Summer is here! Whether you or your gifted child are taking summer school courses, attending camp, traveling or enjoying activities with family and friends, summertime is a great opportunity to enjoy some extra reading. Do you have a long road trip coming up? Listen to an audiobook. Will you have time to kill at the airport? Reading a book will help pass the time. Are you and your friends on the hunt for a new endeavor? Start a book club to read and discuss novels together. In case you need some convincing to read beyond your assigned summer reading for school, here are you should be reading more:

1. Reading reduces stress.
2. Reading, especially books, may add years to your life.
3. Reading improves your language skills and knowledge of the world.
4. Reading enhances empathy.
5. Reading boosts creativity and flexibility.
6. Reading can help you transform as a person.

I personally enjoy reading because it’s a gratifying and necessary way for me to unplug. I love the moment when I discover I’ve been reading for hours on end because I’ve been so enveloped in a story and lost track of time. Sometimes there’s nothing better than devouring a good book!

Here are a few summer reads I’ve compiled to help inspire your and your gifted child’s summer reading list:

• Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers (Gr K–3): A moving and conversational description of the history of the Statue of Liberty and how some of the smallest details contribute to her symbolism as a welcoming beacon to the world.
• Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (Gr 3–7): Told from four intertwining points of view—two boys and two girls—the novel celebrates bravery, being different and finding your inner bayani (hero).
• The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty (Gr 4–6): Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn’t remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills and, ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12-years-old, she’s technically ready for college. She just has to pass one more test—middle school!
• Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Gr 5–6): Ally struggles to hide her dyslexia by continually getting in trouble, until a substitute teacher discovers what she is really hiding.
• Boying Up: How to Be Brave, Bold and Brilliant by Mayim Bialik (Gr 7–9): Mayim Bialik, star of The Big Bang Theory and author of the #1 bestseller Girling Up, puts her Ph.D. to work to talk to teen boys about the science and pressures of growing up male in today’s world.

Happy reading!

Do you have a favorite novel or book you are looking forward to reading this summer? Share it with us in the comments below!

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Dr. Ford is the Vice President and Chief of Surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a Professor of Surgery and the Vice Dean for Medical Education at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. He has been an for seven years and has mentored 17 Apprentices.

Mr. Kong is the Head of Product Design at Pasadena City College and a faculty member of the Graduate Industrial Design program at Art Center College of Design. He has been an ÓÅÃÛÊÓƵ Apprenticeship Mentor for 14 years and has mentored more than 150 Apprentices.

What did our guests enjoy?

Assorted hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served, including the signature drink for the evening, the LeMOONdrop. Wine was generously donated by John and Pam Craig.

Delicious dinner was catered by celebrated local chef Claud Beltran of Pasadena’s The Eatery. Table decorations included beautiful centerpieces donated by Orchard Supply Hardware.

Thanks to generous donations by individuals and local businesses, there were more than thirty one-of-a-kind silent auction packages available, including:

• VIP tickets to tapings of The Big Bang Theory and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
• Behind-the-scenes tours of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
• Artwork created by past Apprentices, CDB Scholars, and CDB parents
• Gift certificates to local businesses
• Resources, services, and enrichment opportunities for gifted children and their parents

Attendees had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Stan Kong and Dr. Henri Ford, two incredible individuals who we are lucky to have as members of our community, and the evening provided an opportunity for many different members of our community to meet each other. Guests also enjoyed a heartfelt presentation by past ÓÅÃÛÊÓƵ Apprentices thanking Dr. Ford and Mr. Kong for their mentorship.

The growth of ÓÅÃÛÊÓƵ was palpable over the course of the evening, as all ÓÅÃÛÊÓƵ programs were represented and Mentors, program participants, board members, parents, supporters, and staff joined together to celebrate.

The bright young minds we serve were involved in every aspect of the event. 2012 Caroline D. Bradley Scholar Talya Klinger created beautiful, hand-blown glass awards for each of our honorees. Two Caroline D. Bradley alumni, Bo Yan Moran and Tanner Scharch, and 2013 Apprentice James Tom played live music for the Patron and Open Cocktails. During the evening’s program, 2008 Apprentice Thomas Zenteno spoke about his Apprenticeship with Mr. Kong, and 2010 Apprentice Clara Wang spoke about her Apprenticeship with Dr. Ford. Many former Apprentices of Dr. Ford and Mr. Kong were also featured in a video tribute to the honorees.

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Thank you again to all of our event sponsors, donors, and guests. Your participation in this event has played an integral part in our fundraising efforts for this year to help us continue to provide unique and valuable programs and services to bright young minds. We couldn’t do it without you!

Please help ÓÅÃÛÊÓƵ continue to shine! If you have not yet had the opportunity to donate or if you would like to make another contribution, we would greatly appreciate your support by clicking here.