Summer Reading Programs

Step 1. Read any 8 books and record them in the Reading Journal
(PDF).
Step 2. Bring the completed Reading Journal to your local B&N store (between May 22nd and September 4th)
Find a Store.
Step 3. Choose a FREE BOOK from our selection on the Reading Journal list at the store… Enjoy reading!

Technically the Reading Journal starts at grades 1st and 2nd grade, but this is the second year we have completed the journal and neither sales associate has balked at Ryder’s age when redeeming for his free book. As long as the form is completely filled out then they are satisfied. Ryder and I read the eight books together (the majority obtained from the library) and I recorded Ryder’s thoughts in the “Recommendation” section for each book. Simple responses such as, “Because its about the dentist and I wanted to know about the dentist. Good book” (regarding Little Critter Goes to the Dentist, by Mercer Mayer).

Barnes and Noble does not require amounts of time read like the library and many other book programs do, but it does want your kid’s thoughts…er, “recommendations”. Okay, so yeah, free research on their part. Works for me, we get a free book.

Speaking of the “FREE BOOK”, kids are required to choose from the list provided in the Reading Journal. We actually chose a book from the 3rd and 4th grade section last time and this year we went with one from the 1st and 2nd. Again, they don’t seem to mind.

Pros:

• Easy Reading Journal form. Can even be downloaded if you don’t want to grab it for free from the store (its in the kids’ section on a display board)
• No time required, just eight fun books whenever you have time to tackle them
• Big timeline for the program (May to September)
• B&N staff is always helpful and easy going

Cons:

• Limited selection of “FREE BOOK” (but again, you can choose from another age bracket)
• You have to go find the free book in the kids’ section as if you are going to buy it, hunt it down, and take it to the check out with your form. If you can find a sales associate, this is easy. If you can’t and they haven’t easily displayed them in a group of “Summer Reading Books” like last year, then its a bit of a hunt

Summer Reading Program #2:

The Virginia Public Library (and I am sure probably one similar at your city library):

Last year we didn’t get to find out the prize for completing the various 20 minute reading blocks because the form didn’t tell us a deadline. Sadly, we showed up a week late. This year the form is online. Here are the details:

• Program runs from June 18 – August 11 at 5PM
• 15 hours of reading for children and teens or 5 books for adults (yep, parents can enter too!)
• Prizes awarded (a little unclear as to what) and must be retrieved by August 11th by 5PM
• “If you complete additional reading goals, you’ll be entered into raffles for additional prizes including an iPod Nano or Barnes & Noble gift card (ages 6-12), a Kindle Fire (teens) and a Kindle e-reader (adults). Special prizes for ages 5 and under, too!” But it doesn’t say exactly what those additional goals are.

Pros:

• Any age
• Any books
• Local library
• Log is kept online

Cons:

• prizes/meeting those requirements not specific enough
• online log has to be entered the day you did it or I hope they will understand why Ryder and I read 300 minutes in one day…really that was a week’s worth of reading that I didn’t go and log everyday.

Other Summer Reading Programs

Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com/summer/parents/
They have a reading app timer to help older kids consistently read

iVillage, PBS Kids, and Scholastic have joined for this program (ends July 27th)  http://www.ivillage.com/challenges/summerreading/signup

Half Price Books offers $5 gift cards after kids complete 300 minutes of reading http://www.hpb.com/community/fyb/started/

Recent Ryder Readings:

• Scrabbled Eggs Super! by Dr. Seuss
• If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss
• Sammy’s Gadget Galaxy – a Book About Patience by Michael Waite
• ABC USA Illustrated by Martin Jarrie
• Curious George Plants a Tree by Margret and H.A. Rey’s
• The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Chasing Rainbows
• The Big Tooth Mystery by Richard Scarry
• The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoverman, Illustrated by Marla Frazee. This was probably my favorite recently, aside from the Dr. Seuss books. It was funny, rhythmic, and realistic. Sweet ending that made it all worth the craziness. I think Ms. Hoverman is a momma or at least one truly at heart.