Best FREE e-Books to Engage Young Readers of ALL Ages

Last week's article presented helpful book list links to help our readers find just the right gift for the readers on their holiday shopping lists this year (GREAT Book Lists---for Now & Throughout the Year). We received so much positive input about the article from many readers that we thought it might be a good idea to continue our efforts in a similar way this week.

Let's face it. The holidays annually test our budgets and tempt us to purchase gifts that may often be too pricey. That's why this week, we wanted to help our readers avoid that issue entirely, especially as the holiday shopping time winds down and "funds" may be quite depleted. What about giving your child or teen a FREE e-book---or, better yet, a list of FREE e-books? That way, your gift will "keep on giving" not only during this holiday time but throughout the entire year! Not bad for a gift that will cost you only the time it takes to read this article and browse the e-book lists we've provided. (You'll totally avoid the mall crowds, too!)

We hope you'll find here at least one selection to appeal to a young reader you know. In fact, consider creating your own list of links personally chosen by you for a child or teen you know. Copy and paste the links selected on a Word document, fold and wrap it in a box with pretty paper and ribbon. We think it will be a treasured gift for a special young reader!

Special Notes: You do NOT need an e-book reader to utilize these resources. Just visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=klp_mn and follow the easy steps there to start reading Kindle apps on your tablet, smartphone, or computer! Many of these resources can be downloaded directly to a laptop, desktop or other device without a special application. In addition, please know that the books in these link lists were FREE at the time of this article's publication but may NOT be free at a later date.

ManyBooks (e-Book Selections for Children)
You can subscribe to ManyBooks.com to gain access to many FREE, downloadable e-Books. Join 120,000+ fellow readers and receive FREE eBooks and book bargains in your inbox. This link will provide many e-book titles (with downloads) for children in various age groups.
http://manybooks.net/categories/CHI

Best Free Kindle e-Books for Children
FREE Kindle downloads for children aged 7-12.
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21465.Best_Free_Kindle_Ebooks_for_Children_

29 Sites With Free Teen & Young Adult e-Books
Within the virtual pages of these teen and young adult e-books, you’ll find realistic dilemmas, timeless themes, dating, love and messages of hope. Young adult authors have found a way to capture the minds of young readers, drawing special circumstances of a teen’s world and life through fantastic worlds of unlimited possibilities.
http://www.getfreeebooks.com/?p=10709

Goodreads---FREE e-Books for Teens
An assortment of titles of FREE e-books for teens.
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/23017.FREE_Ebooks_For_Teens

For more information on customizable low-tech & digital reading tools for all kinds of challenged readers, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
ClipArt.me at http://clipart.me/premium-technology/realistic-vector-laptop-tablet-computer-monitor-and-mobile-phone-template-1565 and
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

BEST Books for Younger Challenged Readers (Ages 4-8)

The last article in a series of 3 (different age groups)

As the holiday season draws to a close, so does our series of three articles here with book lists and resources for challenged readers in various age groups. We thought that providing this information at this time would help parents and teachers discover books for gift giving to reluctant or struggling readers.

This last article is intended for younger readers (age levels provided with each selection). Some of the books listed are geared toward children who daily experience the challenges of dyslexia. Others touch on more general reading problems. One book even deals with bullying, which is an issue that, unfortunately, many students face in our schools today. At the end of the resources list, you’ll even find a link to a site that offers FREE e-books, which can be very helpful to young challenged readers (as e-readers and other tech devices for e-books can help diminish visual stress experienced by some challenged readers.)

We hope you’ll agree that each of these selections offers more than just one more book for a child to read. They each have something “special” to offer a young person whose self-esteem is at stake because of a struggle to read.

Happy reading---AND Happy Holidays, dear readers!

BEST Books for Younger Challenged Readers

Tacky the Penguin---by Helen Lester & illustrated by Lynn M. Musinger (ages 4-8)
This delightful tale of an odd penguin that doesn’t fit in with the “perfect” penguins in his colony is well suited to budding out-of-the-box thinkers who often do things differently from their peers. Stories give children a way to think positively about themselves and Tacky is a hero for children who struggle with differences. A Read-Along Book/CD combo is also available.
http://www.amazon.com/Tacky-Penguin-Helen-Lester/dp/0395562333/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386290429&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Tacky+the+Penguin---by+Helen+Lester+%26+illustrated+by+Lynn+M.+Musinger

It’s Called Dyslexia---by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos & illustrated by Nuria Roca (ages 4-7)
Whoever said that learning to read and write is easy? The little girl in this story is unhappy and she no longer enjoys school. When learning to read and write, she tries to remember which way the letters go but she often gets them all mixed up. After she discovers that dyslexia is the reason for her trouble, she begins to understand that with extra practice and help from others, she will begin to read and write correctly. At the same time, she also discovers a hidden talent she never knew existed!
http://www.amazon.com/Called-Dyslexia-Live-Learn-Books/dp/0764137948/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386286193&sr=1-1&keywords=It%E2%80%99s+Called+Dyslexia---by+Jennifer+Moore-Mallinos

Thank You, Mr. Falker---by Patricia Polacco (ages 5-8)
"This story is truly autobiographical. It is about my own struggle with not being able to read. This story honors the teacher that took the time to see a child that was drowning and needed help...Mr. Falker, my hero, my teacher, not only stopped this boy from teasing me, but he also noticed that I wasn't reading well and got a reading specialist to help." -Patricia Polacco
http://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Falker-Patricia-Polacco/dp/0399257624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386287339&sr=1-1&keywords=Thank+You%2C+Mr.+Falker---by+Patricia+Polacco

The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia---by Diane Burton Robb and Gail Piazza (ages 7-10)
"When Adam was little, he loved to sink into his mother's warm lap and listen to her read." Yet, reading becomes a frustrating, daily battle once Adam starts school. Finally, in third grade, Adam learns that he has dyslexia...and begins a journey back to enjoying reading.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Alphabet-War-Story-Dyslexia/dp/0807503029

FREE e-Books for Young Readers---from Pearson Education, Ltd. (for Primary Grades)
Everyone deserves a rest when they’re at home, but it’s also important for children to keep up with their reading practice if they can. To help make reading fun at home, this resource provides FREE access to a range of e-books for teachers, parents and children. No sign-up, no login, no fuss. http://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Primary/GlobalPages/BugClubReadingChallenge/BugClubReadingChallenge%20-%20Teachers.aspx

Sources:

Young People’s Books Focusing on Dyslexia
http://dyslexia.yale.edu/EDU_YPbooks.html

Finding FREE Kids Books Online: Holiday Edition!
http://www.kcedventures.com/blog/free-kids-holiday-and-christmas-books-online

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com