how much fun it is to get sucked into a story.
Your book is amazing I can’t stop reading it – Joseph Young via twitter
Contemporary and Classic titles alike don’t interest many kids. Don’t worry, the love of reading is learned. We need a starting point. We need that one book that is just as engaging on the first read as the fifth, just like a really great movie that kids want to see again and again. A positive association with reading will make kids want to read more.
A love of reading is cited as the number one indicator of future success. My son didn’t have the desire to read. He didn’t care about the books I chose to read to him, and was overwhelmed with the selection at the library. I want my son to succeed, so I had to do something. Since we struggled to find books he cared to read, I wrote one. An epic saga about the things he loves. I put it in a world he loves and addressed the issues he faces in his life.
I just love your books I’ve been reading them over and over again. -Carson via twitter
But it’s a video game book
Don’t worry; it’s not a book about video games, nor is it a game strategy book. Flynn’s Log is a hero’s journey that takes place inside the Minecraft world that today’s kids know and love. The protagonist, Flynn, naturally flows through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (builds shelter and tools, learns what to eat and discovers a digital friend) and faces questions about his destiny. He learns important life lessons about friendship, integrity, and trust. Flynn’s Log is good for kids without being boring.
Thank you so so much for the free ebook. My son loves Minecraft now with this book I can get him to read to me. – Jennifer Wilkins
Start your son or daughter on journey today, reading Flynn’s Log 1: Rescue Island. Free on available these devices and apps.
Flynn’s Log is free on the following devices
Choose your device
KindleiPad/iPod/iPhoneGoogle Play (Android Tablets)nookkoboRead Online
US$8.99 Paperback
Why is Flynn’s Log 1 Free?
My son loves reading — finally. If you have experience with a reluctant reader then I know your pain and I want to help. I’ve seen thousands of kids transform with this book. My readers, who don’t usually read books during the summer, couldn’t put Flynn’s Log 1 down.
Good book I thought I would never read a book on my summer but I feel I’m gonna finish it soon – Multigamer 47 via twitter
Let this book change your kid’s life too. You have nothing to lose and an avid reader to gain.
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
–Frederick Douglas
I am giving away Flynn’s Log 1 free because I want to give you a risk-free way to hook your reluctant reader.
Please and I mean PLEASE, WRITE MORE! I absolutely love it! They’re outstanding books.
-Devon123321 via twitter
What are Books for Boys?
I spend lots of time with teachers and parents. I hear parents ask, “How do I get my son to read? Do you have books for boys?”
I wrote the Flynn’s Log series for my son, and this book is interesting for boys. However, the series is a non-stop read for both boys and girls, especially those who are interested in Minecraft.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
—Dr. Seuss
What are you waiting for?
You have nothing to lose!
Flynn’s Log is free on the following devices
Choose your device
KindleiPad/iPod/iPhoneGoogle Play (Android Tablets)nookkoboRead Online
US$8.99 Paperback
News for Parents of Reluctant Readers
Get Reluctant Reader Book News from Stone Marshall
‘Wonder’: A good family read for teaching kids about acceptance and inclusion
Give others more kindness than is necessary.
That’s the take home from R.J. Palacio’s “Wonder,” an engaging read for kids fourth grade and older and adults too, making this novel ideal for families to read together.
Main character August Pullman was born with a combination of syndromes, including a type of mandibulofacial dysostosis, a genetic mutation that affects how his face formed. According to the story, there’s a one in four million chance any baby would be born with this condition, and August declines to describe his own face because “whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.”
The story covers his first year in public school, and he’s off to fifth grade at Beecher Prep, a New York middle school. He’s nervous and for good reason; he’s familiar with being called “freak,” “mutant,” “monster” and “orc.”
But on the first day a girl names Summer sits by him at lunch and finds out he’s funny, so she keeps coming back day after day. Jack, a boy the administrators asked to befriend August, does so out of obligation at first but eventually realizes August is more than a challenge to be met; he’s a boy, just like Jack. He’s funny and smart, and in spite of appearances he’s the friend Jack chooses in the end.
