Summer Reading Programs 2026
District Library Media Center
Summer reading isn’t just a nice extra—it plays a critical role in helping students maintain and grow their skills. Research consistently shows that students who don’t read over the summer can lose months of academic progress, often referred to as the “summer slide.” Regular reading helps students retain vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, making the transition back to school smoother and more successful.
For both teachers and parents, encouraging even a small amount of daily reading can make a big difference. When students choose books that interest them, they build a love of reading while strengthening fluency and confidence. Summer reading also fosters curiosity, imagination, and empathy—skills that support learning across all subjects. By working together to promote consistent reading habits, we can ensure students return to school ready to learn, engaged, and excited for the year ahead.
DCSD's District Library Media Center
Join the DLMC this summer for our 3rd annual summer reading program! Ride into Summer - Every Book is a New Destination is open to all DCSD Students and Staff.
Participants must complete the Google Form (below) using their DCSD email or submit a reading log (below) to your school librarian by August 21, 2026. If your school does not have a librarian, please email your completed reading log to dlmc-questions@dcsdk12.org.
Summer Reading Contest Rules:
Submission must include DCSD email address
One entry per person
Entries must be received by end of school day on August 21
Required - minimum of 500 minutes (20 mins per day) between May 30 and August 21
All reading counts! Books, eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, comics, magazines, etc. Sora is a great place to read on the go!
Student Prizes - New books, gift cards, stickers, certificates
Students Grand Prize - Kindle eReader
Staff Prizes - Summer reading swag
Flyer - includes book suggestions for every grade level
Online Form (fill out when you have completed the reading log)
Elementary Student: Reading Log
Secondary Student: Reading Log
Adult/Teacher: Reading Log
This year’s selection is a mix of more than 100 ebooks (and select audiobooks) spanning grades K-12 – available for free and simultaneous use until August 24. *NO HOLDS! NO WAITING! AVAILABLE 24/7!*
All titles will be prominently displayed in a themed curation on DCSD's Sora Explore page.
Instructions on how to access Sora.
Howdy, Partner - Let's Read!
Visit DCL.org to register the whole family for Douglas County Libraries Summer Reading program starting May 1!
Mosey on over to the library and enjoy reading, prizes, and fun summer activities.
*Remember, the school with the most summer reading sign-ups at each level will receive a $500 donation from the DCL Foundation.
Learn more at DCL.org!
Yeehaw for summer reading!
Meet Children's Author Alice Feagan
Sunday, June 14, 2:00PM, Highlands Ranch
Join Colorado author and illustrator Alice Feagan for a story-and-activities event for her new picture book, The Lost Board. Registration required for each person attending.
Alice Feagan will read her new picture book, demonstrate illustrating, and have the children join in fun activities. The Lost Board: A young girl learns that sometimes letting go is part of the journey when her family's surfboard creates memories with a new rider. Books will be sold at the event. Questions? Call 303-791-7323.
Using Nursery Rhymes with Today's Kids: A Legacy
Sunday, June 28, 2:00pm-4:00pm, Castle Rock
Join Mary R. Lanni for a conversation about the importance of songs and nursery rhymes in children's lives today. She includes some nursery rhyme history. Adults. Register now.
Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of the role songs and nursery rhymes play in early learning, concrete tips and tricks for choosing which songs to sing with children, and an understanding of human connection through music. Mary R. Lanni is a librarian and book reviewer in Colorado. She believes passionately in the importance of cultivating early literacy, especially as a way of improving individual lives and society as a whole. Her new book focuses on the place Nursery Rhymes hold in our modern society, and how they help shape the next generation through the use of songs and rhymes. She is the co-author of Early Learning Through Play: Library Programming for Diverse Communities. Questions? Call 303-791-7323. Perfect for parents/caregivers and early childhood educators.
School Library Journal article: "Using Nursery Rhymes with Today’s Kids: A Talk with Mary Lanni"
This summer, DCL will host drop-in Reading Buddies sessions at four locations: Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker. Kids in grades 1-3 can read and play literacy-based games with a trained teen Reading Buddy volunteer. No registration is required, but the drop-in times vary by location so please check the Reading Buddies calendar for more details.
All DCL locations offer this service for emerging readers, and those needing practice, to help build confidence by reading with a trained, patient, and adorable companion. Registration is required; days and times vary by location. View the calendar on our webpage for more information.
Children in grades PreK-3 can connect with this literacy resource that pairs video storybooks with topically related nonfiction e-books to build a love of reading and learning. Interactive educational games are also available to reinforce and enhance learning.
