Summer Reading Programs

Books open new worlds to children. This summer encourage your child to cultivate a love of reading with these incentive programs from local libraries and businesses! 

Note: This list may not be reproduced online or in print without permission from KC Parent. If you have additions to this guide, email kristina@kcparent.com.

Library Summer Reading Programs:

Reading and listening to books and stories will open children’s minds to the fun of adventure with "All Together Now" the theme of the 2023 Library Summer Reading Programs across the Kansas City area.

Mid-Continent Public Libraries

Mid-Continent Public Libraries Summer Library Program: All Together Now June 1 - Aug 24 Summer is just around the corner, and we’re going to spend it celebrating kindness. The Summer Library Program encourages families to spend at least 20 minutes a day reading or engaging with literacy. Readers will log each day that they read to receive a daily reading badge. When readers aged 0-19 complete 20, 40, and 60 days of reading, they will earn a prize book from their local branch. Readers who are registered in Beanstack and log 60 or more days will also be entered to win a Grand Prize. MCPL Branches will award a Grand Prize in each of three age categories: 0-5 years, 6-12 years, and 13-19 years. Adults aged 20+ can earn prizes, too! All adult readers who log 60 or more days will earn a prize.

Johnson County Libraries

Johnson County Library Summer Reading Program: June 1 - July 29 The Summer Reading Program is an initiative that aims to promote reading and literacy to children, teens and adults. Each summer, Johnson County Library offers programs and events connected to the Summer Reading theme, which this year is All Together Now. The theme is chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program and adopted by libraries across the country. Summer Reading books will be distributed at each library branch this year during the month of June only. Branches will begin offering one free book per family member beginning June 1st and concluding June 30th. We will also host an All Together Now youth sticker and writing contest. All entries will be submitted online and judged by teens, with the assistance of Library staff.

Olathe Public Libraries

Olathe Public Library's Summer Reading Program: May 22-Aug 4 Join us for challenges, programs, and prizes for all ages. Log your reading this summer and earn a free book! Come back to this page after May 22 to register for the challenge. 

Kansas City Kansas Public Libraries

Kansas City Kansas Public Library Summer Reading Program: June 1 - July 31 Pre-register for the program starting on May 15th! Pre-register online via Beanstack or pick up a paper log at your local library branch. June 1st-July 31st: Read and log your books! Join us 'All Together Now' with our Summer Reading Program! Readers of all ages are invited to participate by logging your books, pages, or minutes read, and completing activities to earn prizes!

North Kansas City Public Libraries

During North KC Public Library Summer Reading Program, kids (birth-5th grade) are encouraged to read and log minutes to earn rewards. Complete five logs (2 hours each). For each log you complete after log 5, you'll earn a chance in a raffle drawing. 

Bonner Springs Public Library

Sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Program starting May 30! Complete your Bingo Board and return it to the Library for your prizes by the end of July!  Bonner Springs Public Library Reading Program.

Cass County Public Library

From June 1st to August 1st, kids, teens, and adults can earn books and other prizes at their local Cass County Public Library branch. Whether it’s reading books, listening to eAudiobooks through Libby or hoopla, or checking out DVDs, patrons of all ages can earn prizes. 

Additional Summer Reading Programs:

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Kids can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a free digital destination that offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7. www.scholastic.com/summer/

Sylvan Book Adventure

Ongoing free reading incentive program for K-8 students. They read books, take a comprehension quiz and earn points. They redeem points for prizes. www.bookadventure.com/home.aspx