Summer is great for catching up on all your reading. With schools letting out for kids across the country, it’s also a great time to introduce them to some new books. 

Here are 3 great stories recommended by Education World:

• Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows (Ages 6-10)Seven year old Bean prefers to spend her time splashing through puddles, climbing over fences and pestering her older sister Nancy. Ivy is studying to be a witch, and has a lot of reading to do. The last thing she wants is to get involved with Bean. The two would seem to have nothing in common until Bean gets herself in trouble, and Ivy unexpectedly comes to her rescue. 

• The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary by Candace Fleming (Ages 8-12)The school’s worst class is about to get a surprise: their new teacher Mr. Jupiter. The short chapters are filled with typical fourth grade antics, each one drawing a parallel to Aesop’s fables. Filled with plenty of humor, the stories offer life lessons and are a refreshing modern take on the classic fables.  

• Trash by Andy Mulligan (Ages 12 and up) In an unnamed third-world country, three boys make their living sifting through the city’s sprawling trash heaps. When one of them finds a strange bag, their lives are changed forever. It’s up to them to solve the mystery of the bag and right a terrible wrong, all the while trying to stay a step ahead the sinister forces that have suddenly taken an interest in them. 

Encourage your kids to keep reading this summer. It will keep their skills sharp for the next school year.

Summertime. You’re kicking back on a beach chair, the gentle ocean breezing softly caressing you. After a hectic schedule during the winter months, it’s finally time to relax and catch up on all the good books you’ve been hearing about. 

Here are five great summer reads to fit almost any tastes.

• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is the story of Jacob Jankowski, a young medical student turned desperate circus performer. Trapped in a nursing home, a 90 year old Jacob recalls the joys and agonies of his life, drawing the reader into the Great Depression era world of ringmasters and elephants, sideshows and conmen.

• Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King.The acclaimed horror writer returns with his latest tale about a disturbed killer who’s tasted the thrill of murder and mayhem and is longing to try it again. Only a retired cop with demons of his own stands in the killer’s way. (June 2014 release)

• Panic by Lauren Oliver.From the New York Times best-selling author comes Panic, a story of a dangerous, high-stakes game played by the jaded high school students of a forlorn small town. Panic has already been sold to a major Hollywood studio, and hopes to become the next Hunger Games.

• Stardust by Neil Gaiman.The popular fantasy author takes the reader on a magical journey with Tristan Thorn, who sets out to capture a fallen star for his beloved. Along the way the young man will discover an enchanted world far beyond the simple country village he’s known. 

• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Gone Girl is a darkly suspenseful thriller about a missing socialite, a marriage gone wrong and sinister secrets coming to light. When events start unraveling, it turns out the perfect couple might not be so perfect after all. 

Whatever your taste, pick up a good book and enjoy. Summer reading isn't just for kids.

Dad, Daddy, Pop, Papa, Father - Whatever you call him, this Sunday is a day to honor him. It is his day to shine and be in the spotlight. Create a simple or super celebration he will remember, or give him a gift he will treasure.

Add Zest to Your Father’s Day Celebration

If you're planning The Great Daddy Event of the Year, start his day with a hardy “Good Morning”and treat Dad to breakfast at his favorite cafe. Take him where he can show off his family with button-busting pride. After that, head to the golf course (or bowling alley) with those special shirts you had imprinted with “World’s Best Dad”and “Son/Daughter of World’s Best Dad”. Then, it’s time to end the day with a fun and relaxing outdoor family event. Get the family together and bike, ride, walk, or run to his favorite nature spot. Lay out the plastic tablecloth, paper plates, and Styrofoam cups and enjoy his favorite picnic goodies while you watch the stars come out.

Gifts That Say “You Are Special, Dad”

Family photographs are a great gift. Make a memory book; it just takes a bit of creativity mixed with great family photos and captions. Add children’s’artwork and items that recall a special event, whatever you can find. Dad’s Memory Book will be a special treasure.