DCL staff create recommended book lists each year for grades 1-8 that include everything from fiction, nonfiction and sci-fi to graphic novels, mysteries and more. This year’s lists are complete, and all elementary and middle school library staff should have received bookmarks to give out. You can learn more about the titles on this year’s lists and place them on hold here.
All DCL locations offer book clubs for kids, teens and adults. Are you interested in joining one? Do you know of a youth in your life who would want to join a club and talk about books? Check out our Book Clubs webpage at DCL.org/book-clubs. You can sort by location and age group to see what is available. Even if joining a book club isn’t possible, this is a great place to find out what others are reading and add those books to your own list.
Summer reading is one of the season’s great pleasures. We’re sharing a list of fiction and non-fiction books exploring Shakespeare and his world, many from Folger blogs, podcast interviews, and our book club. Happy reading!
See the full list here.
License to Read ~ May 25 - September 7
This is a FREE program and all children are welcome and encouraged to participate (ages 0 -18 years old).
Pick up the following materials in-store at any Tattered Cover location starting on Monday, May 25th through Monday, September 7th:
- Your official 2026 Reader's License
- Your 2026 Reading Time Log
- NEW: A car cutout that you can decorate in-store and place on our racing track!
To complete the Children's Summer Reading Challenge, we're asking all registrants to log 1000 minutes (averages out to just 10 minutes a day!) of reading time in their Reading Time Log anytime between May 25th - September 7th.
*Reading time includes being read to—hence the minimum age being set at 0.*
Once you've completed 1000 minutes of reading time (and filled out your bonus Bingo Board in your Reading Log), please turn in your Reading Time Log to any Tattered Cover location to receive a fun prize from our treasure chest.
For more information - tatteredcover.com.
FREE BOOKS for Kids Ages 1-5
Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family.
More information here
For Elementary Students
Inspire and excite reading among students by partnering with Panda to reward them for their achievements! Recommended for students in kindergarten thru 5th grade.
More information here
Kids will have a great time working towards success while earning Chuck E. Cheese rewards along the way. Simply track progress on these printable incentive charts by marking the days off with a pen or sticker as your kids accomplish their goals, then bring in a completed calendar or behavior chart to Chuck E. Cheese and receive 10 free play points or tokens as a reward.
More information here
Collaboration between schools and public libraries encourages independent reading over the summer. Themed lists for summer reading programs like CSLP and iRead are available to save, edit, and share.
Titles to Diversify Teens' Summer Reading - School Library Journal
We are Kid Lit Collective Summer Reading Lists, 2015-2025 - 8,497 Resources here
Summer Stuff - Reading Rockets
Barnes & Noble - Kids can get a free book from Barnes & Noble by reading eight books and logging them in their summer reading journal. With a wide selection of books for all ages, this program is a great way to keep kids reading all summer.
Penguin Random House - Summer reading challenge includes book suggestions and a self-paced checklist.
This program is designed for kids in grades K-6 and offers rewards for reading and completing activities. With fun reading challenges and prizes, this program is a great way to keep kids entertained all summer long.
FREE PIZZA from Pizza Hut!
One of the summer free reading programs for kids is Half-Price Books Feed Your Brain. To participate, children need to read for a minimum of 15 minutes every day and use the free reading log provided by the program to track their progress. After reading for 300 minutes, they can submit their completed log to their nearby HPB store and earn $5 Half-Price Books Bucks. Additionally, the program offers tips and printable book lists to help children make the most of their summer reading experience.
This website offers free digital books and resources in multiple languages for kids of all ages. With a focus on early literacy, Unite for Literacy helps kids build foundational reading skills and a love of books.
Let our Books and Bundts Youth Reading Program encourage your pre-K and elementary-aged children to read! Research shows that childhood reading is an important indicator for success, and we’ve made it easy.
Partner with your school, log minutes reading with our easy-to-use tracker, and receive a Free Bundlet in our bakery to celebrate reaching the goal!
Ready to get started? Contact us today to get all of the details! Contact your local bakery here.
Let Them Eat Cake!
Use the following digital resources to explore high interest topics such as new places, different cultures, interesting people, space, science, music, art, sports, games, volcanoes, dinosaurs, and so much more.
These databases allow students to read in-depth articles, watch videos, see pictures and illustrations, and play educational games. Students can use features such as audio, translations, highlighting, the ability to change the font and/or back ground, and adjust the lexile level.
