Tips for Summer Reading

Memorial Day is past and for many of you, summer break has begun. Well, good for you. We still have 6 days of school left. We had a great long weekend celebrating my daughter's 7th birthday (the picture above is from our beach trip), but today we had to get back into the routine and finish up school. I'm never sure exactly what they're doing these last few days. My daughter's end of school party is next Tuesday, so remind me again why she needs to go to school next Wednesday?

Anyway, I know that I have a better summer with my kids if I'm intentional about it. I usually make a list of fun things we want to do and try to have a loose schedule for our lazy days at home so they don't turn into "can we just watch one more show?" kinds of days. Reading is a great summer activity that also helps fight against the summer slump. Here are some ideas for keeping your kids reading this summer.

Reading Programs

• Check your local library for summer reading programs.
• Scholastic has an online summer reading program.
• So does Barnes & Noble. (Kids can earn a free book!)

Reading Recommendations

• This blog, of course! You can find books organized by age and theme on the side bar. Or check out my Pinterest page.
• Indiebound has a Kids' List of book recommendations from independent bookstore owners.
• Look at your child's school website. Many of them have recommended reading lists for the grade your child will be entering.
• There are lots of great reading blogs. I recently found a good one called Everyday Reading. It has book recommendations for both kids and their parents.
• Lots of libraries have book lists based on age or theme that you can find in the children's or teen's sections. Or you can even ask a librarian.
• The New York Public Library has a list of 100 Great Children's Books.

Reading Activities

• Visit the library (often!).
• Browse a bookstore. If you can, give your kids a small allowance to spend on books.
• Have a read-a-thon. Save this for a day when everyone's burned out from too many summer activities. Or in our case, for hurricane watch days when we're stuck inside.
• Keep a reading journal. Keep it simple: use a lined note book and write down the title, author, and what you liked or didn't like about the book.
• Have independent reading time, even for your kids who just look at the pictures. Literacy starts early.
• Choose a fun book to read together. My early reader and I take turns reading a page each. I'm excited to start the first Harry Potter book with her this summer.
• Choose a book that you read aloud as a whole family.
• Read local. Find a book that is set in a nearby place. When you're done reading, go visit the place.
• If you're taking a road trip, buy or borrow an audio book that everyone can listen to.
• And last but not least--bring a book! If you're going to the beach, going camping, or having a picnic, bring books and read them.

What are your favorite summer reading resources and activities?