When the flowers burst forth in color and Spring fever has school kids squirming in their desks, families like Stephanie King’s gear up for an annual Library tradition, the Summer Break program. 2023’s Summer Break – Adventure Awaits is filled with fun activities inside and outside the Library for all ages. Stephanie and her third-grade daughter are eager to begin – Isabella with prizes in her sights, and Stephanie looking forward to enjoying more books, and seeing both of her daughters reading, learning, and having fun.
“If you read at least 15-20 minutes in one day, you get one point. Then do an extra activity, like going on a hike, and that’s another point. Two points in one day! It’s really easy – and I love getting surprised by the prizes they give you when you along the way. Some kids don’t realize how easy it is. It’s really cool!” says Isabella with a grin.
She and her mom (a special needs teacher at Lake Local Schools) are usually at the Lake Community Branch at least once a week. On this May evening, they’re here for a parent/child book club, which her big sister, Ellie, used to do too. Now, the 16-year-old reads a lot for school, but the books aren’t often ones she would choose. Stephanie looks forward to Ellie reading just for herself, “It’s an extra incentive to read every day. Everyone loves the prizes. It brings more people into the Library from school, that you wouldn’t otherwise see over the summer. It definitely engages the kids more and helps to combat the summer slide in skills.”
Last year, Isabella found new books to love when the Library gave some away as prizes.
“I got three books. My favorite was Because of Winn-Dixie, which I read later for school too.”
Getting in the habit of reading 15 to 20 minutes a day made it easier to tackle bigger books as well.
“I’m reading the Harry Potter books now…They seemed too big at first, but when you try to read a little each day, you realize you CAN read big books with practice. Then you discover books you like, maybe even get into a series. Now I can’t stop reading them!” says Isabella excitedly.
“My parents, who live with us, also read a lot, so I’m going to see if we can sign them up too,” says Stephanie.
“I feel like I will go much faster than her!” says Isabella, with a challenging look at her mom, who laughs at her serious expression.
Either way, it’s not a race. Choose what you like (there are many non-reading activities too), tally your points, and you will win prizes along the way.
Whoever reaches 40 points, earns the maximum number of raffle tickets to put in for the ultimate grand prize drawing. There are high-value prizes for each age group!
There’s nothing to lose (it’s FREE), but everything to gain! Join Stephanie’s family, along with your friends and neighbors of all ages in revving up for a Summer of fun! Register now for the Summer Break program online or at any Library location. Make sure to also check out the fun events to kick off the adventure too.
We’ll be cheering for you as you tally points all the way to the checkered flag in early August!