Humane Colorado (FKA The Dumb Friends League)
The Tales for Tails program provides kids in 1st through 12th grades an educational, interactive experience reading to equines at the Harmony Equine Center, cats at the Leslie A. Malone Center, and dogs at the Buddy Center. Each session includes lessons on animal safety, a tour, and time to practice their reading skills.
More information here!
Summer reading is not just about keeping kids busy—it plays a big role in helping K–12 students stay academically and personally on track between school years. One of the biggest benefits is preventing “summer slide,” a well-documented learning loss that can happen when students go months without practicing reading. Regular reading helps maintain vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency so students return to school ready to build on skills instead of relearning them.
Reading over the summer also strengthens overall academic performance. Students who read consistently tend to have better writing skills, stronger critical thinking, and improved performance across subjects—not just in English. That is because reading builds background knowledge, which supports learning in science, social studies, and beyond.
There is also a big impact on confidence and independence. When students choose their own books—whether it’s graphic novels, audiobooks, or nonfiction—they are more engaged and begin to see themselves as readers. That sense of ownership can increase motivation and create lifelong reading habits.
Summer reading supports social-emotional growth too. Books allow students to explore different perspectives, build empathy, and better understand themselves and others. This is especially important for younger readers and adolescents navigating identity and relationships.
Reading can simply bring joy. Without the pressure of assignments or tests, summer offers a chance for students to rediscover reading as something fun and relaxing. That positive association can make a lasting difference in how they approach learning. For the best results, encourage a mix of choice, access (libraries, audiobooks, eBooks), and a little structure—like setting aside daily reading time or sharing books as a family.
Adults have a huge influence on whether kids see reading as a chore—or something worth doing. Modeling reading does not require anything fancy; it is about making reading visible, normal, and enjoyable in everyday life.
One of the simplest ways is to let students actually see you read. Whether it is a novel, a magazine, or even a recipe, visibly choosing to read during free moments sends a strong message that reading matters. When adults consistently pick up a book instead of a phone, it quietly reinforces that reading is a valuable habit.
It also helps to talk about what you are reading in a natural way. Share something interesting, funny, or surprising—just like you would about a TV show. Comments like, “This part really made me think…” or “I didn’t expect that ending” show students that reading is engaging and worth discussing.
Another powerful approach is reading alongside students. In classrooms or at home, setting aside a short, shared reading time—where everyone reads their own book—builds a culture of reading without pressure. It shows that reading is not just an assignment for kids; it is something everyone does.
Adults can also model choice and variety. Reading different formats—graphic novels, audiobooks, news articles, or nonfiction—helps students understand that reading is not one-size-fits-all. It validates different interests and reading levels, especially for reluctant readers.
Showing that reading fits into real life is important too. Point out when you use reading for a purpose—following directions, researching a topic, planning a trip, or learning a new skill. This helps students see reading as practical, not just academic.
Modeling a positive attitude toward reading matters. Avoid framing reading as a chore (“I have to read this”) and instead emphasize curiosity and enjoyment. Even small comments like “I’m excited to get back to my book” can shape how students perceive reading.
When adults consistently model these behaviors, they help create a culture where reading feels normal, useful, and even enjoyable—something students are far more likely to carry with them long term.
Many parents picture “real reading” as a child sitting quietly with a traditional novel—but literacy today is much broader, and that is a good thing. Graphic novels, comics, audiobooks, magazines, and books of all genres absolutely count as reading and play an important role in building strong, lifelong readers.
Graphic novels and comics combine text with visual storytelling, which helps students develop comprehension skills like interpreting meaning, making inferences, and understanding sequence. They are especially powerful for reluctant readers or visual learners because the images support understanding while still requiring students to read and think critically.
Audiobooks are another valuable format. When students listen to books, they are building vocabulary, improving listening comprehension, and experiencing fluent, expressive reading. Audiobooks allow students to access more complex stories than they might be able to decode independently, which strengthens their overall literacy and love of stories.
Magazines and high-interest nonfiction—whether about sports, science, fashion, or current events—help students see reading as relevant and engaging. These shorter, more varied texts build background knowledge, expand vocabulary, and encourage curiosity about the world.
Just as important, allowing students to choose what they read—across all genres and formats—builds motivation. When kids enjoy reading, they read more. And the more they read, the stronger their skills become. If a student is engaged with a text, thinking about it, and making meaning from it, they are reading. By valuing all types of reading, we help students grow into confident, capable, and enthusiastic readers.
Email: dlmc-questions@dcsdk12.org
Website
Location: 985 S. Plum Creek Blvd., Castle Rock, CO 80104
Phone: 303-387-0600
Twitter: @dcsdDLMC and Instagram: dcsddlmc