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2023 Summer Reading Programs for Erie Kids and Teens

Local and national reading programs give kids reason to read this summer

By Kara Murphy May 28, 2023

Avoid the summer slide by keeping kids reading this summer! Do they need some outside motivation to crack open that book? Check out these 2022 summer reading programs -— enter one, or all!  





Erie County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge

June 12-Aug. 12, 2023

Register for the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge at any Erie County Public Branch Library or the bookmobile.

Erie County readers of all ages can register for the Summer Reading Challenge. Participants can complete the challenge by reading for a minimum of 12 hours, documenting local activities they’ve attended this summer, and writing book reviews of their summer reads.

Participants may log their time spent reading or listening to written material in any format. This includes books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, graphic novels, and comics. 

All participants in each age category will be eligible for a prize drawing on August 16. There will be grand prize drawings for each age category at each Erie County branch location!  

Find out more information about the Erie County Public Library Summer Reading Challenge.





๐Ÿ“šWQLN's Summer Reading Race

July 1-July 31, 2023

WQLN Education invites all children who have just completed K-5th grade to participate in its annual Q-Kids Readers Summer Reading Race! Readers will be divided into three categories: grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. The 3 readers from each category with the most time spent reading will receive a gift basket filled with summer fun, including a gift card to Barnes and Noble! Logs are due by Aug. 3. Link to book log link coming soon!


Get FREE printable bookmarks from Macaroni KID!





๐Ÿ“šBarnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal

July 1-Aug. 31, 2023

Kids in grades 1-6 can earn a free book by participating in Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Program. To qualify follow these steps:

1. Read any eight books this summer and record them in your Summer Reading Journal. (Get the Summer Reading Journal Guide in Spanish!)

2. Explain which part of the book is your favorite, and why.

2. Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between July 1st and August 31.

3. Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured in the journal!





Pizza Hut Camp BOOK IT!

June-August, 2023

Parents of students in PreK through sixth grade can enroll in Pizza Hut's Camp BOOK IT for the summer. Kids can earn personal pan pizzas once a month for meeting reading goals. Find out more and enroll in Camp BOOK IT now.