Get your kids learning during the summer with this year’s summer reading programs. Many libraries across the region celebrate books with special events, contests and prizes. Children and adults can join the summer reading fun. Here are just a few to look for this season.
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Build a Better World summer reading program begins on June 3. Complete more than 8 and 16 hours of reading to earn prize raffle entries, along with the grand prize raffles at the conclusion of the program. Win meal cards, books, local sporting events tickets, movie passes, Playhouse Square event tickets and more! Visit cuyahogalibrary.org for more details on how to register.
Mentor Public Library
Kids can earn a free prize by building this summer. If they complete 10 of 20 recommended activities before summer reading ends on July 30, they’ll get a bonus gift from the library. Everyone — kids, teens and adults — who participates in the library’s summer reading program has a chance to win prizes. Those prizes include gift cards from local businesses, tickets to the Great Lakes Science Center and Cleveland Botanical Garden, as well as passes to Lake Metroparks Farmpark or the City of Mentor’s pools and ice rink. Also, kids can come to Make-It Mondays at 1 p.m. in June and July at its Main Branch. Kids will build with a different material each week. Call 440-255-8811 or visit mentorpl.org.
Medina County district Library
In the Summer Reading Game: Build a Better World program, read or listen to someone read to you for at least 20 minutes per day in order to count your reading for the day. After 10 days of reading, visit any of the Medina Library branches to claim a prize from the treasure box. Participants can claim another prize after 20 and 30 days of reading! For teens, grades 6-12, every three hours read, spin the local prize wheel! Find out more at mcdl.info.
Need some book suggestions for your children and teens? Check out these great reads:
Preschool to Early Elementary
Treat
By Mary Sullivan
Learn the many things a dog does in order to get a treat to eat in this light tale that’s filled with humor.
— Summer Reading List 2017, ala.org
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle
By Steve Breen
One day Benny the woodpecker awakens to the best tummy-rumbling smell ever and discovers it’s something called waffles. He has a brilliant idea to get a taste of this breakfast treat.
— Recommended by Joyce Bigam, Children’s Services Coordinator at Cuyahoga Falls Library, cuyahogafallslibrary.org
Ada Twist, Scientist; Rosie Revere, Engineer; and Iggy Peck, Architect
By Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
All three books demonstrate how kids can explore and even create their own worlds. They also advise parents on how to encourage their child’s interests. Most importantly, the books are fun to read and look at.
— Recommended by Jason Lea from Mentor Public Library, mentorpl.org
Elementary School, 3rd-5th Grades
A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans
By Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Mary GrandPré
A story about dragons with a twist: Miss Drake (the dragon) has a new human pet, Winnie. However, Winnie seems to think the opposite, that Miss Drake is her pet. Who’s right?
— Summer Reading List 2017, ala.org
The Story of Diva and Flea
By Mo Willems, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Diva, a small yet brave dog, and Flea, a curious streetwise cat, develop an unexpected friendship in this tale of discovery.
— Recommended by Joyce Bigam, Children’s Services Coordinator at Cuyahoga Falls Library, cuyahogafallslibrary.org
Fort
By Cynthia DeFelice
Friends Wyatt and Augie spend an unplugged summer in the woods, building a fort and protecting a disabled boy from bullies.
— Summer Reading List 2017, ala.org
Middle School
Me & Miranda Mullaly
By Jake Gerhardt
Three boys all try to gain the attention of the same girl and become rivals in this hilarious tale of misunderstandings.
— Summer Reading List 2017, ala.org
The Last Boy at St. Edith’s
By Lee Gjertsen Malone
Jeremy is the only boy left at St. Edith’s after the school’s brief experiment in coeducation. With help from his friends, he pulls funny pranks in hopes of getting kicked out with minimal damage to his permanent record.
— Great Books for Kids” from Cuyahoga Public Library, cuyahogalibrary.org
Cici Reno: #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker
By Kristina Springer
Seventh grader Cici Reno likes to give out relationship advice. Her BFF, Angie, is too shy to talk to the guy she is crushing on, so Cici tries to help, but she starts to fall for the guy herself.
— “Great Books for Kids” from Cuyahoga Public Library, cuyahogalibrary.org
