13 Ways to Get FREE Rewards through Summer Reading Programs

School's out and summer is here, but that shouldn't mean books are left on the shelf. When students don't read during the summer months, they lose educational ground - a phenomenon that lowers achievement potential and widens the achievement gap.

To encourage kids to continue reading over the summer, several organizations have created Summer Reading Challenges.  Below is a list of Challenges for local kids.

1. Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination- Read 8 books, track them in your reading journal. Take the journal to a participating Barnes & Noble store and pick out a free book (selected books)!!

2. Scholastic Reading Challenge-

Help set a world record by recording your minutes you read for the summer of 2015! If your school is participating, you can help to win books for your school! I noticed that some of the books are online, so a great way to track and gain more reading while on your devices. 

3. American Girl- Get quizzes, suggestions, lessons and learning guides.

4. Gwinnett County Summer Reading Program- Come to the library early and learn how your child can participate in the Summer Reading Program. Summer Reading Program helps kids practice their reading skills while having fun!  Prizes, programs, and lots of great books are available all summer long

5. Pizza Hut's Book it Program: This begins June 22nd. Read books and earn prizes! 

6. Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar- Complete the Calendar, bring it to Chuck E. Cheese to get 10 free tokens!

7. Books-a-Million- Read any 6 books from the summer reading list from now until August 16th. Log you reading in the form along with a parents signature, bring it back to a Books-a-Million location and get a free Theadore Boone pencil case and pencil (while supplies last)

8. Atlanta Hawks Check It Out Reading Program - Read at least five books and receive a Check It Out Reading Challenge bookmark (available at your local library) and a free youth ticket with purchase of at least 1 adult ticket. 
9. Braves Summer Reading Program - Read a book and receive a FREE Braves Ticket. Click here to register after Friday, May 23.
10. Georgia's Summer Reading Challenge - myON Reader has partnered with the Get Georgia Reading Campaign to provide every child in Georgia FREE access anytime, anywhere.
11. Half Price Books - Kids 14 and under can earn a $5 Gift Card each month for reading 15 min/day in June and July.
12. Little Shop of Stories Summer Reading Program & Events: This is an independent children’s bookstore in Decatur that offers a summer reading challenge for kids to read 40 hours. Children receive prizes for each 10 hours they read.
13. Reading with Ringling: Just  ask your local library if they participate in the Reading with Ringling program and if so, they should have the materials. If they do, you can get up to three free kids tickets (with the purchase of an adult ticket) for an upcoming Ringling Bros. Show.