BJU Press Blog

reading program

Library Card: Your Passport to Summer Reading Adventure

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summer reading
If you’re like me, you’re getting ready to pack away the school books and enjoy a well-earned summer break. Family vacations, camp, swimming lessons, play dates, later bedtimes, vacation Bible school, and the Fourth of July are just a few of the activities we all have to look forward to.

Time for Summer Reading

One of our family’s favorite summer pastimes is participating in our local library’s reading program. What could be better than stretching out in the sun (or in a nice air-conditioned house) with a good book? Or a pile of good books for that matter? A summer reading program is an excellent opportunity for kids to develop reading habits and continue to learn new things. It also encourages them to set realistic goals by keeping track of how much they read. They can do this by logging their hours or books online or by filling a chart with stickers that the library provides.

I always enjoy watching my daughters’ excitement build as they add stickers and get closer to reaching their goals. And as kids complete so many hours or books, they earn a small prize; for example, a pencil for every five books or five hours spent reading, a medal for the next five, a coupon for a free food item for the next five, and so forth. If a child finishes the reading program in due time, they’ll receive a bigger prize. But for me, the best reward is seeing my girls grow in their love for reading and develop greater reading comprehension. The more they read, the more they learn; and the more they want to learn, the more they want to read. It’s a beautiful cycle!

Time for Fun

Besides the reading program, libraries also offer many fun educational events throughout the summer. Our family has experienced a petting zoo, seen a professional juggler, participated in a puppet show, and even met a real beaver belonging to one of our own “next-town” neighbors—all at our local library! Many of these shows have piqued our daughters’ interest in certain subjects and encouraged them to check out books related to them. This further stimulates their love of learning and reading.

Time for Outreach

Most importantly, these library events provide good opportunities to meet other families in the community for potential gospel outreach. Your family can be salt and light before your local librarians too. Conversations about reading, school, and your children may lead to spiritual topics. We should always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks the reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15).

So as you start filling out your summer calendar, remember to include a library reading program. Books are waiting to be read, imaginations are ready to be kindled, and souls may be prepared to hear the good news of salvation.

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Jennifer is a pastor’s wife and mom of two young girls and loves being able to homeschool them. During her own twelve years of homeschooling, Jennifer developed a passion for reading and writing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and relishes writing during her free time.

Ready, Set, Read!

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The BJU Press Summer Reading Program has begun! In celebration of its launch, we spoke with Nancy Lohr, acquisitions editor for JourneyForth, about the Summer Reading Program and topics related to reading. Nancy, an avid reader herself, has also worked as a classroom teacher and a children’s librarian in the past. Below is a portion of the interview.

image of the 2014 sumnmer reading logo

What is your goal for the Summer Reading Program, or what would you say is its purpose?

The BJU Press Summer Reading Program is designed to give parents a manageable and effective way to keep their children reading through the summer months. Research shows that children can lose ground educationally during the summer months, and parents can minimize or eliminate this loss by establishing a pattern of leisure reading at home. Reading contests and programs can be notoriously difficult for the parent or teacher to execute, so we’ve designed our program to promote regular reading for children—we’re asking for reading five days a week for eight weeks during your summer—with a minimum of paperwork for Mom and Dad and taking into consideration the varying skills and interests of the children who participate. This gives families time for vacations, summer camp, and family activities while still making reading a priority, which in turn advances reading skills and fosters a love of reading.

Do you have some suggestions or encouragement for parents of reluctant readers?

If you as parents know why your child is reluctant, then you have some idea of where you need to focus your efforts.

Maybe you need to start the summer with an engaging read-aloud for your family. This could be the fanciful My Father’s Dragon or the poignant Stone Fox or . . . you get the idea.

Help your child select books appropriate to his or her skills. Scour an anthology or your library’s catalog to find something that is engaging to your child and suitable for your family, or talk with your local children’s librarian for ideas. Get recommendations from the readers in your world. Try cooperative reading with your child, taking turns with paragraphs or pages or with each of you reading the words of specific characters. Or one of you signal the other when you are ready to handoff to the other reader. Some children like to reread books; that’s just fine. Who doesn’t like to spend an afternoon with an old friend? Reading skills are strengthened even in rereading. Consider why that book is your child’s friend, and then look for books that are similar in some way.

If your child has adequate reading skills but doesn’t like to read, then it may be that he or she just hasn’t found a home-run book yet. Reading fiction may not be your child’s cup of tea, so look for nonfiction that will answer questions or deliver information. It may be that a book about combustion engines or the Smithsonian Magazine can satisfy your child’s need to know. Use the summer to find the kind of reading material that scratches the reading itch for your youngster.

Do you have a reluctant reader in your home or classroom? What have you done to motivate that child?

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