When we read books such as E. B. White's tender "Charlotte's Web" or George Selden's adventurous "The Cricket in Times Square," our brains naturally react by creating responses and meanings.

In the process, we also use helpful reading strategies: combining concepts with text to create new ideas; identifying key information; analyzing; drawing conclusions and other processes you may or may not be aware of.

Researchers have identified some playful activities that can reinforce these strategies. Teachers call them "independent reading response activities." They help to reinforce the content and meaning of a book, and can be particularly useful for elementary- and middle school-age readers.

The activities encourage readers to develop and obtain pleasure, fluency, involvement, insight, appreciation and initiative — a great benefit to summer reading.

Start with a good book, perhaps a Caldecott or Newbery award-winner or classic — consider Roald Dahl's deliciously naughty "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory," Lemony Snicket's sardonic "The Bad Beginning," or Christopher Paul Curtis' daunting "Bud, Not Buddy." Read it, and enjoy it.

Then jot down your impressions and reactions. Make notes on your ideas, predictions, questions and conclusions, and also on the book's content: key information, quotes, settings and actions.

Gather up some basic craft supplies such as colored construction paper, index cards, colored pens, colored pencils, scissors and glue. Keep the book on hand so you can look back at what you've read.

Then try one of these activities. When you're done, share with family and friends.

Favorite part: Illustrate the most exciting part of the book on construction paper. Include an entertaining explanation.

Bookmark: List key points of the plot on an index card. Flip it over and explain the conclusion. Put a hole in it and thread a piece of yarn through it to use as a bookmark.

Post card: Send away your thoughts about a character on an index card. Identify actions, speech, characteristics and inner thoughts that reveal the personality of a main character. Add your own conclusions.

Letter to the author: Write about your favorite parts of the book and ideas you liked. Include questions and comments about the writing process. Decorate with a border around the letter that matches the theme of the book.

Book news: Pen an article about who, what, where, when, why, and how with a headline. Illustrate the most suspenseful part of the book, and write a caption.