Summer Reading Opportunities

“Find A Book” for Summer Reading!

To encourage children and families to read independently throughout the summer, MetaMetrics—an educational research group—offers the FREE, research-based tool “Find a Book” to help students create a personalized reading list and then locate those books at the nearest library or bookseller. Use “Find a Book” to build custom book lists for readers at all ability levels, and then locate your selections at your local public library.

1. Go to fab.lexile.com.
2. Enter the child’s Lexile measure of grade level.
3. Pick books that match the child’s interests.
4. View and refine the search results.

Ready to get started?

• Download a two-page flyer (in English or in Spanish) to share with students and parents.

Summer Reading Challenge Certificate

REACH is a self-paced interactive reading program to engage parents and children as at-home reading partners. Designed by classroom reading specialists and aligned with kindergarten through third grade standards, these self-paced interactive lessons are enjoyable for all ages.

Visit REACH

These videos and activities provide families with information about how to support children as they practice foundational reading skills at home. These Family Activities include easy-to-follow plans to help you support your child’s foundational reading skills at home. You may want to start with the first activity and move to the next when you notice that your child has a firm understanding of the content from that activity. Family Literacy Videos show families engaging their child in the Family Activities. The key points about the videos can help you know what to focus on for a specific activity.

Visit Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home

Overdrive enables kids, their families and caregivers to borrow and read free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from their local library using a phone or tablet. Depending on the device and operating system being used, Libby is a helpful app that provides access to the same content with a different navigation experience.

Visit OverDrive

Storyline Online (K-5) is an award-winning children’s literacy website which streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books aloud alongside illustrations. The website also includes activity guides for parents and caregivers to complete lessons with students at home.

Visit Storyline Online

American Reading Company is offering free access to some books for students and families.

Visit American Reading Company

This site includes lessons, videos, apps, and tools, along with a limited set of resources that can be used offline. These resources are carefully curated and sourced from the site’s education partners. The website is easy to navigate, and the resource descriptions clearly explain how each resource can be used

Visit Wide Open School

Did you know that 60% of U.S. children living in poverty don’t have a children’s book in their home? Join us for 100 Days of Reading. Just read with your child and log your minutes. You’ll raise awareness about the lack of books and resources kids face across America, while supporting our work in improving literacy and changing lives.

Visit Save the Children

It’s easy to participate in Reading Without Walls! Just find something new and different to read — and let the books open up the world around you.

What can YOU do to read without walls?

1. Read a book about a character who doesn’t look like you or live like you.

2. Read a book about a topic you don’t know much about.

3. Read a book in a format that you don’t normally read for fun ­ — a chapter book, a graphic novel, a book in verse, or an audio book.

Visit the Reading Without Walls website to learn more about the challenge (and don’t forget to download the Activity Kit).

Visit Reading Without Walls

To help increase reading time during the summer months, BOOK IT! sends weekly emails with summer reading activities for kids. Sign up for their summer emails!

Visit Book It!

Audio books are a wonderful way to expose your child to complex language, expressive reading, and fantastic stories. Listening to audio books also gives kids the valuable and enjoyable experience of using their own imaginations to visualize the people and places they’re hearing about. Here, you’ll find guidance on what to look for in choosing audio books as well as listening tips.

Visit Reading Rockets

The Start with a Book Program offers families and caregivers lots of engaging books and activities for getting kids hooked on reading, exploring and learning science, social studies and arts & literature all summer long — and beyond.  Each free topic toolkit from Start with a Book builds on what young children already like — dinosaurs, building, animals, sports, superheroes and music — so that families and caregivers can have fun and interact meaningfully with children while helping to strengthen their reading skills.

Visit Start with a Book

Summer Reading Tips to Go! Text Messaging Service in English or Spanish

Visit Start with a Book: Text Messages

Reading programs that encourages readers to share their thoughts on the books they read. Kids are invited to read books and share their book reviews. The top 10 reviewers will win a book prize pack, the next 25 top reviewers will win a $10 gift card.

Visit DOGObooks

For families who want to keep their children’s education growing over the summer but are worried about being able to afford it, here are free online summer camps to keep your child’s mind active and to continuously expand their knowledge.

Visit Summer Camp Hub