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As a kid, I LOVED summer reading programs. My childhood library had a great program – I remember it had a pamphlet one summer with various landmarks about every 10 books read, and once I reached a landmark, I could bring in the pamphlet and get a little reward. I was highly motivated by those little rewards. Reading on its own is fun, so reading for rewards? Even better.
It’s almost summer break, and I wanted to share some of the summer reading programs my boys have loved over the years and continue to love.
Book It!
If you grew up in the 1980s-1990s, this program is probably near and dear to your heart. Did anyone else keep their Book-It! badges? I loved earning those star stickers to take to Pizza Hut and eat my personal pan prize. Ahh, memories. The program has changed a bit since we were kids, so let me give you an overview.
The program is for Pre-K through 6th grade students. This year the program is moving away from a web-based program to an app. The Book It! app is currently available on App Store for iPhone users and will be available soon on the Play Store for Android users.
I can’t speak to the app yet, since the Android version isn’t available to explore yet, but in past years, kids would need to read for 20 minutes a day for 20 days out a month. No need to enter book titles or authors, just move the little icon for each day read. Once 20 days were completed, you could click on “get my coupon” and a coupon for a free personal pan pizza would be sent to the email you used to register your children. The coupon usually lasts for a month before it expires.
Barnes & Noble
This program is for 1st through 6th grade students. B&N has a summer reading journal to track progress. Children read 8 books, recording the title, author and their favorite part of the story. Once they have finished reading 8 books, they can bring their journal to a Barnes & Noble location between July 1 and August 31 to receive a free book from pre-chosen selection.
We have discovered it’s best to go as close to July 1 as possible when the prize book selection is fully stocked vs. waiting until the end of August when books may be more limited.
Also, if your kid likes a book from a different grade than the grade they’re in, it’s fine to pick a book from another grade level.
Direct link to B&N reading program here.
Books-a-Million
This program requires the least books read to earn a prize, if that is of interest to your family. Kids need to read 4 books shown in an in-store display, fill out a book log and then turn in the book log to a store employee to earn a free hat.
Library
Most libraries offer a summer reading program for kids. The program at our library has children track their progress, either by minutes read each day or by book. You can track books on a printed paper or on a website. Once kids reach so many points at the end of the program, they can choose a free book (from a pre-chosen assortment) as well as receive a prize bag. The prize bag usually has various fidgets and little toys, as well as a free kid’s meal at a fast-food restaurant like Wendy’s, Zaxby’s or Fazoli’s.
How to Stack Summer Reading Programs
We usually stack our reading, so if my boys read for 20 minutes, we’ll count it toward any program we can fit it in. I would say their favorite program they do is Book It!. It’s hard to compete with pizza.
Which summer reading program are your kids most excited about this year? Share in the comments!
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