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Read Your Way To a Perfect Summer
About Blog Post
Jun 12, 2023
by SCLSNJ
“Summer can be this huge black hole,” said Beth Bouwman, youth services department supervisor.
Continued Bouwman, “There is this huge amount of time to fill. There's so many different activities available during the summer with different access for each student depending on family budgets and myriad other factors. A Library, our Libraries, are accessible for everybody. Summer reading is for everybody; it really fills in that hole.”
The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) Summer Reading Challenge begins on June 12 and continues through August 19, 2023. Students throughout Somerset County are invited and encouraged to challenge themselves and make reading a habit.
“Reading is a habit,” said Aaron Pickett, youth services department supervisor. “Writing papers isn't a habit. Doing book reports isn't a habit. But, reading is a habit. If you can keep that habit up during the summer, it's great. There are zero guidelines around SCLSNJ’s Summer Reading Challenge, it's really just read every day. If you read every day, you're doing a great job.”
Whether you have a new baby at home, are battling with a reluctant reader, or are attempting to keep your child away from the dreaded summer slide, SCLSNJ has everything you need to read your way to a perfect summer.
“The single best thing you can do for your child's early literacy is to read to them every day, and that does not have to stop when they enter school,” said Allie Ziff, youth services system programming coordinator. “Reading with your child or reading alongside your child is so important. Summer reading is just that tool to keep you going throughout the summer.”
“With reading, and literacy in particular, studies show that that lack of continuity is cumulative,” said Mary Cole, youth services department supervisor. “Just by doing little things over the summer, your student is going to stay exactly on track where they should be. And, it doesn't have to feel like school; it can still be really fun, which is what summer is about. Our reading program is really fun - filled with drawing tickets, prizes, unique events, a kindness challenge, and so much more.”
If you are the caregiver of a reluctant reader, do not despair. In fact, several of our librarians were once reluctant readers themselves!
“I was one of those kids who was not a reader,” said Nicole Pelliccia, youth services department supervisor. “I didn't grow up going to a library. As an adult, like looking back, I wish I did.”
Continued Pelliccia, “I have comprehension problems so reading in school was a lot of pressure. I do feel now, if I had participated in a summer reading program, I wouldn’t have had that pressure; it would have just been fun. Summer reading encourages that lifelong love of reading.”
Our dedicated, expert librarians and staff are trained to find the perfect book for your reader. Whether you visit us in person or visit us virtually by contacting ask@sclibnj.org, SCLSNJ staffers know all the tips and tricks for discovering the very best book for you.
Continued Cole, “A lot of times, kids come in and say, ‘I hate reading.’ Then we teach them about the five finger rule where all they have to do is read one page to figure out on their own, independently, without any fear or shame or judgment whether that book is right for them. It's not an outside judgment of, ‘I'm not a good enough reader, or I'm not smart enough to read that book.’ They can decide on their own and have autonomy. That can be very empowering to reluctant readers. Most importantly, if you don’t like a book, totally stop, put it down, try something else. Then come back and tell us what you didn't like so that we can try something different next time.”
Continued Pelliccia, “Audiobooks count. Sometimes it helps to process by hearing something and not having to physically work at it.”
Continued Ziff, “I agree. You don't need to physically read a book. You could read short stories, you could listen to an audiobook, you could look through a comic book, you could read poems, you could read nonfiction - there's so many different types of ways to read out there. When somebody says to me, ‘I don't like reading,’ I think you just haven't found the book that you want to read. That book is out there. I guarantee we can find it for you.”
As the summer months and the heat of the season ultimately wane, it is imperative to remember that reading is not just for the summer. Reading is for everyone, from every walk of life, and for every season.
Continued Bouwman, “Reading makes you a kinder person because you learn about different people. I read because it's fun and relaxing; I feel good when I'm done.”
Continued Pickett, “Even if you didn’t or are not growing up with a home full of books, go to a public library. This is really one of the few places in town - in all our towns - where you can go and get everything absolutely for free.”
Explore a few librarian-curated recommendations:
- Allie Ziff recommends: “Bodies Are Cool” by Tyler Feder
- Mary Cole recommends: “Creepy Crayon” by Aaron Reynolds
- Nicole Pelliccia recommends: “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman
- Aaron Pickett recommends: “Go With the Flow” by Lily Williams
- Beth Bouwman recommends: “Frankie & Bug” by Gayle Forman