Not everyone is so kind, some by accident as they react involuntarily to seeing August’s face and some because they choose to be mean.
As far as readability goes, there couldn’t be a more leisurely novel to work through. The novel is just 310 pages long, but it can easily be read in a week’s worth of afternoons. Most chapters are two to five pages long, and the book is chunked into sections with different characters telling their own first-person account of the story.
That’s another endearing part of the story: Readers get to hear from several characters and become sympathetic to them. For instance, one section told by August’s sister Via examines the conflict between fiercely loving and defending her brother and desperately wanting more attention from her parents and less negative attention from others because of August. It’s an interesting perspective from a family member who’s life is impacted for good and bad by a loved one’s struggle.
Maybe the best way to read “Wonder” would be as a parent with your kids because the story has lots of anecdotes perfect for conversation starters. For instance, the antagonist, Julian, knows just what to say to get on the good side with teachers and other adults, but around peers he is arrogant and condescending, and with August he’s downright cruel. His character isn’t likeable and provides the ideal opportunity to talk about authenticity and what real popularity is.
In the end, most fellow students are rooting for August, even though they don’t want to be open about it — and it’s another chance to ask your kids what kind of friend they are: one who is unashamed to be inclusive and accepting of others, or one who cares more about the crowd than being kind.
Reading this book as a family or at the same time as one another can be a good way to open the discussion about how we treat people who are different than us — appearance wise and otherwise. Because as Palacio preaches, “Your deeds are your monuments,” and little can be as monumental in people’s lives as the genuine care of others.
Children’s reading: I, for one, am glad Tolkien is out
As a child, I was so desperate to read that I would painstakingly scan the ingredients list on the tomato ketchup bottle when mealtimes kept me from my books. Perhaps that’s why I’m so relaxed about mixing easily devoured trash with genuine masterpieces.
Yet even I was taken aback by last week’s furore over the annual What Kids Are Reading report, which seemed to indicate that children are now shunning classics such as J R R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy in favour of books by David Walliams or Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
To be honest, this is a debate that is as predictable as a fairy‑tale ending with the words “happily ever after”. Every generation thinks that standards are slipping – in my childhood it was Enid Blyton in the line of fire, for my sister it was the Sweet Valley High series, and today it’s The Hunger Games. All have been roundly condemned for stopping children reading good books.
And yet children keep reading. Shouldn’t we be celebrating that children’s books sales were up by 9 per cent last year – and that seven out of 10 of the best-selling books in 2014 were for children or young adults? Many of those books today have messages as sophisticated as those in classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird. I’ve been gripped by The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Wonder by R J Palacio or Keren David’s When I Was Joe trilogy.
Plus, let’s not blind ourselves to the fact that some “classics” don’t always deserve the title. I was delighted that Tolkien, the favourite author of nerds and fantasists, has finally slipped out of the “most popular” lists. What can account for the perpetual appeal of Middle Earth? I’m fully with Hugo Dyson, one of the “Inklings” – a literary circle of Oxford dons – who had to listen to Tolkien read out early drafts of The Lord of the Rings, until one day he could bear no more and shouted out: “Oh no! Not another —-ing elf!”
“I Love to Read Month” gets kids excited about books
The door into Jackie Ewasko’s second grade classroom at Gallaher Elementary should look familiar to anyone who’s checked out a DVD from a Redbox kiosk.
On a red background, the “Readbox” has pictures drawn by her students to illustrate a book they read. Next to each is a QR code which, when scanned with a smartphone or similar device, brings up a review the student wrote and links to websites and YouTube videos about the book.
The Readbox is the class’s entry in a door-decorating contest the school had as part of I Love to Read Month, a campaign to get students excited about reading.
