Did you ever notice how kids are so eager for summer vacation to begin, but soon after it does, many complain they are bored? That might sound crazy, but it actually makes sense. It's hard to switch gears from nine months of regimented academics to literally having no structure.

Books can help take the boredom out of the lazy days of summer. After all the months of required reading in school, kids want to read books that are fun and interesting, and that's precisely what you'll find in today's reviewed selections.

You hold the key to your child's success in reading. Make it a part of your daily routine and zero-in on books that your child finds really intriguing. With your persistence, it will happen. Don't wait another day.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.

“Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt” by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter Reynolds, Candlewick, 118 pages; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 to 9 and older.Judy and Stink and their parents were on a ferryboat en route to an island off the North Carolina coast. The siblings were very excited, especially Stink, who desperately wanted to meet pirates, look at shipwrecks and find gold and treasure. Stink's enthusiasm was quickly transferred to his older sister, Judy. As they disembarked onto the island, they were met by Cap'n Weevil, a pirate with an eyepatch, a scraggly bead and a treasure map!Judy and Stink couldn't believe their good fortune — first thing tomorrow morning was the start of the Third Annual Pirate Island Treasure Hunt. The first to collect sixteen pieces o' eight would win a pirate gold doubloon and a ride on Blackbeard's own private ship. All Judy and Stink had to do was follow the trail of clues, solve the riddles to collect the pieces o' eight and keep ahead of their competition.Hilarious and brimming with adventure and riddle-solving, this selection is pure fun.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans City

Children's Librarian: Pat Pflug

Choices this week: “If You Give a Pig a Party” by Laura Numeroff;

“Busy Day for a Good Grandmother” by Margaret Mahy;

“Charlie Bone” series by Jenny Nimmo

Books to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005” by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Scott Dawson, Scholastic, 2011, 103 pages, $4.99 paperback; read aloud: age 7 to 8 and older; read yourself: age 8 to 9 and older.Eleven-year-old Barry Tucker lives in New Orleans with his family. When word comes that Hurricane Katrina is heading directly for their city, residents are urged to evacuate. Barry and his family pack up their car and become part of an endless line of cars trying to leave the city. But when Barry's younger sister becomes very ill, they turn around to get medical help.As Hurricane Katrina unleashes its fury and rips the city apart, Barry becomes separated from his family. Floodwaters have encompassed entire neighborhoods, and Barry falls off the roof of his house and is swept away in the floodwater. He is alone, frightened and fighting for his life.An outstanding portrayal of what it must have been like to experience and survive the devastating storm of the century, this selection is packed with important themes of family, courage, survival and love.

“Rain School” written and illustrated by James Rumford, Houghton Mifflin, 2010, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.It's the first day of school in Chad, Africa. The children are on their way, traveling along the dry dirt road. When they finally arrive, their teacher is there but there isn't a classroom or desks. Their first lesson is to build their own school from mud bricks.Once their school is finished, other lessons begin. The children learn all sorts of important lessons until, nine months later, their “minds are fat with knowledge.” School ends just in time for the rainy season to begin, and while their mud school disappears, the children know that come September, they will return, ready to build their school.A fascinating look at how children in another part of the world attend and value education, “Rain School” is at once powerful and delightful.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.