Summer Reading Adventure program under way

School might be out, but the reading continues. [FCPL]

The Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading Adventure program, running June 23-Sept. 2, is aimed at encouraging children to keep reading all summer long so, they’ll be ready to succeed when the new school year starts.

The program includes rewards and incentives to make reading fun. To participate, register online or visit a library branch.
The Summer Reading Adventure calls for children in third grade and younger to read 15 books (or have books read to them). Fourth through sixth-graders are expected to read 10 books, and teens in grades 7-12 would read five books.

Participants can read any book they choose. They can even read free e-books or listen to audio books or books on CD, which are all available from the library.

Kids and teens can track their reading progress online or with a reading log they pick up in any Fairfax County public library. Suggested authors are listed online for each grade level, with links to the library’s online catalog.

Participants who finish reading the required number of books by Sept. 2 can go to a library to pick up a coupon book with a variety of free prizes and discounts from more than 25 businesses and organizations. Teens who complete the challenge will also be entered in a drawing for a gift card prize.

Programs like this couldn’t happen without the support of the all-volunteer friends groups. Friends of the George Mason Regional Library donated $50,000 to the Summer Reading Adventure, the Friends of Kings Park Library donated $7,500, and the Fairfax Library Foundation donated $17,000.

The Summer Reading Adventure also includes special events and contests for children and teens. Library events are listed here; see the events tab in the Annandale Blog for library events in the Annandale/Mason District area.

A cover art contest for teens is under way, too. Rising seventh through 12th-graders are invited to redesign the cover of a book they love and drop off their artwork at a local library, submit it via email to [email protected], or mail it to FCPL/Art Contest, 1200 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035. The deadline is Aug. 5.

The winning artwork will be featured on bookmarks available at libraries during Teen Read Week (Oct. 8-14).

There’s also an essay and poetry contest for rising seventh, eighth, and ninth-graders co-sponsored by the For Love of Country Foundation. The theme is “What does ‘fair and equitable’ governing mean in a democracy?” Entries are due Sept. 2. Visit a library for more information.