“In my room, I really push how reading should be fun and enjoyable. I want them to explore all kinds of different books,” Ewasko said. “We talked about decorating our book for just one story, but everybody had different ideas. So we came up with something that said, hey, there’s a book for everybody!”
The door-decorating contest is only one of several events that have happened at Gallaher over the past few weeks. The school worked with Heifer International, a charity organization that provides animals to poverty and famine-stricken countries, and it’s “Read to Feed” program.
Students got “sponsors,” who pledged small amounts of money if kids read a certain amount. Students were able to pick certain animals out of a catalog and attempt to raise enough money to purchase one for a needy family.
The school invited two children’s authors, Jill Perry and Lynne Silber, to the school to talk with students about the books they wrote and read to them.
“We really wanted them to read, to write, to draw, to think and know that they can do it,” said school librarian Molly Keohane. “You don’t have to be somebody extraordinary to be successful.”
Delaware has been making a push over the past year or so to boost literacy for students, focusing especially on making sure students are reading at grade-level by the third grade.
If students aren’t reading as well as they should by that time, they will often have a much more difficult time understand class assignments and are more likely to get frustrated. In the short term, that leads to low grades and even behavioral problems, but in the long term it can mean dropping out of school.
Keohane said one of the best ways to do that is to continuously read to kids or, once they are able, have them read themselves and discuss what they learned.
“Children learn by communication. You have to talk to them,” she said. “They have to hear the language, hear the flow of words.”
And Ewasko said it’s important to let kids read for pleasure as well as school.
“If you only have them reading these texts for assignments, it sucks the joy out of it,” she said. “I want my students to have a love for learning and a love for reading, no matter kind it is.”
Kiwanis speakers help stock children’s section at public library
The Spring Valley Public Library now has “Ten Shiny Snowflakes” and “The Creature in My Closet,” thanks to the people whose contributions are “suitable for hanging.”
The new additions to the library are tied to the programs and speakers at meetings of the Spring Valley Kiwanis, which has a mission of serving the children of the world.
“At the end of our Kiwanis meeting, the speaker of the day is asked to choose a book from the stage, where we have several books laid out,” explained Spring Valley Kiwanis Club member Nancy Cornell. The book is then donated in the speaker’s name to the Spring Valley Public Library.
The club holds a meeting each Wednesday noon at the Spring Valley Community Center, and often, there’s a guest speaker, be it someone who’s been on a mission trip to another country as a result of a sponsorship through the community or representatives of other organizations, outlining what they do and why or how they might work with the Kiwanis to make the world a better place. At the end of each presentation, the speaker receives a framed certificate from the Kiwanis as a token of appreciation – and the Kiwanians, having graduated from giving unframed certificates to framed ones, declare that the certificate is “suitable for hanging” and invite the speaker to choose from the stack of books on the stage after the meeting.
Cornell stated that her husband, Denis, also a Kiwanis member, then keeps track of the book until it is donated to the library.
“After the book is selected, Denny puts a label inside the front cover,” said Nancy. “The label says ‘Kiwanis Club of Spring Valley’ and ‘donated in appreciation of the program presentation by’ whoever happened to be presenting that day. We usually wait until we have 20 or so books and then either present to the librarian at a Kiwanis meeting or just take them to the library.”
Spring Valley Public Library director Jenny Simon was the program presenter of the day this past Wednesday, Feb. 18, and like others, she received a “suitable for hanging” certificate, but was also privileged to take a diverse stack of children’s books back to the library, including “Ten Shiny Snowflakes,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Middle School Get Me Out of Here,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck,” “Kate the Great,” “The Creature in My Closet,” “Snowmen at Night, Disney’s “Frozen,” and “You Will Be My Friend,” among others.
As she accepted the books, she commented, “What a gift this is. I’m very excited to take these to the library. The kids always know when we get new books because they’re put on the top of the shelves and have a ‘new’ label on them. When the kids come with their parents, the new books are immediately gone, and we have to wait for them to come back in again so that everybody can read them. They definitely appreciate the new books.”
