Summer reading challenge
Avoid the Summer Slide! Without access to summer learning resources, kids fall behind.
A study of students in Baltimore, MD showed that kids without access to books over the summer were behind their peers during the next school year. And as years passed, the effect accumulated. By the end of 5th grade, kids in need were nearly three years behind their peers in reading skills.
Our program seeks to engage and inspire youth to develop a lifelong love of reading through a structured and engaging Summer reading challenge. By providing access to diverse and culturally relevant literature, along with incentives and community support, we aim to combat the summer slide and empower youth to thrive academically and beyond. Youth are challenged to read at least 5 books during the Summer.
We want to thank the Sacramento Literacy Foundation for selecting and funding our Summer Reading program for the second year.
program registration
Register your youth ages 7-13 for our Summer Reading Challenge. We will have weekly check-ins on Zoom Wednesdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm and Monthly in-person meetups on the 1st Saturday of the Month from 9:30am-11:30am. Registration for 2025 opens April 1st.
Participants have the chance to win prizes for reading books and opportunities to network with other youth and community members.
resources
Summer Reading Challenge Resources
- Book List (pdf)
- Reading Log (pdf)
- Book Report Form (8-10) (pdf)
- Book Report Form (11-13) (pdf)
- Library Locations
- Get a Library Card Online
literacy Resources
- Sacramento Literacy Foundation’s June 2024 – August 2024 READER (pdf)
- Six Pillars of Literacy (pdf – english and spanish)
- Sac Library Summer Reading Challenge
- Sac Library Reading Lists
- First Book Summer Reading Lists
- Booksmart – Free Books
- PBS Kids Reading Games
- Oxford Owl Free Kids eBooks
- Scholastic Kids Homebase
- Free eBooks for Kids
- Free eBooks List for Kids
- Free Reading Fluency Training Drill
sponsors
We want to thank all of our 2023 & 2024 sponsors, donors and community partners that helped support the program outside of our Funding from Sacramento Literacy Foundation.
- Safeway
- Costco
- Smart & Final
- Melanin Day School Academy
- Black Child Development Institute
- Jean Hilliard
- Monique Temple
- Felicia Armelin
- Shirkeri Badger
- Asali Darden
program highlights
Orientation Jun 1, 2023
https://youtu.be/IZAIlJTdwW4
Week 1
https://mcusercontent.com/88a742e30384169958ea78b12/files/6ce2b991-02c1-8860-59ca-6bff6d2b44a2/SRC_Week_1_Ready_Set_Read_.mp4
Week 2
https://youtu.be/8JGsP97MM-Y
Week 3
https://youtu.be/OMBRM_JgYbE
July Monthly Meetup
https://youtu.be/-5bT0B803Rw
Week 5 & 6
https://youtu.be/0IW459wbxag
Week 7
https://youtu.be/rLvQpsY6u34
Week 8
https://youtu.be/SyomrDGz3VQ
August Monthly Meetup
https://youtu.be/-bx8Ovl5UQQ
September Monthly Meetup
https://youtu.be/zuK80A4T0Eo
Yes, I really loved the connections she made with the others & the mental health component of the check-ins/sharing. It helped my daughter by being in a safe space to express her emotions, thoughts and ideas with her peers.
Talina HuttonParent/Author
It was great watching my niece and nephew grow in their reading skills and seeing them get excited about choosing their books.
Larrisa Poree
I enjoyed the program very much. In encourages us to do more reading this summer. My daughter also enjoyed the weekly check-ins and in-person meetings as well.
Nakia PorterParent/Educator