"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."—Groucho Marx
Every year, half a bajillion local libraries offer incentive-based programs designed to get kids reading during the summer. While the aim is a good one, we've been consistently frustrated with the quality of literature and the general lack of direction. Instead of complaining about those, however, we're proud to announce we've created our own recommended reading list for grades 1-12, complete with great books and a program offering prizes to kids who participate.
The Outside a Dog Book List offers approximately 50 titles for each grade. Our list doesn't promote a liberal agenda, cater to the lowest common denominator, or present books designed to make anyone look smart. A lot of the books are classics, but just as many are Exodus Books staff favorites, designed to open the wide doors of reading to kids turned off by more standard fare. We think many of these books are a great place to kindle a love of reading, but we certainly don't want anyone thinking these are the only books to read. The only books to read are ones you buy at Exodus Books (just kidding).
Contest Dates:
June 1–August 31, 2013.
Who Can Do It?
Any student grades 1-12. Younger students may also enroll, but the booklist starts at first grade. You DO NOT NEED TO BE LOCAL. You can download the booklist via pdf, and you can email us your completed book logs. Only local customers will get the bound booklist unless you want to pay for shipping.
Cost:
$5 per participant. Download a copy of Outside a Dog (PDF) and a book log for each student (feel free to print more). Registered participants will get 20% off the retail price of new books from the booklist from June 1 - August 31. If you choose to sign up online, please include each child's name and grade in the order comments. If you have more questions, please give us a call at 503-655-1951.
Basic Rules:
- Read at least three books from Outside a Dog (grade level or above). Each participant who does that will receive one $5 gift certificate to Exodus and one entry into the grand prize drawing (prize TBD).
- High school students need to choose one fiction book and one non-fiction, the third book is their choice.
- Parents need to verify that the books were indeed read.
- We will provide a book log to record titles read, authors, book rating, and place for parents to initial. Keep track and turn this in to Exodus before August 31.
- Keep reading, and you'll have more chances to win. Each book read beyond the first three nets you an additional entry to the grand prize drawing. These books must be selected from Outside a Dog or anywhere on our website, provided they are recommended for the student's grade level or above.
Prizes:
We're still figuring out actual prizes, but we have determined how they will be awarded. If you would like to contribute prizes or help sponsor gift certificates, please give us a call.
- Everyone who reads 3 books from their grade level booklist (or above) will receive a $5 gift certificate to Exodus.
- All kids in grades 1-6 who read 25 books will get a second prize.
- For grades 1-6, there will be one grand prize for most books read.
- Kids in grades 7-12 who read 5000 pages will get a second prize.
- For grades 7-12, there will be one grand prize for most pages read.
- Finally, there will be one grand prize random drawing taken from all participants who have read three books or more from Outside a Dog or our website. The prize drawing will be on the second Friday of September.