Summer Reading to Beat Childhood Cancer

Hey Kids!

I hope everyone’s summer is going along swimmingly! I’m happy to report that a number of you have been blogging during vacation.  Woo-hoo!  Way to go!  I’m enjoying reading your posts from vacations to Atlanta to the Miami Heat to bucket lists.

Our favorite books

Our favorite books

I want to share a summer reading program with you called A Million Books for HOPE.  In reading Mrs. Rombach Reads  (an excellent blog by the way; check it out), I learned about this program which aims to raise funds in order to fight childhood cancers.  A Million Books for HOPE was started by 8-year-old Hope Veazey and her two sisters, Joy and Peace.  Hope was diagnosed with leukemia on July 10, 2013.  Her mother writes that reading has been a stronghold for Hope, distracting her from her hard days of chemotherapy and helping her to keep up with her days of missed class time.  To that end, Hope’s family teamed up with The Truth 365, a  campaign devoted to increasing awareness and research for childhood cancer.  According to their website, “cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States. In fact, cancer kills 7 children every day in the United States. (Source: National Cancer Institute). Each year in the United States, approximately 13,500 children and adolescents 18 and under are diagnosed with cancer. That’s more than a classroom of kids a day.” (Sources: Center for Disease Control and Children’s Oncology Group).

The goal of A Million Books for HOPE read-a-thon is to raise money for pediatric cancer research by reading and receiving sponsorships for each book read over the summer.  Students can register and create a reading page which will keep family and friends updated on the number of books read over the summer and offer a way for these family members and friends to make a donation for every book read.  In addition, Barnes and Noble is offering prizes to students who raise $250 or more.  Every student who raises $250 will receive a Barnes and Noble gift card for $25.  Students who raise $500 will receive a $50 gift card.  You can find information about all available prizes as well as dates, deadlines, and reading logs  here.  Families can register as a team as well.  My family is on board!  I hope you will join us!

After you read a book, remember to list it on your summer log and leave a quick review of it on our Summer Reading post.  Also, it would be great to keep anyone who is sick in our prayers this summer.  Write their names down in your own little prayer book so you remember them.

How can you make an impact on this world this summer?

 

 

 

 

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12 thoughts on “Summer Reading to Beat Childhood Cancer

  1. Hey Mrs. Donofrio,
    I’ve read 3 books this week so maybe I’ll start a reading page. I’m totally taking part of this. It sounds really fun and I like to read!!! 🙂 Since I love to bake I’m starting this thing, but it is a big surprise. So I will get back to you. Hope you’re having a fun summer!!! 🙂
    Bye,
    Christine

    • Hi Chrissy,
      If you use Compfight, your photos will automatically be attributed. Google images is not a good search engine for photos since it is hard to know if these photos are copyrighted or not. I can show you more places to look for photos when school starts, and I will write another comment with some links later on today. Right now, I am off to the library!
      See you soon. Keep up the great work on your blog!
      ~Mrs. Donofrio

  2. Hi Mrs.Donofrio,
    I am currently in Jamaica. At around 2:30 we are going rafting in the rapids in Jamaica. The cruise has been so much fun. I will try to get you a postcard. In two days we will be in Mexico so I will see if I can get a comment in. Hope you are having a great summer!

    Anthony

    • Great to hear from you, Anthony! I know you will have a fantastic river rapid ride. Although I didn’t know you were on a cruise, I am not surprised to hear it! I’m sure you are having a fantastic time. Is there a FlowRider on the ship? I do know that you like those from one of your posts.
      We are heading to Atlanta tomorrow. I have never been there, and am looking forward to it. I will bring my iPad and try to comment while on vacation, too! Have a great time in Mexico! Maybe you’ll see some ancient ruins.
      ~Mrs. Donofrio

  3. Hey Mrs.Donofrio,
    Wow, what you’re doing sounds so great! I have been reading this summer and doing all of my work. I’ve also been helping out at VBS and today was the last day. It was ok. I hope you are having a great summer. To answer your question I think by helping out at places and volunteering is a great way to make an impact. Also by giving money to people in need.What is your favorite book? Hope to blog you later!

    Love, Hannah

    • Hi Hannah,
      I am currently rereading Gone With the Wind, one of my all-time favorite books. I started it when I went to Atlanta last week, so it was especially fun to read in the city where the novel is set. I’m glad to hear you are having a good summer. I got two of your postcards today! Thank you!! I set them on my desk where I can see them every time I work on the computer. Are you planning any travels this summer? See you soon, and hello to all your family!
      ~Mrs. Donofrio

  4. Hey Mrs.Donofrio,
    I am doing my report on the reading assignments and I cannot find my authors address or email address. What should I do?

  5. Hey Mrs.Donofrio,
    Currently I’m not planning on going on any vacations but I wish I was. Hope to blog you later!
    Love, Hannah

  6. Hi Mrs. Donofrio!
    I have just finished the book ‘Small as an Elephant’ by Jennifer Jacobson. It is about a 10 year old boy who is camping with his mother, when one day she disappears. Jack goes on a search for his mother which leads to him stealing to him hiding in dumpsters. He is pretty interested in elephants and makes a goal to see Lydia the elephant before finding his mother. He meets new friends, some helping him along his way, some trying to turn him in. Well I have to go now and I hope you are enjoying your summer!
    Raina

    • Hi Raina,
      That sounds like an interesting book! It has a very unique concept; I wouldn’t normally associate elephants with camping. I’m also intrigued by a 10-year-old who would postpone looking for his lost mother in favor of finding an elephant. Elephants are pretty cool, but his mother has disappeared!
      I recently finished reading Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall. As the title implies, it was a book about running, but also about anthropology, philosophy, and business ethics. I wish I hadn’t finished it because I loved reading it!
      I am going to reread Nothing But the Truth and Red Kayak next. See you soon! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
      ~Mrs. Donofrio

  7. Hi Mrs. Donofrio!
    I just recently finished reading the book ‘If I Stay’ by Gayle Forman. It is about a 17 year old girl named Mia Hall who was in a head on collision. Both of her parents and her brother, Teddy, died in the accident. While her body is in a coma and undergoing many surgeries to keep her alive, her spirit is conscious. Now, Mia has to choose if she wants to die, and join her parents and Teddy, or is she wants to stay and get through it with her remaining family and friends. She watches as her family members come in and visit her, but the only person she really wants to see is her boyfriend, Adam, but he is M.I.A. While she waits for him, she looks back at some of the best and most important moments of her life. When he finally arrives and begs Mia to stay, she realizes that even though she lost some of the most important people in her life, she still has a family who loves her and will help her get through it. The book ends with Mia’s spirit rejoining her body, which is lying on the hospital bed as she takes every ounce of energy she has to squeeze Adam’s hand.

    I also read the sequal, called ‘Where She Went’, which is set in Adam’s point of view that tells how both his and Mia’s lives ended up. I enjoyed reading both of the books, and look forward to seeing the movie adaptation of ‘If I Stay’, which comes out on August 22. I hope you’re having a great summer! Blog you later!
    ~Megan

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