During her program at Kiwanis, she gave an update on the upcoming events at the library – including the children’s summer reading program, with a “Every Hero Has a Story” theme this year, and a trunk show featuring the book “Moo,” appearances by the author and illustrator and activities to accompany the event.
She also thanked the Kiwanis for their contributions to children’s literacy, reiterating that she is “very excited” to be able to offer new stories for the area’s eager small readers.
YouTube Kids launches on Android and iOS
As expected, YouTube today launched YouTube Kids for Android and iOS, described as a “family-friendly destination” and “the first Google product built from the ground up with little ones in mind.” You can download the new app for free, available only in the U.S., directly from Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
The app’s main selling point is that it only has content deemed appropriate for kids. In other words, the pitch to parents is very simple: This app will ensure that your kids can watch videos posted online without stumbling on clips you wouldn’t want them to see.
YouTube Kids Screenshot
The Google-owned company explains the app is designed to make it safer and easier for children to find videos on topics they want to explore. It is also a much more simplified and basic app (larger images, bold icons, and built-in voice search for those who have yet to learn how to type or even spell) compared to the main YouTube experience, though it still features videos, channels, and playlists.
There’s also a content focus for early literacy, including science and math tutorials, though YouTube stops short from calling it an educational tool. The parental controls include a timer for watch time (even if the content is filtered, you presumably don’t want your kid watching videos all day), as well as options to turn off background sounds and the search function (limiting viewing to just the pre-selected videos available on the home screen).
YouTube Kids App Icon
If the search is turned off, the main way to find videos is to browse the channels and playlists, which are organized into four categories: Shows, Music, Learning, and Explore. As for the actual content itself, YouTube promises videos from DreamWorks TV, Jim Henson TV, Mother Goose Club, Talking Tom and Friends, National Geographic Kids, Reading Rainbow, and Thomas the Tank Engine.
It’s too early to gauge whether YouTube Kids will take off. YouTube says that “the possibilities are as endless as a child’s curiosity” but at the end of the day, it comes down to what parents think. They have to download the app, block or delete the main YouTube app, and then encourage their kids to use YouTube for Kids.
We’ve heard for a long time that Google is working on apps aimed at children. Indeed, the company not only says that “this is the first step toward reimagining YouTube for families” but that this is “our first building block in tech for tykes.”
In short, you can expect more Google apps and services aimed squarely at the youngest generation. It’s no secret in the tech industry that if you get them while they’re young, they may just use your products for life.
What’s keeping Thon dancers going: ‘The kids don’t give up, so why should we?’
On Friday, we asked dancers how high their expectations were for Thon 2015. With optimism, most students responded that they will be able to push through the 46 hours of no sitting and no sleeping.
READ: Dancer prep for Thon 2015: ‘I know I’m going to make it, I just don’t know how.’
Now, with the final four hours approaching, walk out on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center and you’ll see friends giving dancers piggy back rides, Dancer Relations captains wiping the tears from dancer’s cheeks and people mouthing words because they’ve lost their voice.
So we asked the dancers, “What has kept you going?”
Our first pair of dancers are best friends, and have been leaning on each other for support. Lauren Powers and Laura McAndrews, both of Yardley, Pa., say they knew it was going to be tough when they started.
Powers spoke for her and McAndrews, who had completely lost her voice. She said t
he cheery environment of the Bryce Jordan Center has kept their spirits high. Being able to dance with her best friend has helped “time to fly.” But in the end, it’s all been a mental game.
“You can prepare all you want,” Powers said. “But it’s all mental.”
For dancer Joseph Almato, of Bucks County, Pa., not knowing the time has helped him stay somewhat sane, he said.
“I’ve been catching myself falling asleep while standing and talking to people,” Almato said. But he “wakes up” every hour to do the line dance, which he has apparently perfected.
