Mama Camp at Half Price Books ($3 gift card)

Half Price Books' Feed Your Brain(R) Summer Reading Program brought us back.

Mama Camp's "Big Camper" age 5.75 years is logging 15min reading time per day. After five days he is eligible for a $3 gift card. This can be repeated weekly until July 31, 2009. Download the PDFs of the program info flyer, weekly log and program certificate.

Mama Camp used to be a bigger fan of Half Price books but after unloading over a hundred books, I've learned that their buy back policy isn't worth the effort. You can get more money back if you donate your used books and take the tax deduction.

At the beginning of the year the big camper took his allowance to HPB and found an old beat up Dr. Seuss book, the kind that are mass produced and you can get for less than a $1 if you join a book club. They charged almost $4. I knew we could find the book cheaper, but he insisted, and there went his allowance for the week. It wasn't a rare book and yes, its called HALF Price Books, but they used to be better at pricing books.

Looking for good used book deals? Go to Recycled Reads...their kids books sell for as little as .50 (adult books are more) . Although their hours are limited it is a great place to take the kids to buy their own books, access their free Wi-Fi or make a donation to an organization that supports "Books Beyond Borders". View their blog for deals.

Now if Recycled Read only had hours on M/W/F...