The greatest gift you can give Dad is time. So mark your calendar. Set aside the third Sunday in June to spend with him. Let him know you appreciate and love him. Make this Fathers’Day one he will remember forever.

We all wish we had more money in our savings accounts. But how? You want to save more but there isn’t any extra money in the budget. Here are some creative ways to add to your savings when you can.

Extra Cash

You may have extra cash you did not think you had. Take the cash from rebates, tax refunds, and bonus checks and add to your savings. You always have change rattling around in your pocket or purse. Create a change jar and watch the coins pile up. Nickels and dimes add up to dollars and dollars add up to increased savings. Some banks even have a machine you can use to put your coins in, to make an automatic deposit to your savings account.

Trash or Treasure?

Have a garage sale. You've heard it said that one man's trash is another man's treasure. Sell everything you haven’t used, worn, or looked at for 6 months. To get more people, have a neighborhood sale. Still have unused gifts or a door prize? Turn them into cash by selling them online or at a consignment shop.

Reduce Spending and Add Cash to Savings

Groceries can be a major expense item. Make a grocery list before you go and stick to it. You can save money by shopping at discount grocery stores and don’t forget to use coupons. Take advantage of the reward points available at some grocery stores to purchase gas. The few dollars you save in the grocery budget will be a little more you can add to savings.

So gather up all those nickels and dimes, cash in that bonus check, and plan that garage sale. Get started adding more money to your savings account. Saving even small amounts will add up.

Laughing just feels good. When you laugh really hard, tears may fill your eyes and your stomach may hurt, but it stills feels good. Laughter is fun. Probably some of your best memories are of you and your friends or family laughing together. You always remember a funny movie or a really good joke that made you laugh out loud. Laughter brings joy to your life.

Is laughter the best medicine?

Scientists have shown that laughter is healthy. When you laugh you have more energy and you breathe better. A good belly laugh is the same as 10 minutes of exercise. Laughter can also strengthen your immune system and keep your blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check.

What are you worried about?

When you laugh, you think about the good things in your life and you gain confidence that helps you solve problems. If you feel nervous or unsure in a situation, humor can relieve the tension. Ouch, you just hit your finger with a hammer or stubbed your toe, try to laugh. Your body is designed to deal with pain and laughter is the key. Feeling tense or nervous? Can’t relax? Relieve that stress by watching a funny movie or a comedy show on TV.

Humor and laughter can improve friendships. People want to be around a happy person; they want to feel good about themselves and the world. So if you want more friends, laugh more and share that laughter with others!

Laughter is contagious; when you laugh, others will laugh with you. So smile, laugh, giggle, or chuckle, and share that good feeling.

Sometimes people think that Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor the same people. But while Veterans Day recognizes the living veterans who have served their country in uniform, Memorial Day is to honor the soldiers and members of the military who gave their lives as sacrifices for their country's freedom.

Honoring Those Who Died in War

On this day, communities often celebrate with parades. Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the American Legion plan special celebrations to honor their fallen comrades. The song “Taps” is typically played at the gravesites of the soldiers during these occasions.

Flags, Flowers, and Concerts

It’s common to see American flags hanging in parks, in public places, and even mounted on parking meters in the town’s business section! Sometimes the U.S. flag hangs at half-staff in memory of the fallen soldiers. It's a tradition for the President of the United States to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Families who have lost loved ones in the nation’s wars take a wreath, or bring flowers to place on the graves of their deceased relatives. Outdoor concerts may feature bands playing patriotic songs by composers like John Philip Sousa.

Memorial Day Fun

Memorial Day was originally celebrated on May 30, but then the date was changed to the last Monday in May so that the day would be part of a three-day weekend.

This holiday is traditionally regarded as the beginning of summer fun, when people enjoy cook-outs, going to the pool, and spending time outdoors.

But in the midst of having fun, it’s important to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform, who gave their lives so that all the things that we value and cherish as Americans can continue to be enjoyed.