WATCH: Learn the Thon 2015 line dance
Dancer Nick Danforth, of Beverly, Ma. told us that about an hour ago, he felt like he “was going to die.”
“I was actually terrified going into it,” Danforth said. “The expectations where high. But there have been moments where I’m at my lowest, and little things keep me going. I got a letter from my brother that made me cry. He said there’s a much greater cause at stake, and he knew standing for 46 hours wouldn’t keep me down.”
Other dancers, like Danielle Diguglielmo of Newtown, Pa., said they feel better than they thought they would. But, she’s disappointed that her friends haven’t been able to make it on to the floor.
“The biggest struggle is probably the pass system,” Diguglielmo said. “It hasn’t been functioning and it’s disappointing when you
‘re expecting to see people.”
On Friday, Jordan Margolis of Monroeville, Pa., told us, “I know I’m going to make it, I just don’t know how.”
When we caught up with her today, Margolis said it hasn’t been easy. But like she said, she’s going to make it.
“There have definitely been highs and lows,” Margolis said. “The lows are exhausting and delirious. But if you stop then everything stops. We’re so close now. The kids don’t give up, so why should we?”
The dancers can sit when Thon officially ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.
5 ways to inspire kids to love reading
Let’s face it – reading affects every area of our lives. If kids struggle with reading, it is highly likely they will struggle in other areas of their academic life too. Parents can influence kids to form better reading habits and help them become better readers. Check out these five tips to inspire your kids to love reading:
1. Read with your kids. Parent involvement is the number one predictor of early childhood reading success and future academic achievement. Kids learn from parental modeling. Starting a daily reading ritual for pre-kindergarten kids is vital for developing a child’s love for reading. Kids who own 100 or more books tend to be more ready to tackle academic challenges.
Using books with pop outs help stimulate imagination and make reading fun. Before getting started, read the title and ask your child to make a prediction of what the story is about. Point to words and pictures as you read to helps kids make the correlation between the story and the illustrations. Read with enthusiasm and energy by changing pitch and intonation to punctuate the story and character’s voice. Follow up each story by asking questions to ensure they understood the story and can relate it to another story or personal experience. The love of reading is partially developed by relating stories to real life.
2. Set technology limits. Set a predetermined amount of time for kids to plug in to technology (including TV) each day. Replace TV and gaming time with daily reading rituals by scheduling reading time for your kids each day. Reading on an e-reader is good, but be sure kids have an appreciation for traditional books too. Shared reading time with the family as well as individual reading time reinforces good reading habits. Reading with good comprehension sets kids up for success in all of their other subjects like social studies, math and science.
3. Help kids create a reading list. It’s important to keep your child’s reading level in mind when helping him choose a good book to read. Use your intuition when asking him questions about what he wants to learn about, who he’d like to meet or what he wants to be when he grows up. All of these things make a good list of things to read about.
For infants and toddlers, choose books with bright colorful pictures and familiar objects. Cardboard or washable fabrics prevent little hands from getting too excited and ripping pages. Books that appeal to their senses and explore different textures will be fast favorites. Poems and rhymes are fun for parents to recite over and over again.
Preschoolers love illustrations that are colorful and engaging. Short stories that have simple plots and actions to follow will hold their short attention spans. Stories that are about everyday life can help them explore their world and stories about how things work will help them learn new concepts. Characters that are about the same as age as your child will help him relate to the character and take an interest in the story line.
Choosing books for young readers, up to age 11, take on a new dimension. They enjoy stories that take several days to read. They also like to read more in-depth versions of their childhood favorites. They still enjoy illustrations and photos, especially in how-to books. By this time, your child may have developed favorite authors, so reading other books in a series by the same author is a good strategy.
Adolescents like to read books with characters that are facing similar teen related challenges in their lives. Novels that take them to faraway places and times can foster their love for science fiction or history. Biographies, folktales and mythology can be good options too.
4. Set content guidelines. It is totally fitting for parents to monitor what their kids read. Just like television and movies, it is reasonable to consider that parents wouldn’t want their kids to engage in books with vulgar language, sex, violence or drugs. It is also important to only allow kids to read material that is age appropriate.
5. Screen for learning disabilities like dyslexia. Kids who don’t like to read typically don’t have good reading skills. This could be because reading wasn’t part of their early childhood experience, therefore, they don’t appreciate the value reading could have in their lives. It is important for parents to delve deeper into the reasons their kids don’t like to read.
If kids find reading boring, it could be that they only read school assignments that don’t tap into their interests. Finding books that are more in alignment with their hobbies or interest might help them enjoy reading more.
Some kids find reading difficult or tedious. That is could be related to how they learned to read. Check in with his teacher and see if there are learning disabilities like dyslexia involved or if a tutor could help get them up to speed. Poor reading skills can lead to kids falling behind in school at not liking school.
Kids like to know that things are relevant to their lives and some kids haven’t made the correlation between books and real life. Finding books that tie into their hobbies, interests or aspirations can help improve their interest in reading.
Reading opens up new worlds for kids. Stories can take their imaginations to foreign lands and spark an interest in travel, culture and adventure. Reading biographies can provide positive role models and inspire kids to excel in sports, academics and service. Give your kids the gift of reading by making it fun and exciting.
Hickman wins Rowlett Public Library’s Edible Book Contest with ‘Goodnight Moon’ design
Win a library contest; get a trip to the bookstore.
JoAnn Hickman got herself a $10 Barnes & Noble gift certificate with her victory in the Rowlett Public Library’s Edible Book Contest.
And the irony of sending a library patron to a book store wasn’t lost on Library Services Director Kathy Freiheit.
“Book lovers, we want to reward them,” Freiheit said. “These bibliophiles, they just love books from all sources. Maybe she will go get a coffee and book we don’t have.”
Hickman won with a cake decorated to recreate the cover of “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. Her entry was selected in competition with four others by 43 library patrons who made their choices based on photos of the entries.
“Talented bakers and candy makers showcased their skills and knowledge of books by creating tasty creations to celebrate ‘Love your Library!’ [Month] in February,” Freiheit said, noting the popular display was up for two weeks.
Justin Orchard submitted a cake decorated with Peeps to recreate a scene from a “Minecraft” book.
A candy entry from Rylan Ramirez represented the young adult book “Superfudge” by Judy Blume with the word “super” spelled out in fudge.
Otto Torrens recreated the green goo from Stephen King’s “Tommyknockers” with a mix of lime gelatin (or pistachio pudding), Oreo cookie crumble, Cool Whip topping and marshmallows.
And Brandon Gan used gelatin and icing to produce a book cover design for “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” by Annie Dillard.
The “Love your Library” month contest culminated with a party on Valentine’s Day.
“There are many reasons for loving your library – personal enjoyment, intellectual stimulation, children’s books and activities, research materials for school, home or work, free WiFi and public computers for Internet access, and the Internet, and more,” Freiheit said. “One of the best gifts parents can give their children is a love of reading, the foundation for a lifetime of learning and enjoyment.”
Foster Grandparent Program gets kids reading
Not sure how many of us would work for $2.65 an hour, 32 hours a week and find it fulfilling.
But for Mary Astorga, Arnetta Gardner and Irene Susbilla, it’s a rewarding gig to be part of the federal Foster Grandparent Program and teach children how to improve their reading skills by offering one-on-one time with underprivileged elementary school students.
The three are among 55 “Grandmas” and three “Grandpas” who work at 15 low-income schools throughout Clark County and are themselves low income.
To qualify for the program, the adults are at least 55 and on food stamps.
These three “Grandmas” work at Rundle Elementary School near Nellis and Stewart avenues.
Astorga, whom second-graders call “Grandma Mary,” is 60 and has worked as a Foster Grandparent for two years.
