Summer Reading Programs and Book Clubs for Kids

Summer reading programs at the local library are a great way to get kids to read during summer vacation—something we work-at-home moms love to see kids do. But library summer reading programs are just one of many options, so don’t stop there. There are a variety of free summer reading programs—whether in the form of a club, contest, sweepstakes or giveaway- that encourages kids to read in the summer and all year.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading

Read eight books and receive a free book from a list of specific titles. Download the summer reading journal. When it's filled bring it in to a store to receive the free book. Parents can enter to win a free Nook e-reader when kids turn in their journals.

Book Adventure

This website, maintained by Sylvan Learning Centers, is a reading motivational program that encourages kids to read all year long. Kids can earn points. These points, earned by reading books and completing quizzes, can then be exchanged for prizes.

Books-a-Million Monthly Book Clubs

This bookstore chain doesn't have a specific summer reading program, but it does offer monthly book club resources for adults and kids. Print out the questions for discussion on a new title each month, then read the book and discuss with your kids. Or, use it's resources to help start a book club for your kids and their friends.

Chuck E. Cheese Rewards Calendar

Kids set a goal and achieve it. Then they are rewarded with free tokens for Chuck E. Cheese. Reading is just one of the possible goals. Kids can download calendars to track their progress at getting homework done, potty training, cleaning their rooms, etc. Bring in a completed calendar to receive 10 free tokens.

Half Price Books "Feed Your Brain" Summer Reading Contest

Kids who download a reading log and read 300 or more minutes a month in June and July receive a $5 coupon for each month. They also may enter in a "Top Reader" drawing at one of the store locations in which the price is a $20 coupon.

H.E. Buddy Summer Reading Club

In this summer reading program sponsored by H.E.B. Grocery Company, kids download the summer reading program's log, read 10 books then send it in to receive a prize (a t-shirt).

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Kids log their reading time as they participate in weekly reading challenges, earn rewards and enter sweepstakes. While this summer reading program is designed to encourage whole schools to promote reading (top 20 schools win a prize), kids whose schools are not signed up can participate too.

Showcase Cinema's Bookworm Wednesdays

To receive free admission to a special 10 a.m. showing of a kids movie, kids can bring in a book report to one of the participating theaters on Wednesdays for five weeks in July and August.