We read so many books here at the Sandbox it is hard to keep an updated list. I feel the need to capture that experience to help plot our future reading choices. Our library's summer reading program had an excellent online tool that allowed Ironhide to document what he read and review it. I was able to print out a list at the end of summer for our records. The log also provided him with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the summer.
For the school year I wanted something along those lines to keep up with everyone's reading list. I could have done it on Amazon but I wanted a commercial free zone to capture thoughts and feelings without market forces coming into play. So we are trying Goodreads.
"Goodreads is the largest social network for readers in the world. We have more than 3,500,000 members who have added more than 100,000,000 books to their shelves. A place for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, Goodreads members recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they've read and would like to read, form book clubs and much more. Goodreads was launched in December 2006."
This is a great place for the avid reader. I love the founder message about why he started Goodreads.
"When I was in second grade, I discovered the Hardy Boys series. Ever since, I've loved to read — both for fun and to improve my mind. And I'm always looking for the next great book. Reviews on Amazon and other sites are helpful, but I thought there might be a better way.
One afternoon while I was scanning a friend's bookshelf for my next great read, it struck me. When I want to know what books to read, I'd rather turn to a friend than any random person, bestseller list or algorithm. So I thought I'd build a website — a website where I could see my friends' bookshelves and learn about what they thought of all their books."
We discovered a series of books about an adventurous journalist mouse by the name of Geronimo Stilton. This is a wonderful series of books written for kids 8-12 years old and appeals to Ironhide's need for action based stories. This series uses different colored text and Onomatopoeia to bring the story alive. It covers topics from the Amazon, Ancient Egypt and the Ice Age. Ironhide starts reading them standing in line at the library.
