Tag summer reading

The book cover shows the silhouette of a person running, with illustrated hills, river, and scrub around them. The book cover is superimposed over an actual stretch of empty highway through wilderness.

Savor Summer Reading

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A blue banner says "Adult Reading Challenge" and has an image of the booklet "Reading is for Everyone" at the right side.

by Cherise T.

Opinions on the best summer reading selections abound. Some readers look forward to extended spans of time to sink into those longer books. Anticipating many hours reading epic novels or multi-volumed biographies, they embrace the joy of following multiple characters or complex historical chronologies uninterrupted. On the opposite side of the spectrum are readers who want their vacation books to be as light as warm-weather clothing or as intoxicating as a margarita. Nothing too serious, please; they want stress-free romance, memoir, and mystery.

The HCLS year-round Adult Reading Challenge journal speaks to everyone. Any time of year, every genre, you can pick a challenge category to enjoy. There are book recommendations, but selections from your “to-be-read” pile are perfect too. All genres are welcome, creating the ideal opportunity to try something new, be it poetry, self-help, science fiction, fantasy, graphic novel, or thriller, to names a few.

A woman dressed in a bright yellow dress walks while reading through a grand lobby with well-lit doors and windows behind her.

This summer, explore the new 2024-2025 challenges and journal prompts. For example, if Read a Book Set in a Library appeals, check out the historical fiction of The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis (which I reviewed). Parallel stories unspool of a New York public librarian in 1993 and her grandmother, the wife of the NYPL superintendent, in 1913, as both women aspire to grow professionally and personally. As a delightful added twist, the 1913 family lives in the library.

If magical fiction sounds just right, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig imagines a library where every book offers the protagonist a different life. Would she have been more fulfilled as a sports star, a musician, or a parent? For a nonfiction page-turner, pick up Susan Orlean’s The Library Book about the devastating 1986 Los Angeles Central Library fire. The arson investigation reads like a good mystery, and librarian interviews delve into the current role of libraries in society.

To participate in the Adult Summer Reading Adventure, complete any three of the challenges or read three books by August 31, 2024. Topics include Explore the American West; Visit a Galaxy Far, Far Away; Get Lost in a Translation; and Reimagined Reading. Finishers receive a completion prize and entry into grand prize drawings.

The book cover shows the silhouette of a person running, with illustrated hills, river, and scrub around them. The book cover is superimposed over an actual stretch of empty highway through wilderness.

World Adventures Summer Book Discussions: Spirit Run by Noé Álvarez
Adults. Register.
This summer, read and discuss books that celebrate journeys of discovery around the world. In June, we discuss Spirit Run: A 6000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land by Noé Álvarez.
Mon, Jun 17; 7 – 8 pm | Elkridge Branch


Booker stands in front of a desk and shelves of books holding a golden ticket.

Happy Reading this Summer!

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Booker, the library's mascot owl, strides out from a spinning globe while carrying a suitcase.

Dear Parents of HCPSS students,

Summer is almost here! In addition to fireworks, family time, and barbecues, I’m looking forward to tackling my summer reading list.

I’m proud that the Howard County Public School System and Howard County Library System are again partnering to present a fun and engaging summer reading experience for our community. I hope this letter encourages your child – and your whole family – to participate.

Here’s why:
There are games (and prizes!) for each age group, including an attractive reading journal for adults. Begin your summer reading adventure on June 1. The children and teens games celebrate reading (including graphic novels, comic books, and audiobooks) and activities.

Summer reading helps connect your family to the library this summer. That includes six celebrations, hundreds of free summer classes and activities for all ages, and STEAM classes for middle and high school students. HCLS has an amazing collection, and staff that love helping your child select a book they’ll love. Learn about it all at hclibrary.org/summer.

Just like a dessert with secret veggies in it, this fun is good for you! Reading all summer has been shown not just to eliminate slide in reading but also to help students advance their skills.

Get started! Every elementary school student will receive a gameboard at their school. Middle and high school students can pick up gameboards at their school media centers. Additional copies may be picked up at any Howard County Library System branch. I know that library staff are ready to answer questions and get you started!

New this year: When your elementary student finishes summer reading and submits a ticket to the library to receive their prize, please check the box authorizing the library to share their success with their school so we can continue to celebrate them when they return to school in the fall.

Happy reading!

Sincerely,
William J. Barnes
HCPSS Superintendent

Booker, the library's mascot owl, strides out from a spinning globe while carrying a suitcase.

Summer Reading Adventures 2024

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Booker, the library's mascot owl, strides out from a spinning globe while carrying a suitcase.

by Jean B.

It’s summer, hooray! So much free time!
It’s summer, oh, no! So much free time!

What will you do with the kids this summer? Check out the library’s summer reading program, which begins June 1. Join in the adventure. It’s FREE, it’s for everyone!

