Readers Respond: Have you had success in encouraging summer reading?
Responses: 8

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With summer reading so important, what have you done that's worked to keep your child reading during the summer? Share Your Tips

I used this with my children and look forward to using it with my grandchildren in the next few years: Ask your relatives to send postcards to your children, from their hometown or from vacation spots. Kids adore getting mail and they get to read something other than a book. Encourage them to find more information at the library or on the Internet. And in reverse, get them to send postcards from your vacation spots. Reading and writing=learning can be fun!
—editorgrandy

It varied at different ages, but we usually kept a container of books in the car. One summer, we read books by theme with my son -- started with Babe or Charlotte's Web and went on to other pig books. Sometimes, took turns reading. If reading together and they want to go ahead and read more on their own, let them! Don't think it always has to be books or fiction -- I'd pick up magazines at different reading levels that matched my kids interests -- then, just left them around where they'd see them. Computer or gaming mags for son, teen mags for daughter at reluctant ages even if I didn't like them! (The mags I mean!) Have reading materials in a magazine rack in the bathroom. We'd go to a bookstore and I'd choose books for them, but always let them choose at least one themselves, no matter how junky I thought it was -- they usually made good choices and would talk me into one or two more! Both kids excelled in English and writing. Let them read series books -- a proven good.
—dreaan2

I've created a website for my kids and their friends, where they log-in, track their reading and earn privileges in a Fun and Games section (only if they read!). There's lots more there and lots more in the works, as well! Our kids love it and have surprised us all by how much more time they have spent reading! It's still a work in progress, but you are all more than welcome to have a look and register your kids. It's free. www.reading-rewards.com
—Guest Michelle Skamene

As an employee of a children's imprint, this may sound self-serving, but the series we have that has most inspired reluctant readers is Horrid Henry. Each book is divided into four short chapters, each a story in itself. This gives kids a sense of accomplishment at the end of each story. Additionally, the storylines are fun and the protagonist (Henry) is very naughty... and who doesn't love reading about that! The illustrations by Tony Ross also make it a fantastic read.
—Guest Paul Samuelson

When my 3 children were in early elementary grades, we were planning a vacation to Atlanta, Ga. I had two goals: They needed to earn their own spending money, and I wanted them to continue their new-found love for reading. I told them I would pay them a penny a page for each page they read that summer. If they got on the trip and wanted more spending money, my answer was always, you need to read more, then. They blew me out of the water with the amount they read that summer, and it continued at their request for several summers, until their books were so big and they read so much, I couldn't afford their habits. They all ended up breaking school records at different levels and winning TV's, VCR's and other prizes through Accelerated Reader programs. My youngest son broke his high school reading record by several hundred points his junior year and won $100.00. They are all in college now and all three are majoring in English and/or History or a double major of both.
—Guest Libby Clifton

My sons love a good series of books. Once we find a new book, we make sure there is a "series" of follow up books that keep the story line going or introduce new characters that make them want to continue their reading adventure! We love the Olympian Series, Indian In the Cupboard(s), The Crestomanci series, Charlie Bone books, Firewing series (about bats) and many more. It is always disappointing to come to the end of a great book and having another to look forward to encourages my boys to keep reading. We always read the first book together and then they track down the others via local libraries, bookshops etc. (That is part of the fun!) Finding the right fit is important - whether magic and dragons, or mythical beasts, or coming of age stories - find where your kids' interests lies and run with it.
—Rebecca.kids

It has always been my experience that children's librarians are some of the most helpful people on Earth. They love to find the right book that gets a kid going on reading. So don't just go in and pick up what ever catches your eye. Tell the librarian what your kids' interests are and ask for recommendations. They know a lot more about what is available.
—LaureenBrunelli

I started a mother/daughter book club with my daughters. I invited several of their friends who like to read, as well as their friends' mothers. We pick a book and then meet in the summer to discuss it. Each girl is asked to come to the meeting with a discussion question to pose to the group. It's been a fabulous experience and encouraged my daughters to read because it made reading a social event for them.
—Guest Pam

Have you had success in encouraging summer reading?