SummerReading - 1
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 "Adventure Begins at Your Library" and "Telling Tales" are the themes of the 2024 Library Summer Reading Programs across the Kansas City area.
Johnson County Libraries June 3 - July 29
Adventure Awaits! Your adventure begins at Johnson County Library this summer! Check out our EVENTS (and more!)listed in this Guide and stop by any Library location to pick up your READING LOG and a FREE BOOK starting June 3. You can also get a PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE to discover more adventures to be had at the Library, at home and across the metro area this summer! (Free books while supplies last. Downloadable reading logs and even more details can be found at jocolibrary.org/summerreading.) And, check out many Summer Reading events, including the Summer Reading Launch Party on June 1.
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 Adventure Begins at Your Library. The theme is chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program and adopted by libraries across the country.
Download your guide to Johnson County Libraries Summer Reading Program & Events.
Mid-Continent Public Libraries June 1 - Aug 24
Gather around the campfire. No matter who you are, we know that you have an amazing story to share! Mid-Continent Public Library’s 2024 Summer at MCPL program, Telling Tales, celebrates sharing and reading stories of all kinds. Kids and adults can also earn rewards and win prizes for daily reading and attending Library programs.
Summer at MCPL begins June 1st and will run until August 24. Summer at MCPL 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 will also be eligible to earn prizes from our community partners.
Adults aged 20+ can earn prizes, too! All adult readers who log 60 or more days will earn a Summer at MCPL: Telling Tales commemorative glass.
Olathe Public Libraries May 20-Aug 4
The theme for the 2024 Olathe Library’s Summer Reading Challenge is, Adventure Begins at Your Library! A reading challenge sponsored by Beanstack. We challenge all readers in our community to read and log at least one book during the summer. Sign up to participate and get included in random drawings every week. Earn fun badges for logging your reading and attending programs.
Kansas City Kansas Public Libraries June 1 - July 31
Your adventure begins this summer at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library with the summer reading program for kids and teens! Read books to earn prizes and entries into our grand prize drawing. Log 500 minutes total during June and July to win free books, a prize pack, and entries into our grand prize drawing. Adults can participate, too! Read 6 books, 1,050 pages, or 1,200 minutes to earn a library-themed tumbler and a $5 coupon towards library book sales. Registration starts May 15th, and the program begins June 1st. Learn more at www.kckpl.org/summer-reading
We will also be kicking off the summer with a big party, and you are all invited! Join us at Boulevard Drive-In at 7 p.m. on May 30th for a free showing of Sonic the Hedgehog. Pre-show entertainment includes bubbles, video games, a summer reading sign-up, and a book giveaway with local author Brandon Todd. Each car will receive a free copy of his book Bright Star.
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 May 28 - June 27
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:
Pizza Hut Camp Book It
Camp BOOK IT! is open to all families with PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12). Parents set goals, track reading and reward their students, all in our digital dashboard. BookItProgram.com/programs/camp-book-it
Barnes & Noble
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 book from the books listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them during July and August. BarnesAndNobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge May 9 - Sept. 12
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/
Chuck E. Cheese
Keep their bookworm skills strong with this reading rewards chart for kids. The more they read, the more rewards they can earn. ChuckECheese.com/activities-and-downloads/
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
Half Price Books
Get ready to hit the road during Summer Reading Camp! BW is taking a few friends (and more than a few books) on a reading road trip. Want to come along? The fun starts June 1, but register below today and keep an eye on your inbox for updates. www.hpb.com/summer-reading.html
Books-A-Million
Read four books to win a free water bottle. Information here: BooksAMillion.com/summeradventure