Summer 2009: Summer Reading Programs with a Reward for Kids

Choosing the right summer reading program for your child may encourage your child to voluntarily pick up a book if there is a reward attached to reading. Summer 2009 brings several rewarding summer reading programs to choose from, including programs sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Borders. Both book sellers offer a reward to kids for reading over the summer months. Links to featured summer reading programs are listed in the source section below.

Barnes & Noble's Summer Reading Program: Summer Reading with Percy Jackson & The Olympians
May 26-September 7

Eight books isn't a lot to ask, and that is all that Barnes & Noble is asking your youngster to read in order to qualify for a reward - one free book. The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is geared toward young readers in grades 1 through 6. Parents will need to download a summer reading journal, where the young reader will need to record the title and author of the book, as well as a short sentence about their favorite part of the book. Once the journal is completed with the eight required entries, simply return the journal to a Barnes & Noble before September 7 and the child can choose their free book from the free book list. The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is tied in with Percy Jackson & The Olympians and returning a completed summer journal will gain your child an entry in the sweepstakes to win an autographed copy of a Percy Jackson novel. There is a limit of one free book per child.

Borders/Walden Books Summer Reading Program: Kids Reading Challenge '09
May 26-August 31

Like the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program, the Borders/Walden Books Summer Reading Program also requires young readers to read only eight books over the summer months. However, the reward is more for a parent than the child because unlike the Barnes & Noble program, the reward is a coupon for 50% off select books and drawing kits, not an outright freebie. This program is specifically targeted to children aged 12 and younger and parents can download the Reading Challenge Worksheet where the eight book titles need to be recorded.

HEBuddy Summer Reading Club
Through August 9

Got a HEB nearby? Be sure to sign up for their HEBuddy Summer Reading Club because they offer a nice reward to kids who read over the summer - a HEBuddy T-shirt! Kids of all ages, even those pre-readers, can participate in this summer reading program where only 10 books are required to be logged on the printable sheet, which needs to be completed and mailed by August 9. T-shirts come in a large variety of sizes and are sized from extra small (2-4) through youth extra large (18-20). This year's t-shirt is a bright red.

Don't forget Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese offers 10 free tokens (with food purchase) per child per visit if they bring in a completed Reading Rewards Calendar. This promotion expires 12/31/09, so it runs well past the end of summer. Chuck E. Cheese has a variety of rewards calendars that parents can download and complete to earn free tokens for their children.

Local Libraries may also offer summer reading programs

Don't forget to check out your local library to see if a summer reading program is offered in your area. My local library system, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, offers an excellent summer reading program for the children in our area, which includes a small prize for each 10 books that a child reads over the summer.

Sources:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/
http://www.hebuddy.com/content/pdf/summerreadingclub.pdf
http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_summerreadingkids
http://www.chuckecheese.com/promotions/rewards-calendars.php
http://www.librarypoint.org/