Summer Reading

Reading has always been a huge part of my life. My mother is an avid reader and during my childhood summers my mom and I read a lot together and alone. During the school year it can be easy to have daily reading but during the busy summer days it may not always be easy to keep little ones eager to read. 

I want both of my children to keep their love for books and reading and summer reading programs are a great way to help them keep that love over the summer. There are many ways to help children read over the summer. 

Barns and Nobles has a reading program


Their summer program is simple:
1) Read and track 8 books on their down loadable journal.
2) Take the completed journal to a Barnes and Nobles book store.
3) Chose a free book from their selection of books.

Easy right! and who doesn't want a free book?

Scholastic is one of my favorite places to purchase books, not only does my family get great books their classroom also receives books. Their summer program is about tracking minutes and trying to beat the previous years record. You log on, register, and then log your reading minutes.


Sylvan sponsors a free website called Bookit Adventure. This website allows K-8 grade students to create an account and then take quizzes based on the books they read. Children pick their book choice, read it, and then log in to take a quiz. Kids can earn prizes based on their reading progress.



When I was a kid I participated in Pizza Hut's summer reading program. You logged all your books and you turned in your log for a free personal size pizza. Pizza Hut does Book It programs through out the school year but some Pizza Huts still offer summer reading programs. Check with your local Pizza Hut to see what they offer.

One of my favorite places to go to for summer reading programs is your local library. Libraries usually host a summer reading program or challenge and is a great way to keep the love for books going through the summer. We participated last year and for every 10 books you read you got a prize. The program was a lot of fun for my little ones especially the kick off party the library had at the start of the program.

If you want to do your own reading program during the summer there are many ways to do that as well. Create charts and award prizes. Turn books into to "cash" and allow children to visit places during the summer with their book cash. Compete with another family member, or another family all together and the winner gets to pick a play date location and time. 

There are many ways to enjoy reading through out the summer. What ever you chose just make sure you make reading an important part of your life even through the busy days of summer.