Friday, June 1, 2012

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Summer Reading Programs in Central Texas

Summer is here!!  I am not a big stickler on much during the summer with one exception.... READING!!!

Luckily, my kids enjoy reading, so it is not too much of a battle in our home to get them to do it. On days that we are home, we set a time that we all curl up on the couch and read together.  I love it to, as I get more books read over the summer this way.

And we always take advantage of our local summer reading programs. Who doesn't like to get a prize for doing something they already enjoy?

There are a lot of great opportunities to get your kids in a program here in the Central Texas area.  Check out these fun Reading Programs:

Austin Public Library has an easy program - sign up online or at the library, read, and record your books in a reading log.  Turn in your completed log between July1 and August 26 to receive a free book!  They also have a ton for free events beginning June 10 for all ages.  Check out their program here.

Cedar Park Public Library's Program, begins on June 4th at their sponsored Scholastic Book Fair.  Each participant reads and records a reading log. For every 200 minutes of reading, your child will receive a colored cut-out to display in the library's window and special incentive awards & coupons. Find out more here.

Georgetown Public Library has a fun program as well.  On June 4th, the Impact Dance Company will perform a Wonderland performance to kick-of the summer reading program.  Children can sign up for the Texas Reading Club which encourages kids to practice and improve their reading skills.  Readers get small incentive prizes throughout June & July and there is a grand prize at the end of July for all kids who have completed their reading logs! Read more about it here.

Pflugerville Community Library wants you to be ready to "Get a Clue...at the Library".  Children keep track of time spent reading in a log in 20 minute increments.  Children are rewarded for hour milestones with a reading incentive.  There are additional planned events, such as story times, crafts, family programs, and performers.  Click here to learn more about it and download your reading log.

Round Rock Public Library's Summer Reading Program is called "Get A Clue...at your library." Your child can set goals and earn books and prizes for reading 5, 10, 15, or 20 hours between June 4 and August 6.  They are also providing special events - movies, read-a-loud programs, crafts, and free performances, such as a kick-off concert with Joe McDermott on June 4. Click here for more details.

Additionally, BookPeople in Austin is offering a fun programs as well. In their "Carpe Librum! Seize the Summer, and Seize the book!" program, BookPeople is asking kids to read 6 books over the summer.  At least 3 from a provided reading list (per grade level) and 3 of your own choosing.  Your child is provided a bookmark to keep track of their reading. Once completed, turn the bookmark in before August 30th to collect your reward and post your name on their wall of Summer Reading Stars! The Schools with the most Summer Reading Stars will win an additional prize.  Click here to access the complete lists of summer reading picks per age group.

And H.E.B.'s H.E.Buddy Summer Reading Club asks you to read 10 books, log them onto a provided reading log and mail it in by October 1 to get a cool prize packet mailed to you. So easy!  Download the form here.
Many of these programs have incentives for teens and adults - so get the whole family reading together!

2 comments:

Lisa @ Gone with the Family said...

Summer reading programs are a great idea! We've always done our own version where the kids set a goal for summer reading and then get a prize if they meet their goal.

Rustown Mom said...

This has been of my favorite things forever - my kids have loved reading over the summer. i even got my 13 year old to agree to do it this year - score! We go to the Millwood branch of APL. Didn't know you could sign up on-line so thanks for that info!