What is Book Adventure?

Book Adventure (started in April 1999) is a free K-8 reading motivation program that is sponsored by Sylvan Learning, Inc. It allows children to create their own personal book lists from more than 6,000 recommended titles. Online multiple choice quizzes on the books they have read offline allow them to earn points and prizes, most of which are reading-related. The program can be administered from school or home.

Where can I find out more about Book Adventure?

The Book Adventure Website (access either address: www.bookadventure.com or www.bookadventure.org ) is a fun, user-friendly site for young readers, parents, and teachers. The home page of the site explains what Book Adventure is about and is a springboard for many Book Adventure pages, including Kids Zone, Parents Place, Teachers Lounge, and Team Locker Room. Each of the linked pages contains more useful links to book lists, quizzes, educational games, free “printables”, and other related sites. Two characters, Rex Reader and Bailey Bookmark, help guide you through the site as they share relevant information. Kids can register as school and/or home users. Rex and Bailey help new users begin to develop personal booklists based on their interests, grade and reading levels. (The site, thankfully, is pop-up free.)

Pros and Cons of using Book Adventure

The Last Word...

While Book Adventure may not have a booklist extensive enough (at the present time) for a large school, it certainly would be an effective alternative to AR for smaller public and private schools, home schools, and for supplementing AR in larger schools. Used as a home reading program, it can serve to unite parents and children in a love and appreciation for reading. One final point, the Book Adventure program can allow a child to enjoy reading without the pressure of competing with classmates, as is commonly the case with Accelerated Reader (AR).