Many of our local libraries are announcing their 2020 Summer Reading programs for children, teens and adults! Quarantine and teaching from home were challenges and motivating my kids to do "extra, fun" reading was very challenging. We know from research that kids can experience a "summer slide." “Summer slide” is the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Given the summer slide and COVID-19, I really want to encourage my kids to do a summer reading program. Giving your children access to books over the summer is a great way to beat the summer slide. Just 20 minutes out of each of those long summer days is enough to mean starting off the next school year in a much better position. Now, I am all for a relaxing and fun summer for my kids, but 20 minutes a day is completely doable. If your kids are like mine, though, they need a little incentive to get those minutes in. Here are some ideas to get your kids to read, read, read!
Let them get their own library card, let them choose their book topics, and encourage them to participate in your local library's summer reading program. There are so many wonderful programs listed below and many offer great incentives for children who persevere all summer and reach their summer reading goals!
Our local libraries are AMAZING and their summer reading program line-ups are even more amazing this summer. Don't count out your local libraries and what they have to offer your children of ALL ages, including you moms and dads!
Avoca Branch Library-Bristol
1550 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN, (423) 968-9663
Facebook @avocabranchlibrary
3030 Franklin Terrace, Johnson City, TN, (423) 952-5577
In the reading log, your child will need to record the title and author, along with their favorite part of eight books to get their free book.
Participation is a fun and easy way for kids to earn free books. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part in our Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from the books listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them.
This year, Barnes & Noble has expanded the program to include teens and adults. Every Barnes & Noble store in the country has been refreshed with brand new summer signage and displays, designed to highlight the must-read books of the season, with many available at incredible discounts. The goal is to make sure that Barnes & Noble is the ultimate destination for everyone in the family to find the perfect summer read at the best possible price.
Bring the reading journal into your local Barnes & Noble between August 1, and August 31. The Barnes and Noble summer reading program (#BNSummerReading) for kids gives kids a free book when they read 8 books over the summer. Visit Barnes and Noble summer reading program to download and print a reading journal or visit the Johnson City location to pick up a hard copy journal.
The journals are available in English and Spanish. Fill out the student information on the bottom of the first page of the journal. A parent must sign on this page in order for the child to get a free book.
In the reading log, your child will need to record the title and author, along with their favorite part of eight books to get their free book.
2116 North Roan Street, Johnson City, TN, (423) 915-0112
Kids can get a free pencil case with pencils this summer with the Books-A-Million summer reading program. The kids must read 4 of the qualified books, fill out a journal form to show which ones they read, and return it to any Books-A-Million store.
701 Goode Street, Bristol, Virginia 276-821-6153
2019 Children's Summer Reading Program
Facebook @bristolpubliclibrary
Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards
3020 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN, (423) 282-3069
Chuck E. Cheese has a summer reading program where kids can earn free 10 Chuck E. Cheese tokens for reading each day for 2 weeks.
Greeneville Public Library
210 North Main Street, Greeneville, TN, (423) 638-5034
Church Hill Public Library, 412 East Main Blvd., Church Hill, TN, (423) 357-4591
Facebook @ChurchHillPublicLibrary
H.B. Stamps Memorial Library, Rogersville, 407 East Main Street, (423) 272-8710
Facebook@hawkinscountylibraries
Instagram @hawkins_county_libraries
Surgoinsville Public Library, 120 Old Stage Road, Surgoinsville, TN (423) 345-4805
Facebook @SurgoinsvillePublicLibrary
Johnson City Public Library
100 West Millard Street, Johnson City, TN (423) 434-4450
There are things that signify the beginning of summer: the last day of school, humidity, lightning bugs, and (best of all!) your library’s Summer Reading Program. Summer Reading is an annual nationwide program that encourages people of all ages to spend their summers reading as much as possible. People register with their library and set reading goals for themselves, then spend the summer tracking their progress and winning prizes.
https://www.jcpl.org/summer-reading/?fbclid=IwAR0hnQLDc2p7nkWn2iug3OXsG-w-HQFYM3vG6OvkPwwlkcZWZ6gyJnmjGW4
Instagram johnsoncitypubliclibrary
219 North Church Street, Mountain City, TN (423) 727-6544
Kingsport Public Library
417 West Main Street, Morristown, TN, (423) 586-6410
Sullivan County Public Libraries
1655 Blountville Blvd., Blountville, TN, (423) 279-2714
Facebook @sullivancountylibrarytn.org
201 Nolichucky Avenue, Erwin TN (423) 743-6533
Facebook @UCPLKids
Washington County TN Libraries
Facebook @wcpltnmain
Register online at www.wclibrarytn.org or at the Jonesborough or Gray Libraries.
Visit their Facebook page for a detailed summer reading schedule.
Registration is open for our children's summer reading program! Download the Readsquared app or go to http://wclibrarytn.readsquared.com/ to register online! Follow along on the Washington County Public Library Children's Page here: https://www.facebook.com/wcpltnchildren/!
Washington County VA Libraries
We’ve got a story walk set up outside our Main library in Abingdon that families may enjoy. Just follow the signs to enjoy a story outside together!
Join us this summer and share the excitement of a good book.
Facebook @washcolibrary
