More Living Columnists

• Dolores Sanchez Badillo: The view from the fenceline
• Mary Penner: Learning about your past is an awesome journey
• Steve Brewer: Goofy fads can hold fond memories for families

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Summer provides a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to encourage their growing kids of character to have reading books that present character themes in age level appropriate children's literature.

A great resource for elementary and middle school reading is the supplemental literature program, "Literacy & Values," published by Voices of Love and Freedom, an educational organization dedicated to literacy, character education and prevention.

"At the heart of his innovative program is a selection of award-winning multi-cultural literature that integrates core character themes such as compassion, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility, self-determination and citizenship."

At each grade level, K-5, the "Literacy & Values" books offer 10 different selections presented in either hardcover or paperback. On the second grade list is Bill Cosby's, "The Meanest Thing To Say," which deals with the theme of what can you do when someone is mean to you.

A third grade selection for girls is Mufaro's "Beautiful Daughters: An Ancient African Tale" written by John Steptoe. The theme of the book is about reaping what you sow, teaching that kindness is not a weakness.

A fifth grade selection for boys and girls is a biography called "Coming Home," written by Floyd Cooper on the life of Langston Hughes. Themes shared in this book include hope, community, and racial pride.

At the middle school 20 outstanding selections are offered including the novel, "The Gift-Giver," by Joyce Hansen, that tells the story of Amir, a gentle loner, a new kid whose self-confidence inspires friendship and perseverance in an inner city neighborhood.

The character building selections from the K-8 "Literacy & Values" series provide parents and grandparents with a special reading resource. To learn more about books to help build kids of character, go to Voices of Love and Freedom.