Let the Reading Countdown to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Begin!

Let the Reading Countdown to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Begin! Literacy Expert Suggests Ways to Get Kids Reading Now Before the July 16th Launch of Harry Potter VI NEW YORK, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The six month countdown to the launch of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has officially kicked-off, and millions of children and adults are anxiously awaiting the newest fantasy adventure. But what can kids and parents do to help make the time go by faster? According to Scholastic literacy expert Francie Alexander, "Children shouldn't wait until July to read a good book. If they start now, they have six months to brush-up their reading skills and prepare for the big read. Children who love the fantasy of Harry Potter, can find other great books with thrilling adventures." (Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050124/NYM054 ) The countdown to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a great opportunity for parents and teachers to encourage kids to read more books. Studies show that children who spend more time reading, will become better skilled and lifelong readers. According to National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) findings from the U.S. Department of Education, "one of the strongest indications that children are developing the skills and positive attitudes that lead to a lifelong desire to read is the amount of reading they choose to do for fun." The study found that children ages 9-17 years-old who read for fun at least monthly scored higher reading scores than those that never read for fun. In anticipation of the July 16th launch of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Scholastic editors compiled a special month-by-month list of new and acclaimed fantasy/adventure books for children to read over the next six months that will keep kids reading until the big Harry Potter release: Harry Potter Countdown Reading List: February 2005 - The Dark Hills Divide: The Land Of Elyon by Patrick Carman An extraordinary new debut novel that weaves fantasy, magic and heroism into a classic tale of good and evil. This first book in a trilogy, and already a bestseller, tells the tale of an inquisitive twelve-year-old, Alexa Daley, who spends her summer in the walled town of Bridewell solving the dangerous mystery of what lies beyond the walls. Alexa undertakes an adventure to uncover a mystery of the outside Land of Elyon, even though it could destroy everything she holds dear. March 2005 - Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke Cornelia Funke, who has thrilled children nationwide with her critically acclaimed novels The Thief Lord and Inkheart, has created yet another best- seller Dragon Rider, which tells an enchanting tale about a dragon, a sidekick and an orphaned boy named Ben who are on a mission to find the mythical rim of Heaven, and turns into a battle for survival. April 2005 - The Cry of The Icemark by Stuart Hill (debuts in March 2005) An exciting debut novel by British author Stuart Hill, The Cry of The Icemark is being hailed as the next BIG epic book (next to Lord of the Rings) to arrive in the U.S. The Icemark is a kingdom in grave danger and its fate rests on the shoulders of one girl, a thirteen-year-old princess and intrepid warrior, Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the Arm Lindenshield, who must defend the kingdom she loves ... at all costs. Stuart Hill was founded by Barry Cunningham, who first discovered Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling in the U.K. May 2005 - Charlie Bone and The Invisible Boy By Jenny Nimmo A successful fantasy series filled with good and evil characters each with their own special powers. This third story of the series continues at Bloor's Academy, where there are new changes at the school -- a new art teacher, Mr. Boldova, and a new student named Belle, who seems to have strange powers. Emma and Charlie Bone begin to uncover the mystery behind Mr. Boldova's secret identity and the invisible boy who lives in the attic of Bloor's Academy. *New Charlie Bone and The Castle of Mirrors debuts in June 2005. June 2005 - Re-read your favorite Harry Potter book by J.K. Rowling Take time to re-read the magic of one or more of your favorite Harry Potter books including: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. July 2005 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling Get ready to celebrate and read at midnight on July 16th, 2005! Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school- based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, http://www.scholastic.com/. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050124/NYM054 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Scholastic Corporation CONTACT: Press Contacts, Sara Sinek +1-212-343-6899, ssinek@scholastic.com, or Kris Moran, +1-212-343-3789, kmoran@scholastic.com, both of Scholastic Corporation Web site: http://www.scholastic.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment