Google Encourages Girls to Check Out Careers in Computer Technology

Google is launching a new site to encourage girls to learn about building technology. The site, Made with Code, will mentor girls who are interested in careers in computer science and inspire more girls to look into opportunities in the amazing world of computer technology. 

Chelsea Clinton, guest speaker at Made With Code Conference for Girls

YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki shared a common concern for many women in tech: that there are "far too few young girls" pursuing similar careers. Less than 1% of high school girls, she said, express interest in majoring in computer science.  
Are you considering a career in computer science? Let us know by leaving a comment below. Thank you.

School's Out Time to Read for Fun!

Summer time and school's out! Time to play, but also time to learn about topics you are interested in with no tests or teacher grading you on essays about the topic. Why not read for fun? Escape into another world of fantasy, science fiction, the past. 

Vote in the poll in the right margin. Do you like to read fiction or non-fiction stories?

Please share your favorite book with us in the comment section. Thank you!

I have compiled a list of books for you to enjoy reading this summer based on suggestions from About.com. Click on the topic to find the entire list of suggested books.

Historical Fiction: All of these works of historical fiction for middle grade readers have been recognized with one or more awards. These awards include the John Newbery Medal, the Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. They represent time periods from the medieval times to the 1970s. 

1. Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page

Candlewick Press

Title: Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page
Author:  Richard Platt
Illustrator:  Chris Riddell
Overview:  With an oversize format and wonderfully detailed illustrations, young readers get a firsthand view of daily life in a medieval castle in 1285 as Tobias Burgess, who is 11 years old, recounts his experiences as a new page.
Awards: Parents’ Choice Awards, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date:  1999, PB 2001
ISBN: 9780763604899
Read my review of Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page.

2. Johnny Tremain

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Title: Johnny Tremain
Author:  Esther Forbes
Overview:  Set in the 1770s, the story of Johnny Tremain, a 14 year old orphan, is a dramatic one, focusing on his involvement in the Revolutionary War and the impact it has on his life.
Awards: 1944 John Newbery Medal
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date:  1943, 2011
ISBN: 9780547614328
Read the review of Johnny Tremain.

3. Across Five Aprils

Penguin

Title: Across Five Aprils
Author: Irene Hunt
Overview: This novel covers five years in the life of young Jethro Creighton and focuses on how the Civil War impacts life for Jethro, from the age of 9 to 14, and his family on their southern Illinois farm.
Awards: Five, including recognition as a 1965 Newbery Honor Book
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 1964, 2002
ISBN: 9780425182789
Read the review of Across Five Aprils.

4. Dragon's Gate

HarperCollins

Title: Dragon's Gate
Author: Laurence Yep
Overview: Set in and around 1867, this coming-of-age story combines Chinese and United States (particularly California) history in the tale of Otter, a 14-year-old Chinese boy who is forced to flee his country and join his father and uncle in California. There his unrealistic expectations of life in the U.S. come up against the reality of the Chinese immigrants' harsh experiences there.
Awards: 1994 Newbery Honor Book
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 9780064404891
Read the review of Dragon's Gate.

5. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Henry Holt

Title: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Author: Jacqueline Kelly
Overview:  Set in Texas in 1899, this is the story of spunky Calpurnia Tate who is more interested in science and nature than in learning to be a lady and her life with her family, which includes six brothers.
Awards:  Newbery Honor Book, several state awards
Publisher:  Henry Holt
Publication Date:  2009
ISBN:  9780805088410
Read the review of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

Fiction Novels: 

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series
• Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
• The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books
• The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

• Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
• Novels by Sharon Creech
• The Spiderwick Chronicles
• Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo