Just because school will be out for the summer doesn’t mean reading should stop. Reluctant or voracious, or somewhere in between, your child will love receiving rewards and treats offered by these local and national reading programs. Sign your child up early and READ!
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Triathalon
- Opening Ceremonies at Barnes & Noble stores on Saturday, June 4, 2016
- Print out a reading journal and answer three of the four questions
- Bring your reading journal to Barnes & Noble between May 17 and September 6, 2016 to receive a free book from the list.
- Locations in Chicago, Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Deer Park, Evanston, Geneva, Joliet, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Oak Brook, Orland Park, Schaumburg, Skokie, Vernon Hills, and West Dundee
- Barnes and Noble also has a Kids’ Club that offers members a discount on a single item, a birthday treat, and a loyalty program.
Book Adventure, sponsored by Sylvan
- Register online
- Take quizzes based on the books you read
- Earn points to be used toward prizes like temporary tattoos, ebooks, or a magazine subscription
- Visit a local BAM website for a list of the 2016 approved reading list
- Bring the form to your local Books a Million location when you’ve read 4 books on the list and receive a Camp Half-Blood tote bag
- Locations in Aurora, Chicago, and Chicago Ridge
Chicago Botanic Garden: Summer Nature Explorer: Reading and Activity Program
- Sign up at the Lenhardt Library and receive a stamp for every book you read
- Receive prizes when you receive 5, 10, 15, and 20 stamps
- Runs from June 4-September 5, 2016
Chicago Public Library Summer Learning Challenge
- The Chicago Public Library program usually runs from early June to early August; details of this year’s program are not yet available
Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Reward Calendar
- Print out a Reading Rewards calendar (or any of the reward calendars)
- When two full week’s has been marked off, bring it in to Chuck E. Cheese for 10 free tokens
Education.com: Do-It-Yourself Summer Reading Camp
- 10 weeks of themed reading activities for you to create your own reading camp
Half Price Books: Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program
- Download a reading log and bring it in to the store
- Receive HPB Bookworm Bucks when you read 300 minutes in one month
- High school students can also participate; no need for a reading log, just read one book from the recommended titles for teens and write a short review
- Locations in Algonquin, Bloomingdale, Countryside, Highland Park, Naperville, Niles, Orland Park, Palatine, Rockford, and Schaumburg
Meatheads: Voracious Meatheads Reading Program
- Download and print a reading program certificate
- Read 5 books and receive a little meathead burger
- This summer’s reading challenge offers free printables and book activities
- Free Story Time events at stores on Tuesdays from 11:00-11:30 am
- Become a book club member and receive a prize after attending story time five times
- Locations in Chicago, Deer Park, Oak Brook, and Skokie
Random House: Got to be Junie B. Kids’ Reading Club
- Register online to receive a parent newsletter by email
- Download printables, including a membership card and reading log, sticker sheet, and activity book
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge: “Be A Reading Superhero”
- May 9 through September 9, 2016
- Online registration and reading log
- Earn virtual badges and downloadable book chapters by logging minutes and completing weekly challenges
- Link to your school (optional) to track total minutes read by the student body
You can also visit your local library to find out about their summer reading programs.
What is your favorite summer reading program?
