Summer Reading Programs for Kids

School is out and summer is officially on its way! That means it is time to enjoy a good book!

Summer Reading Programs for Kids
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While it is important for kids to read some during the summer to keep up their school progress, it is equally important for mom to be able to kick back and enjoy some quality reading time as well. Setting a reading goal with a fun prize is a great way to get the kids reading this summer and give mom some time to herself to read!

To help you and your family with your reading goals this summer there are plenty of summer reading programs available online and around the Atlanta area.


Summer Reading Programs In and Around Atlanta 

Georgia Public Libraries

Every summer the Georgia Public Libraries host a themed reading challenge. This year’s theme is “Ocean of Possibilities.” The libraries are offering prizes for reaching reading goals and online and in-person activities and events.

The Story Shop Story Time – (Monroe)

Story Time at The Story Shop is every Friday and Saturday at 10:30 am. Story Time is a free event, but you will want to stick around and explore the magical Story Shop which has its own wardrobe that opens into Narnia!

The Fox Tale Book Shoppe Story Time – (Woodstock) 

The Fox Tale Shoppe also offers free storytime for kids. The Fox Tale Story Time is on Saturdays at 11 am. The Fox Tale Shoppe is a classic, independently-owned bookstore located in the heart of Woodstock.

The Wren’s Nest – (Atlanta)

Explore history and literature with your children at The Wren’s Nest in Atlanta. The Wren’s Nest is the historic home of Joel Chandler Harris, creator of the famous Brer Rabbit Tales. Known for its amazing storytellers, The Wren’s Nest presents a weekly storytelling hour on Saturdays, allowing visitors to hear the tales in the spirit of their original form.

For the first time this summer, The Wren’s Nest will host a Scribes Summer Camp from July 10-14. Over the course of five days, students will dive into the craft of writing and sharpen their skills in a weeklong workshop led by a professional writer. Each camp day will also feature guest speakers who are writing and communications professionals.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program 

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 books from the books listed in the Reading Journal and collect their free books from a store near them during July and August.

The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club

The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club (MSRC) is a program for children ages birth to five and their families that takes place in various locations throughout the City of Atlanta each summer. Every year, we announce a city-wide book choice for infants and children ages 2-5 to share with their families. They work with direct service programs to distribute copies of the books at no cost to children, and they encourage schools and early education programs to introduce the story and distribute the books to the children they serve. Throughout the summer, libraries, museums, farmers’ markets, child care programs, and other institutions in Atlanta hold “book club reads” to model research-based methods of reading books with children and host enrichment events based on the stories.


Summer Reading Programs Online

Scholastic Summer Reading 

The Scholastic Summer Reading program allows children to track their reading and participate in fun and games online. Children visit Scholastic’s Home Base to read books and stories; attend author events; interact with their favorite characters; play book-based games and activities; join dance parties; and more! (Scholastic guarantees that Home Base is monitored for safety 24/7.)

Junie B. Jones Kids’ Club 

The Junie B. Jones Kids’ Club is a year-round club. Parents can sign their children up to receive a monthly newsletter filled with activities and events along with games and prizes.

Pizza Hut Camp Book It

The summer reading program is called Camp Book It and is open to all families with PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12). Parents set goals, track reading, and reward their students, all in a digital dashboard. After students have reached their reading goal, they will receive a certificate for a free personal pan pizza. The program runs June to August.

Happy summer and happy reading!