Summer Reading with Kids

Sadly, when the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer Reading program began in 1984 for kids through Grade 6 I was starting high school. Bummer, since there was a Pizza Hut just down the hill from my high school. Of course, my class got banned from Pizza Hut after a (small) fire accidentally started by a classmate...but I digress. Despite never being a BOOK IT kid, I raised children who annually kept track of their reading and enjoyed their personal pizzas. For a family on a budget, a Pizza Hut pizza was a fun treat. So I know the joys of being the mom of BOOK IT! kids.

And the young readers in your life can be BOOK IT! kids too. Registration opened on May 1 for reading from today through August 31 for Pre-K through Grade 6 students. There's an app (of course). Parents get to set a monthly reading goal for their child. And of course, there are still personal pizzas! Sign up HERE.

QR codes for Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer Reading Program

But BOOK IT! isn't the only game in town this summer!

Who better to run a summer reading program than a book store?

Barnes & Noble is back with their "Read 8 Books and Earn a Free Book" program. It's a fun twist on March Madness brackets. Kids (Grades 1-6) read two books (their choice - books they already own, borrow from the library, or I'm sure B&N is hoping - buy at their store). Then they pick their favorite of the two and can go to the store to pick up a sticker and post their recommendation. You can get more information and print out a reading journal HERE. Participants can redeem their free book from July 1 through August 31 but the books are "while supplies last". Each age group can choose from around 15 titles (in English and Spanish). So if your reader is hoping for a specific book on the giveaway list get your books read sooner, rather than later so they get that book they want.

If you have a middle reader who likes fantasy the Books A Million Summer Reading Warrior club might be a fun choice. You have to read four books from their list (heavy on fantasy series). You can earn a sticker and a popper (sorry, I'm clueless as to what a popper is even though I've seen a photo). But if you are living with a fantasy lover this might be a way to introduce them to a few new series. Get the reading list HERE (although your local store might have some other titles in their store display) and the reading log HERE.

Finally, stop by your local indie book store (you have an indie book store in your neighborhood? I'm SO jealous). Many are launching their own summer reading programs for kids AND adults.

Show me the Money

Earn money for reading at your local bank. Several regional banks throughout the country run summer reading programs. Here in PA it's Mid Penn Bank with an offer for up to $10 deposited in a bank account($1 for each book). Books must be read between June 1 and September 1 by readers under age 15. Check it out HERE.

Last but NOT Least

Of course my favorite summer reading club has always been the local library. The list of titles is endless (or at least it seems that way to a 10 year old) and along with a reading log, your reader can probably sign up for story times, special programs (the reptile visits seems to be very popular at my local library), arts and crafts, author visits and maybe even a party. And there are reading programs for everyone from toddlers to teens.