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Summer reading for kids

ORONO – Summer is all about being outdoors, but it’s also important to encourage children to keep up with their reading over the two-month break from school.

Janice Kristo, professor of education, author and specialist in teacher education at the University of Maine, said that summer presents unique opportunities to connect education and discovery through reading.

A good field guide on bird identification, craft books or how-to books can create an easy and natural integration of books, fun and learning, she said.

“I find that parents and caregivers are always looking for good titles, as well as ways to share books effectively with their kids at home during the summer – and all through the school year – to help ease up on the summer loss of reading, at least for some kids,” Kristo said.

“It’s also a good opportunity for parents to learn about recommended poetry titles and nonfiction, in addition to fiction, and ways that nonfiction books can increase children’s learning through the summer,” she said.

Kristo can be reached for information and creative ideas at Jan.Kristo@umit.maine.edu or 581-2454.

Here are recommendations from professor Kristo. For young children, all 2008 titles:

. “Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear,” by Matthew J. Baek.

. “I Love You, Mouse,” by John Graham and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

. “Will you Read to Me?” by Denys Cazet.

. “Maybe a Bear Ate It!” by Robie H. Harris and illustrated by Michael Emberley.

. “Jack and Jill’s Treehouse” by Pamela Duincan Edwards and illustrated by Henry Cole.

. “The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas and Grandpas!” by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Michael Emberley.

. “Hogwood Steps Out” by Howard Mansfield and illustrated by Barry Moser.

For older children, fifth grade through middle level:

. “Schooled,” by Gordon Korman.

. “The Dragon Tree,” by Jane Langton.

. “Seekers: The Quest Begins,” by Erin Hunter.

. “It’s Only Temporary,” by Sally Walker.

. “Adventuresome Women,” by Penny Colman.

For all:

. “Follow the Line Around the World,” by Laura Ljungkvist.

. “United Tweets of America: 50 State Birds,” by Hudson Talbott.

. “Frogs,” by Nic Bishop.

. “Octopus,” by Sandra Markle.

. “Let It Shine,” by Ashley Bryan.

. “Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes,” by Pamela S. Turner.

. “The Quest for the Tree Kangaroo,” by Sy Montgomery.

. “Poetry Speaks to Children,” edited by Elise Paschen.

Colleges

Canadian studies

ORONO – A new scholarship program fostering Canadian studies is being offered through the University of Maine’s Canadian-American Center and the Office of International Programs.

The first round of applications for Killam Fellowships, providing up to $5,000 per semester in direct financial aid for undergraduate students to study in Canada, with additional funds for health insurance and travel within Canada, will be due February 2009.

Students from any department or program, with a minimum 3.6 grade point average, may apply for a semester or academic year at a Canadian partner institution.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this internationally recognized scholarship to UMaine students,” said Betsy Arntzen, Canadian Studies outreach coordinator at the Canadian-American Center. “When the Killam Fellowship Program concluded its five-year pilot phase and sought to expand, they contacted us to consider offering the program at UMaine because of our large Canadian Studies program. Needless to say, we jumped at the chance.”

The Killam fellowships are designed to enhance study-abroad opportunities for UMaine students. Modeled much like the Fulbright award, the Killam Fellowship includes a fall orientation in Ottawa, a spring seminar in Washington, D.C., and boasts a very active alumni group.

The Killam Fellowship Program, which is administered by the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America, is supported by the American Killam Trusts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and the Foundation.

The fellowship program “will be the single largest scholarship our study abroad program offers to qualified students,” added Karen Boucias, director of International Programs. “It is a prestigious award to offer our students.”

The Canadian-American Center and the UMaine Office of International Programs are administering the university’s participation in the program. For information call Karen Boucias, director of international programs, at 581-3433, or Arntzen, coordinator of Canada Year at 581-4225.

By the end of this summer, the Killam Fellowship program will have supported 82 exceptional young men and women from a variety of backgrounds and a range of academic disciplines at some 21 colleges and universities in the United States.

Bentley College

Area students have been named to the president’s list for the spring semester at Bentley College in Waltham, Mass., having achieved a grade point average of 3.7 or higher, are:

. Austin Crowley Smith of Bangor, a senior majoring in economics and finance.

. Tyler Jon Carr of Hermon, a junior majoring in economics and finance.

Area students named to the dean’s list, with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher, were:

. David Finch of Bangor, a junior majoring in economics and finance.

. Benjamin Pooler of Clifton, a senior majoring in finance.

. Joshua Ranger of Hampden, a sophomore majoring in business.