Watching Astorga work one-on-one first with Adrian Guzman and then with Katie Samson in the midst of second-grade teacher Israel Carrillo’s class was the highlight of my Tuesday. Their efforts showed on their faces and their smiles of success. Katie chose the book “The Plot Chickens” and clearly understood it when asked. Demonstrating his comprehension, Adrian wrote a book report on his choice, “Young Cam Jansen.”
Astorga corrected pronunciation, made sure words were not skipped and then asked questions to make sure the young reader understood what they were reading. (And they did.)
Assistant Principal Lorraine Watson said the program works and provided records for three anonymous students. One was reading at 12 words a minute at the beginning of the year and had improved to 42 words per minute. A second second-grader went from 32 words per minute to 59, and a third went from 15 to 39 words per minute. The end-of-the-year goal is 106 words per minute. Rundle joined the program in 1995.
Progress information on each student is reported to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, which has operated the program since 2006, taking over from the Equal Opportunity Board.
Sabrina Tolson, who supervises the program for Catholic Charities, approached me recently at the Review-Journal’s Successful Aging Expo to pitch the program.
The fact that the nationwide Foster Grandparent Program is 50 years old is another sign that it works, making it a dual program helping poor children and poor senior citizens.
Gardner, aka “Grandma Netta,” is 68 and in her third year with the program. With six children and 38 grandchildren, she is a natural. Like most involved in the program, she heard about the old- fashioned way: word of mouth. “I was not doing anything with my life, and I enjoy being productive.”
The $391,000 annual budget doesn’t allow advertising, but Tolson said the program would like to add more grandparents to expand into more schools. Her goal is to increase the current 58 to 76 grandparents.
“It takes patience, but they love us to death,” said Astorga, who works with younger children.
The qualities necessary to be a good Foster Grandparent include patience, good reading skills and being open to learning, Tolson said. “They have to be kind and have the ability to work with another generation.”
Grandparents (and you don’t have to be an actual grandparent to join) would need to understand the importance of the movie “Frozen” to these youngsters. Because the same grandparents work with the same students, it provides consistency.
Tolson said their average age is about 70, and they do lose some grandparents. An 89-year-old grandma recently had to retire. Another is still working after 22 years.
The program pays mileage and provides bus passes, but it’s not always easy to get to the schools, and the foster grandparents have to commit to a minimum of 15 hours a week. Another benefit is an annual physical at no cost.
“They’re not disciplinarians,” Tolson stressed. “They’re mentors, they’re roles models, they’re tutors.”
“My program has a lot of seniors who are not mobile. They get there on shuttle buses and use walkers. I know all of them, and they really want the kids to learn how to read. They are truly focused on how to say the words. Even though they have children speaking different languages.”
The program is a dual program, and the little extra they learn makes a difference, Gardner and Astorga agreed.
At Rundle about 43 percent of the students are English Language Learners and Foster Grandparents make a difference, Assistant Principal Watson said. “It’s really a joy having these grandparents here.” She wants two more at Rundle, if she can get them.
New DVDs feature top performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Renner
This week’s new DVD releases include two films that have top-notch acting performances overlooked by the Academy.
“Nightcrawler,” Grade B+: Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as a hustler looking for work selling footage to local TV news falls somewhere between Norman Bates and Gordon Gekko in his entrepreneurial efforts.
At times he seems driven by sociopathic tendencies, while other times his work borders on the madness of a great artist. The combination makes Bloom a character to be feared, but also the guy you want wading into the latest carnage to get the story.
Dan Gilroy is fearless in his writing and direction. He never backs off from making his main characters morally bankrupt and overly zealous when it comes to the job. These are not people to like as much as fear and respect for their lack of boundaries.
“Kill the Messenger,” Grade B+: Although the story deals with an important moment in history, the film finds its power in the personal story of those involved — the heralded and eventually crucified San Jose Mercury News reporter Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner).
