There are some great summer reading programs that your children can take advantage of to earn FREE books and other prizes!
Here is a roundup for programs available to families in Minnesota!
AudioFile SYNC – Teens age 13 and up can download two audiobooks each week for FREE.
Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination – This summer reading program through Barnes & Noble gives your child the ability to earn a FREE book after reading 8 books and keeping track of them in a reading log. View and download the reading log here!
Half Price Books – For kids and teens! Kids 14 or younger who read 15 minutes per day and reach a total of 300 minutes can claim Bookworm Bucks. Have your child take their completed reading log to their local store to earn Bookworm Bucks before the end of summer (see website for updates). Teens can earn Bookwork Bucks by reading books and reviewing them.
Junie B Jones Reading Club – Sign up and get a FREE starter Kit that includes a copy of Junie B Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, Activity sheets and a membership ID card while supplies last. (UPDATE – the physical kits are no longer available, but you can download the complete Reading Log and Activity Brochure.)
Lifeway Christian Stores – They have a Summer Reading Program each year but it hasn’t been announced yet as of this posting. Visit their website for updates.
Chuck E. Cheese – Earn FREE tokens every time your child reads. Just print off a Reading Rewards Calendar and get 10 free play points when it’s filled out and turned in. (They have other rewards for kids as well, including silly ones like a “No Nose Picking Calendar” for preschoolers!) 
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – Starting May 4th, kids can visit a special Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza zone where they can start and keep their reading streaks, earn special rewards, and more. Kids can also download and print a report of their reading progress to share with their parent, educator, librarian, or group leader.
Six Flags Read to Succeed – K-6 students who complete six hours of non-school-related reading approved by their parents and teachers are eligible for free admission to their nearest theme park.
Another program is the Pizza Hut Book-It Program. This existed when I was a kid and is still going strong! Kids who read can earn a free personal pan pizza. They also have free printables for summer fun.
AND SAVING THE BEST (OR AT LEAST MY FAVORITE) FOR LAST…
Local Public Library – Don’t forget to check out your local libraries to find out which programs they’ll be offering this summer. My kids have participated in several Summer reading Programs through the library and it always includes FREE books & prizes. Visit the MELSA website to learn more about the summer Bookawocky programs in local Twin Cities area libraries!
One more (though not available in Minnesota):
Amazon’s Summer Reading Program (NOT AVAILABLE IN MINNESOTA) -Kids can read 8 books this summer, keep track and bring back their list to an amazon retail store by September 10th, and then get a Star Reader Certificate and choice of a free book. For kids K-8. Check where the amazon retail store locations are.
Programs like these are a great way to encourage our children to continue reading throughout the summer months. If you know of any other programs that aren’t listed here, please feel free to leave the information in a comment below!