Bowdoin College

BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin College in Brunswick held its 203rd commencement exercises on May 24. Area graduates:

. Caitlin Edwards of Bangor was awarded a bachelor’s degree. She graduated with a major in history and a minor in English.

. Michael Larochelle of Bangor was awarded a bachelor’s degree. He graduated with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry.

. Nicholas Larochelle of Bangor was awarded a bachelor’s degree. He graduated with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry.

. Andrew Steltzer of Hampden was awarded a bachelor’s degree. He graduated with a major in Asian studies and a minor in government and legal studies.

. Maria Openshaw of Hampden was awarded a bachelor’s degree. She graduated with a double major in Latin American studies and Spanish.

Castleton State College

CORINTH – Alden Gregory of Corinth has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Castleton State College in Castleton, Vt. Gregory is a psychology major.

Connecticut College

ORONO – Jacob Tisher of Orono was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Connecticut College in New London, Conn.

Husson College

BANGOR – Several students from the Corinth area have been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Husson College, earning a 3.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale:

. Katey Alexander, psychology and occupational therapy.

. Shawna Bell, physical education.

. Jessica Bubar, undeclared major.

. Elizabeth Dauphinee, business administration.

. Jenna Dauphinee, kinesiology, human movement and physical therapy.

. Daniel Kane, accounting.

. Jennifer Rollins, nursing.

. Stephanie Scott, undeclared major.

. Melissa Shawley, nursing.

. Amanda Thompson, nursing.

BANGOR – Megan Thibodeau of Winterport was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Husson College. She is studying business administration.

Northeastern University

Area students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Northeastern University in Boston:

Bangor: Emilie Bronson, music; Michael Farrar, engineering; James George, computer science; Emily Heath, pharmacy.

Brewer: Matthew Whalen, industrial engineering.

Bucksport: Brittany Damon, industrial engineering.

Hampden: Katelyn Richards, pharmacy.

Orono: Nicholas Starno, mechanical engineering.

Northern Maine Community College

Area students named to the dean’s for the spring semester at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle are:

Bangor: Joshua Parent, high honors; Stephen Bowers.

Carmel: Scott McLaughlin.

Corinth: Justin Jones, Joshua Rolland.

Etna: Ryan Sanders.

Old Town: Kelley McLaughlin.

Norwich University

Local students received degrees from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., during commencement on May 11:

. Michael Peverada of Hampden, with a degree in international studies.

. Kate McLean of Orrington, with a degree in electrical engineering.

Quinnipiac University

These area students received degrees during commencement ceremonies on May 18:

. Courtney St. Germain of Hermon, with a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic imaging.

. Jeffrey Bouchard of Hampden, with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and small business management.

Saint Mary’s College

BANGOR – Caroline Cox was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. She is the daughter of Suzanne and James Cox of Bangor.

Simmons College

HAMPDEN – Sheila Sheedy from Hampden received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Simmons College in Boston.

Springfield College

Area students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring term at Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.:

. Alyssa Coyne of Old Town, a sophomore majoring in physical therapy.

. Alison Leighton of Bangor, a senior in therapeutic recreation services.

University of New Hampshire

Local students named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., are:

Brewer: Ashley Hawkins-Kimball, highest honors.

Hampden: Lauren Maltz, honors.

Levant: Kimberley Chisholm, highest honors.

Milford: Jennifer Jones, high honors.

Orono: Baylee Cherkis, high honors; James Rose, honors.

Orrington: Kelsey Gagnon, highest honors.

Veazie: Alison Cheney, highest honors; Tamra Knapp, honors.

Winterport: Isabel Craven, high honors.

Scholarship recipients

BELFAST – The University of Maine Hutchinson Center has announced the scholarships awarded for the summer:

Selected to receive the United Mid-Coast Charities Scholarships are:

. Nicolle Littrell, Belfast, a graduate student in liberal studies with concentration in new media, women’s studies and communication.

. Angela Lyford, Hudson, a graduate student who is completing a field practicum in social work.

Awarded a Shirley and Ron Jarvella Scholarship to continue work as a graduate student in the Hutchinson Center’s Special Education program is:

. Deborah Bailey of Rockland, a graduate student working toward a Certificate of Advanced Studies in special education administration.

Receiving the Pete and Ann Bixler Scholarships are:

. Levi Krajewski, Palermo.

. Amy Smith, Lincolnville.

The Best of the Best Scholarship awards, raised from the Village Soup and Hutchinson Center “Best of the Best Gala” event, will go to:

. Diana Nickerson, Brooks.

. Carmen Forzetting, Lincolnville.

For information on summer classes or planning for the fall semester, call 800-753-9044.