Summer Reading Programs for 2021

 It's summertime, school's are out, and that means it's summer reading time! Summer Reading has been proven to help kids do better during the school year, and today I have complied a list of confirmed summer reading programs (with incentives!) for 2021.

Confirmed Programs for 2021

1. Your Public Library

Public libraries almost always have summer reading programs available with various incentives such as coupons, free books, special recognition, and more! Be sure to check out your local libraries and see if they have a program available.

2. Scholastic Summer Reading

Scholastic has a digital program available this year. All you have to do is register in Home Base, Which is their digital reading program. Then, you maintain a reading streak. The best part is, by keeping a reading streak, you help donate books to underprivileged kids who so not have access to books.

3. Chuck-E-Cheese Summer Reading

Chuck E Cheese has a summer reading program this year as well. All you have to do is keep track of your reading for 2 weeks on their reading calendar, and you receive 10 free play points. Please note that you have to purchase food in order to redeem this prize.

4. Barnes And Noble Summer Reading

If you read 8 books this summer, you can earn a free book at Barnes and Noble! You have to keep track of your reading by writing the book, author, and your favorite part of the book on this digital journal and then show it to a store associate to receive your free book. Please note that there are a select number of books you can choose from (they have excellent selection though) and this program is only open to Grades 1-6. If you have just completed 6th grade or you are going into 1st grade this fall, it still counts.

5. The New York Times Summer Reading Program

The New York Times magazine is also hosting a summer reading program this year, although it is more like a contest. If you read one of their articles, and explain why you enjoyed reading it or why it caught your attention, you will have a chance to be published on their website. They also provide a rubric and contest guidelines.

6. Camp Book It! Pizza Hut Summer Reading

Pizza Hut has a program that offers a complimentary personal pan pizza if you complete a certain amount of reading. Please keep in mind that a parent or guardian has to register for you.

7. TD Bank Summer Reading

If you are Grades K-5, then you can participate in this fun program! After reading 10 books, you get 10 dollars deposited to your savings account!

I hope you end up trying some of these amazing programs. Being a summer reader myself, I can assure you that you will have a fantastic time!

Discover the Magic: Spotlight on Our Book/Author of the Week!

 Hi everyone! This week's featured book/author is The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson.

Photo Credit to amazon.com

Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

This book is about a 12 year old girl named Candice who moves to the fictional town of Lambert, South Carolina to her deceased grandmother's old house. Her grandmother was fired as the first black woman city manager because of an incident nobody will tell Candice about. Throughout the book she is shown to have a passion and love for reading. The boy who lives down the street, shares her same interest which causes them to become friends. One day, they go up to her grandmother's old attic, where Candice finds a box addressed to her, and in it, she finds an old letter. It contains promises of a big fortune for the city and the person who finds it, but there's a catch. She has to solve a series of riddles about the history of Lambert to reach it. She tells Brandon, the boy who lives down the street, and together, they decide to find the fortune.

My Opinion

I loved this book. It had just the right amount of suspense, humor, action, and plot twists! I especially loved it because it was a mystery novel, my favorite genre! While the book doesn't talk about real events that occurred, the fictional events outline some of the most notable issues today, such as discrimination because of culture, and it promotes inclusivity and diversity. I enjoyed the plot twists and the character was very relatable at one point for me because it is shown that she moves from GA to SC.

Age Rating

I would recommend this book for ages 11 and up. It explores concepts such as racial discrimination and violence at some points. One character is also shown to be constantly drinking alcohol and kids should know the dangers and risks associated with alcohol before reading. The parents of the protagonist are shown to be divorced and the reason for that is revealed at the end. To live a better life, a character changes his outside appearance because of the current situations at the time it takes place, and kids should realize that it is important to always know that you were born to stand out, and not fit in! Lastly, there is a love story throughout some of the chapters. Overall, it is a wonderful and entertaining book though!