Summer reading programs can help to keep kids learning and growing through the summer. And without the pressure of school assignments, they have the freedom to explore their own interests through literature.
Here are several reading programs that encourage kids to keep reading, and some even offer prizes and rewards.
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Summer Break
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Summer Reading has kids, teens and adults logging their reading and activity time. The program runs from June 14 to August 16, 2025. You can get a digital tracker or paper tracker.
Everyone who signs up with earn a Wendy’s Jr. Frosty coupon.
Then, earn a trip to the Summer Reading Treasure Box after reading for 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Visit your local library to collective incentives and check out books All prizes are while supplies last.
Children and teens (ages 5-18) who read for 45 days will be entered into special ezperience drawings. Winners will be notified by email.
Learn more about Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Summer Reading.
York County Library
York County Library’s summer learning challenge, Color Our World, takes place from June 2 to July 31, 2025. There will be prize drawings, reading incentives, free events and more, for all ages. You can sign up at any York County Library branch, the Bookmobile, or online. York County Library has locations in Rock Hill, Clover, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, and York, South Carolina.
Cabarrus County Library
Cabarrus County Library’s summer reading program, Color Our World, runs from June 2 to August 15, 2025. The whole family can participate. Register online and earn virtual badges.
Gaston County Public Library
Gaston County Public Library’s summer reading program, Color Our World, runs from May 27 to August 9, 2025. Participants can pick up a free reading log at any Gaston County Public Library, and earn prizes. In addition, participants are eligible for drawings for a Grand Prize drawing.
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Program encourages kids to keep reading by offering a downloadable and printable Summer Reading Journal, in both English and Spanish. Kids read any eight books, write down the titles and their favorite part of each book.
Then they bring the journal back to Barnes & Noble and choose one free book as a reward. There are about 10 free books to choose from for each age group. The program is for kids in grades 1-6. The journals must be turned in between July 1st and August 31st, 2025, for a free book.
Books-a-Million Summer Reading Adventure
Kids can read any four books from the Summer Reading Adventure list, which you can find online or in-store. Then fill out the log, which just asks for the title of each book, your favorite character, and the best part of the story. Bring in the log to the store and get a free Dav Pilkey Dog Man backpack.
More information about Books-a-Million Summer Reading Adventure.
The Camp Book It Program with Pizza Hut
Parents of kids in PreK-6th grade can enroll in Camp Book It. In June, July, and August, parents use digital tools to track their kids’ reading. When kids meet their reading goals, they are rewarded with a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut.
Scholastic Summer Reading Program
Scholastic runs its Summer Reading Program from May 9 to September 12, 2024. Kids can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base and create an account, allow them to join a community of readers, attend author events, play book-based games and more. As kids keep up their reading streak they can earn more digital experiences.
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More Events for Kids
Check out our huge list of upcoming events for kids in the Charlotte area, or look at a few of them here:
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