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2024 Summer Reading Programs and Challenges in Springfield & Beyond

By Janel Plunkard, Publisher of Macaroni Kid Springfield MO April 5, 2024
Springfield Greene County Library Summer Reading Program

Adventure Begins at Your Library with the Springfield Greene County Library's 2024 Youth Summer Reading Program!

Kids birth through age 18 can join in the fun all summer long, reading and completing activities to earn great prizes, like a fine waiver card, free book, and the Youth Summer Passport, plus Star Reader awards and end of summer Grand Prize drawings. The more you read the better your chances are to win!

The summer reading program begins June 1 for all ages. Starting June 1, you can sign up online! We’ll help keep the fun going with exciting summer programs to encourage reading, creativity, and community engagement, including the return of the popular Fantastic Friday programs for families, beginning in June and continually weekly throughout the month.


Christian County Summer Reading Program

Participate in Adventure Begins at Your Library Summer Reading Program happening June 1st- July 31st. For all kids from babies through 12th grade with a Christian Country library card! 

Register online, then have fun logging your reading to earn points and completing fun activities! Reaching 500 points earns participants of all ages a free book and one ticket toward a prize pack. Babies, kids and teens also receive a Reading Rewards coupon book featuring local treats and family activities.


Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

Kids in 1st through 6th grade can read any eight books this summer and record them in a Summer Reading Journal.  

Participation is a fun and easy way for kids to earn free books. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part in our Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from the books listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them during July and August. 

Learn more about the program and get summer reading suggestions for all ages at https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/.


The New York Times 15th Annual Summer Reading Contest

Teens worldwide are invited to participate in The New York Times Summer Reading Contest from June 7th–August 16th, 2024. Each Friday, The Times poses a question: "What got your attention in The Times this week? Why?" Responses must be 300 words or fewer; only one submission per person per week.

Teens (ages 13-19) can choose from any article, Op-Ed, video, graphic, podcast, or photograph published in 2024 on any topic they like. Tweens (ages 11-12) can ask an adult to submit a comment via a form on the student's behalf. The New York Times will announce winners every Tuesday and publish their writing.


Pizza Hut Book It Program

Children in Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade can join Camp BOOK IT! Track and reward your kids' reading for June, July, and August. Meet the monthly reading goal and receive a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut! Fun activities and book recommendations will be shared each week to keep the fun going throughout the summer.


Scholastic Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Challenge                                                 

Ages 0-13 can join Scholastic's Summer Reading Challenge!  Kids can enter their summer reading minutes online, unlocking digital rewards as they complete weekly reading challenges, and access book  excerpts, videos, and other summer-exclusive content. Requires a free mobile app download.