Website: Starfall

Starfall Education. (2010). Learn to Read with Phonics. Retrieved from http://www.starfall.com/


I found the Starfall website by perusing links in the Halifax Public Libraries kids section. The website is divided into four levels; ABC’s, Learn to Read, It’s Fun to Read, and I’m Reading. The most advanced level, I’m Reading, is a good match for the literacy level of a struggling 9 year old, but I’m not sure their attention would be held by the juvenile layout and simple, albeit sometimes amusing, animations. I was reading a story in the I’m Reading section and was disappointed to be asked to complete a math question between the pages of the story. What’s 3 + 4? Is it 6, 7, or 8? This is stuff for kindergartners. A literacy deficiency does not denote a math deficiency and kids who have low self-esteem about reading don’t need to be condescended to about their numbers too. This is an excellent site, but I’d keep it to kids who are five years old or younger.

Website: Guys Read

Scieszka, J. (2010). Guys Read. Retrieved from http://www.guysread.com/

The mission statement for this site is clear, "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers" (Scieszka, 2010). This is a wonderful statement and the website in general is a comprehensive resource. With so much attention being given to the guys here, I hope the girls out there don't get jealous! On the home page, a book of the month is listed, with a cover shot and brief description, there are links to notable books such as the "New Book on the Pile," links to audio books, and resource links such as "Guys &Reading" which lists some of the perceptions and barriers guys have toward reading and profile of guys who do read and what they like to read. Finally, all the recommended books are sorted into eighteen INTERESTING categories, such as "Dragons," "Scary," "War," "At least one explosion," etc. Jon Scieszka is a renowned author, but pioneering this website might just be his most effective creation for helping proliferate a new generation of readers.