Renner finds the perfect beat to show the stages of Webb’s rise and fall. At the start, he plays Webb with the kind of optimistic enthusiasm writers have when they latch on to a big story. Just as quickly, Renner shifts to a reserved humbleness after his story becomes a sensation. What makes Renner’s work so masterful is that he’s equally as believable when Webb’s life and career crash.
“Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” Grade: C+: This movie banks heavily on the natural charms of Steve Carell and the motherly ways of Jennifer Garner to win over an audience.
Just as in movies like “Holes” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” the key is how much moviegoers will like the movie’s central young star. Ed Oxenbould comes across as an average kid, a trait that must make his family happy but is not the best description for the person at the core of a feature film. The audience would be more sympathetic to Alexander if his own bad day was filled with more disasters.
“Laggies,” Grade B-: In lesser hands, “Laggies” would have been little more than an after-school special about the uncertainties highschoolers have about their future, emotional connections and family. That perspective is offered through Annika (Chloe Grace Moretz ), a confused teen living with her divorced father, Craig (Sam Rockwell).
The film never gets overly deep in its examination of generational and parental frustrations. It’s the dependable Moretz, Keira Knightley and Rockwell who get the most out of the script and make this production work.
ALSO NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK
“Addicted”: Sharon Leal portrays a woman who puts her career and family life in jeopardy when she has an affair with a painter.
“We Are Giants”: Filmmaker Greg Barker targets dilemma of justice and freedom through different mediums.
“Love at First Bite/Once Bitten”: Double feature of the George Hamilton and Lauren Hutton comedies.
“Mama’s Family: Season 6”: Vicki Lawrence stars in this spinoff from the “Carol Burnett Show.”
“Turbo Charged Chugger”: The latest release in the “Chuggington” series.
“Poker Night”: Detective is caught in sadistic game. Ron Perlman stars.
“Dora and Friends: Into the City”: Dora and her friends go on adventures.
“Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: The Complete Series”: Includes 32 episodes of the TV series.
“Nurse Jackie: Season 6”: Jackie (Edie Falco ) enjoys her sobriety.
“Batman: Season 2: Part One”: The Dynamic Duo continue to protect Gotham City.
“Syncopation”: William Dieterle’s 1942 musical feature with Benny Goodman.
“The Song”: Romantic drama inspired by the Song of Solomon.
“Strawberry Shortcake: Snowberry Days”: Playtime is interrupted when someone notices that the squirrels are low on supplies.
“Frankenstein vs. the Mummy”: Two monsters face off in an epic battle.
“Tarzan”: Animated tale of the jungle lord featuring the voice of Kellan Lutz.
“RPG”: Rutger Hauer plays a multimillionaire who faces battle for survival.
“Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds”: Documentary on what can be done to protect the source of nearly all food.
“EARTH A New Wild”: Examination of the way humans are connected to wild animals.
“The Lookalike”: Frantic search starts when the obsession of a drug lord dies.
“Brotherhood of Blades”: Young emperor’s determined to take down a major threat to his people.
“101 Dalmatians Diamond Edition”: The animated tale of Cruella De Vil and all of the puppies has been re-released.
“Kink”: Documentary on sexual extremes.
“Quiero Amarte”: The telenovela is a remake of “Imperio de Cristal.”
“A Mouse Tale”: Magic crystal must be found to stop an attack by evil rodents.
“Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure”: Dino-themed collection of mystery tales.
“Digimon Fusion”: Includes all 30 episodes from the first season.
“Foreclosure”: Family deals with a haunted house. Michael Imperioli stars.
“Walker, Texas Ranger: War Zone”: Walker must deal with the death of a close friend.
“Power Rangers Super Megaforce – The Silver Warrior”: Rangers are joined by an unexpected ally.
“Predestination”: Temporal agent travels through time to stop future killers.
“Olive Kitteridge”: Cable mini-series starring Frances McDormand.