Mom, I’m Bored!

Schools are beginning to let out for the summer, which means that in a couple of weeks you’ll start hearing the “I’m bored” refrain. Although I suspect most children weren’t like me and counting down the days until summer vacation just so they could spend the time reading, when your young’uns start looking for something to do, here are some reading suggestions.

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards just announced their shortlists, including the John Spray Mystery Award:

• Borderline by Allan Stratton ((HarperTrophyCanada) – ages 13 and up
• Dead Bird Through the Cat Door by Jan Markley (Gumboot Books)– ages 9-12
• The Mystery of the Cyber Bully by Mary Chan (Thistledown Press) – ages 9-12
• A Spy in the House by Y.S. (Lee Candlewick Press) – ages 13 and up
• Victim Rights by Norah McClintock (Red Dear Press) – ages 13 and up

Booklist also posted its top YA crime fiction:

• Bullet Point by Peter Abrahams (HarperTeen) – grades 9–12
• The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye by Nancy Springer (Philomel) – grades 6-9
• Griff Carver, Hallway Patrolby Jim Krieg (Penguin/Razorbill) – grades 4-7
• The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood (HarperCollins/Balzer and Bray) – grades 4-6
• The Liar Society by Laura Roecker and Lisa Roecker (Sourcebooks) – grades 7-10
• The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine) – grades 4-6
• Nickel Plated by Aric Davis (AmazonEncore) – grades 8-11
• Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick (Roaring Brook) – grades 7-10
• Treasure of Dead Man’s Lane and Other Case Files by Simon Cheshire (Roaring Brook) – grades 4-7
• You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin (Little, Brown) – grades 9-12

And if you find them a bit reluctant, remind these members of the Smartphone Generation that they can even download books to their phones and e-readers.