There are plenty of fun summer reading programs to keep kids reading all summer long. Here are several for your little bookworm to enjoy!
Bookstore Programs
- Barnes & Noble — Kids read any eight books, log them in a reading journal, and earn a free book, from a pre-selected list, when they turn in the journal to any Barnes & Noble location. The program runs May 19 to September 7. Go here to download a reading journal (PDF).
- BookPeople — BookPeople is offering a free summer reading program for young readers going into grades K-8. How to get started: Stop by BookPeople to pick up a summer reading bookmark for your reading level. (Bookmarks will be available in early June.) Hang onto this, because it’s also your reading tracking form that you’re going to use all summer, and turn in to the store before school starts. What you get to read: A list of six recommended paperbacks per age group. Choose at least three of these recommended books and up to three books of your own choosing – for a total of six great books – to read over the summer. Check out the list of books right here. (603 N. Lamar, Austin)
- Half Price Books — Kids in 8th grade and under: Read 15 minutes a day for a month in June and July. (Grown-ups may read aloud to kids who are still learning.) Use this reading log, add up your minutes and have your parent or guardian initial each week. Once you’ve reached 300 or more minutes, bring your log to your local HPB to claim your Bookworm Bucks. Be sure to head to the Biggest Storytime of Summer on June 7 at 2 p.m. at a Half Price Books store near you. High School: Read a book each month in June and July and write a short review. Skip the reading log and bring your review to your local HPB to claim your Bookworm Bucks. To find a store near you, visit the HPB website.
Library Programs
- Austin Public Library — Austin Public Library’s SRP’15, Summer Reading Program 2015, encourages you to sign up and set a reading goal for the summer. Complete your reading goal and select a prize book of your choice. That’s right, you earn a free book just for reading! The program runsJune 8 through August 23. How can you participate? Pick up a Reading Log at any APL branch locations, or print one out at home. The front of the log is where you’ll record your reading list. Flip it over and you’ll discover 16 free and fun activities you can enjoy to make sure your summer is action-packed! Also, be sure to grab a My Favorite Character sheet and drop it off at the library to display. In addition to a summer full of great reading, the library will also have loads of fun things to do, beginning May 30. There are programs for youth of all ages, from toddlers to teens. See event listings for dates and times.
- Bee Cave Public Library — It all starts at the Kick-Off Party on June 6, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Get signed up to participate and receive your summer reading book bag. The rest of the summer will feature programs for kids, teens, and adults. Read books, win prizes, enjoy performances, craft days, and more. (4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave)
- Cedar Park Public Library — The Cedar Park Public Library, in conjunction with the Texas State Library, is proud to present the 2015 Summer Reading Clubs: “Every Hero has a Story” for kids, “Unmask” for teens, and “Escape the Ordinary” for adults. The Library’s Summer Reading Clubs run from June 8 through July 31 and are open to all ages. The programs begin on June 8 with a Scholastic Book Fair, sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Park Public Library. The book fair will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 8 and 9, with special guest Clifford the Big Red Dog, who will be available for visits and photographs from 10 a.m. to noon during the Book Fair. To participate in the Summer Reading Club, simply sign up at the Cedar Park Public Library beginning on June 8 and receive a reading log. For each 10 minutes of reading (or listening to) a Cedar Park Public Library book, the participant marks off one symbol on their reading log. For every 200 minutes kids read, they earn a colored cut-out to display in the library’s window and special incentive awards and coupons! Teen prizes are earned for every 300 minutes read.
(550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park) - Georgetown Public Library — The Summer Reading Program will run June 2 to August 4. Join the library on June 2 at 10:30 a.m. for a kick-off party with a juggler and refreshments. You may register for the Summer Reading Club during the kick-off, or you may do so the next time you come to the library. (402 W. 8th St, Georgetown)
- Kyle Public Library — The Summer Reading Program will begin June 8. Check the library calendar for updates. (550 Scott St, Kyle)
- Laura’s Library — Pick up your reading log at the Summer Reading Kick-off Party on Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. There will be mini horses, a bungee trampoline, a performance by The Que Pastas, and more! (9411 Bee Cave Road, Austin)
- Lake Travis Community Library — Join the library for the 2015 Summer Reading Program Kick-off on Saturday, June 6 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Celebrate the start of summer with Tiny Tails to You baby animal petting zoo, the Nowhere Men Beatles cover band, and Hola-Hola! Spanish Story Time. Have your face painted, enjoy refreshments, make crafts, and pick up your summer reading log. (1938 Lohman’s Crossing, Austin)
- Liberty Hill Public Library – Participate in the library’s Summer Reading Program from June 6 to July 25. Don’t miss the free kick-off event on Saturday, June 13! Visit Facebook to see all the fun summer events planned. (355 Loop 332, PO Box 217, Liberty Hill)
- Pflugerville Public Library — The Summer Reading Club will run from June 7 to July 25. Reading logs will be available on June 1. The program is for kids, teens and adults. There will be special events all summer long as part of the summer reading program. (1008 West Pfluger Street, Pflugerville)
- Round Rock Public Library — While reading this summer, why not count your hours and earn prizes June 10 to August 10? Kids ages 0-12 can register for the Children’s Summer Reading Challenge. Teens ages 12-18 can register for the Teen Summer Reading Challenge. Connect with an online reading log (beginning June 1), win prizes, and check out free performances and programs. Be sure to attend the family Summer Reading kick-off event on June 10. Joe McDermott will perform a free outdoor concert at 10 a.m. in Prete Plaza! (216 E Main Ave, Round Rock)
- Wells Branch Community Library — RSVP to join the library for a Summer Reading Kick-off Party with Lucas Miller on Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. Visit the Kids & Teens page for updates on summer programming. (15001 Wells Port Drive, Austin)
Online Programs
- Scholastic Summer Challenge — Kids from birth to age 12 can log their reading minutes, earn prizes, and take part in an attempt to read for the world record! The program runs May 4 to September 4. Visit the website to register for this free program.
- Book Adventure by Sylvan — Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read! Kids in grades K-8 can search for books, read them offline, come back to quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading success.
- New York Times Summer Reading Contest — Each week, June 12 through August 14, teenagers age 13 to 19 years old are invited to choose any piece (article, photo, video) in The New York Times and write to tell why it interested them, whether they loved or hated it. The blog will choose a weekly winner to feature.
Other Programs
- Chuck E. Cheese’s — Download a Reading Rewards Chart, have kids read every day for two weeks, and redeem the chart for 10 free tokens. You must purchase food to get the free tokens.
- H.E.Buddy Summer Reading Club — Starting June 1, pick up a form from H-E-B, log ten books, and mail the form in to get a free t-shirt! You can also download a copy of the form. The H‑E‑Buddy Summer Reading Club is intended for children who are residents of Texas and between the ages of 3‑12.
- Pottery Barn Summer Reading Challenge — 2015 information is not available online yet.
