Welcome back, SFS readers! Here's a sneak preview of our focus for our first LA library visit: All About Sora! Sora is an app that enables you to use your SFS username and password to check out eBooks and eAudiobooks!  Learn more about Sora in the video below, or get started with Sora by clicking here. 

Thank you so much for joining me in this quarter of Distance Library Learning. Please know that your engagement through emails, suggestions, zooms have meant the world to me! 

Regarding summer reading, my hope is to provide you with as many resources as possible to prevent the feeling of being  stuck without an ideas of what to read. I've created the summer reading lists based on scholarly reviews, bestsellers, and data on what our students were checking out from the library. Please also take a minute to view the SFS Summer Reading page to access additional reading lists (i.e. the Lone Star Reading List, Maverick Graphic Novel List, etc.) and other summer reading programs). Don't forget that you can continue reading books from ComicsPlus and Epic! eBooks.

Feel free to log any titles, whether they are from the suggested lists or not, that you read over the summer to share when school resumes in the Fall! ​Download your lists and view highlights from the reading list below! 

Introducing Comics Plus!I'm so very excited to share our latest resource to kick start your summer reading COMICS PLUS! Comics Plus is our very own database of over 7,000 comics. You'll never have to wait to read your favorite comics because they are available on demand! You can read them on your computer, or download the ComicsPlus app (App Store / Google Play)  to read them on your phone or tablet. After you download a comic it will be available even if you don't have WIFI. Here's how to access it: 

1.  Go to Comics Plus or download the Comics Plus App to your phone/tablet.
2. Click: Sign Up (in the top right corner if accessing via browser)
3. It should say St. Francis School (if not, simply select our school).
4. Enter the code emailed to your family/posted within Bloomz or Jupiter.
5. Enter your email address and create a password.
6. Enjoy searching for and reading comics!

Need more help? Watch this tutorial below!

It's not a surprise to any of you that  I believe reading is a magical experience that happens any time you get lost in a story. However, this doesn't always happen easily for every reader.. Whether you're reading all the time or not at all currently, I see each of you as a reader.  Be open to the wonderfully wide variety of stories out there. Be adventurous in your explorations of information and stories. Make a conscious effort avoid labeling yourself with any sort of negative identities (i.e. someone who hates reading or only does when forced). Even if you weren't a reader yesterday, you have a choice to change that any time you read something new whether it's a comic, article, book, audiobook, blog post, manga, etc! 

With all of this in mind, here are some suggestions that might hopefully start you off on a reading adventure! If you have anything to add to my list, please drop it in the comments section below! 

• Webcomics:
  • "Sheldon:" funny webcomic about kid billionaire and his sassy talking animal friends.
  • "Breaking Cat News:" humorous webcomic about cat news anchors. I liked the random roll the dice button that enables you to see new comics!
  • "Ozy and Millie" snarky fox adventures by the author who wrote Phoebe and Her Unicorn! 
• Epic! eBooks (access via this link and enter class code: kat0251 // scroll down to create a profile by entering your name)
  • `Check out the LMS collection, including Big Nate, Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, Loom Crafts, and more!
• MackinVia eBooks
  • Our library now has access to 1000s of eBooks in Mackin Via.
  • Go to Mackin Via. Enter: St, Francis School / Username: stfrancisschool / password: wolfpack
  • Search by "Categories" on the left sidebar to browse books by topic and genre.

If you have suggestions for books, comics or resources your peers might enjoy drop them in the comments below!