So what’s in it for you? FUN! Borrow music, dance and sing! Borrow puppets and put on a show. Take home the Gingerbread Man literacy activity kit, and build a boat that floats. Get a book of jokes to share. Take our Summer Reading Mascot on a journey as Flat Booker.

BOREDOM BUSTERS. Try some activity ideas from the summer reading game board at home, at the library, or in your neighborhood. Party at our branch Summer Reading Celebrations (see p. 11) scattered throughout the summer. You may discover safari surprises, mythological creatures, carnival games, and more. The one thing that you won’t find is boredom!

STRUCTURE and GOALS. Instead of school routines, use your game board as a daily brain-builder. Make a plan to read together every day and complete a space on the game board. Visit the library often — where your child can collect a stamp for completed activities, earn a sticker, and find more great things to borrow. It all builds to a great goal: complete the game and earn a summer reading prize – hooray!

A (SECRET) BOOST TO SCHOOL SKILLS. Did you know? Reading, singing, talking, writing, and playing all summer helps reduce “summer slide,” so your kids are ready for the transition to a new grade in August.

AIR CONDITIONED COMFORT. On the hottest days of summer, you can find cool spaces and even cooler events at HCLS’ six branches. Crafts, STEAM activities, games, book clubs, movies – it’s all happening at your library.

Get on board and pick up your map for a Summer Reading Adventure at any HCLS branch, beginning June 1. Bet you can’t wait for summer to arrive with lots of time to explore and learn. See you at the library!

Join Booker in games for ages birth – 4 and ages 5 – 10. Teens (ages 11 – 18) participate in a raffle. Adults receive the new 2024 Reading Challenges booklet.

For book lists, classes, and more, visit hclibrary.org/summer.

SUMMER READING CELEBRATIONS
For all ages. Drop in to these sessions happening all summer! For details, visit hclibrary.org/summer
Passport to Adventure
Tue, Jun 18; 3 – 7 pm | Glenwood Branch
Party on the Patio
Wed, Jun 26; 5 – 8 pm | Central Branch
Summer Reading Carnival
Fri, Jul 19; 11 am – 2 pm | East Columbia Branch
Summer Safari
Sat, Jul 20; 11 am – 2 pm | Savage Branch
Mythological Creatures of Legend
Thu, Aug 15; 6 – 8 pm | Miller
Summer Reading Celebration
Sat, Aug 24; 10 am – 4 pm | Elkridge Branch

Jean B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch who loves reading books for all ages when she isn’t enjoying the outdoors.

The cover depicts three of the witchlings - one with a worried expression who is wringing her hands, one with a smug expression with arms crossed, and one wide-eyed, facing forward. There are buildings with peaked roofs and turrets in the background, and the eyes of the Nightbeast are superimposed over the starry night sky.

Summer Reading Adventures: Friendship Stories

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By Eliana H.

Some of you may have already collected your finisher prizes for our Summer Reading Adventure. If you have, congratulations! Great job reading and completing activities. It’s not too late to visit one of our branches to collect your prize if you haven’t. They are available through Thursday, August 31, as long as supplies last. If you’re still working on finishing those last few reads, I have a highlight for you from each of our elementary lists. This time, I’m focusing on friendship stories. 

Grades K-1: 

Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang (also available as an e-book)

The cover depicts an array of children and a white kitten, holding a gold and white banner with the book's title written in fuschia.

This book offers a beautiful beginning, showing ways to say “welcome” from around the world even before the title page. Amy is excited to see a new student join her class, but he doesn’t talk at all during the school day, even when she tries very hard to make him feel welcome. When she sees him light up and talk away to his little sister – in Chinese – she’s surprised to see how different he is! Amy thinks hard and comes up with an idea of another way to make him feel welcome. Check the book out to see if Amy succeeds, and be sure to explore the craft idea and note from the author.

Grades 2-3: 

How to Test a Friendship by Theanne Griffith

The book cover shows three students working on a science project involving a miniature ecosystem under a dome, with books and a microscope on a table in front of them. One of them holds an Erlenmeyer flask and another holds a pencil and a booklet that says "STEM notes." All three are wearing t-shirts with science motifs - two have rockets, planets, and stars, and the third has a diagram of an atom.

How to Test a Friendship, the first title in the series Magnificent Makers, introduces readers to third graders Pablo and Violet, best friends who are looking forward to being in the same class and studying science, their favorite subject. When new student Deepak appears and starts making friends with Violet, Pablo is not very excited. But the three suddenly find themselves transported to the Maker Maze when they solve a riddle in science class. They must complete challenges to return to their world, but they will only finish in time if they work together. Can Pablo set aside his hard feelings toward Deepak so that they make it home in time? Do they know enough to solve the puzzles? If your young scientist is feeling inspired, be sure to take a look the STEM activities in the back to try at home! 

Grades 4-5: 

The Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega 

The cover depicts three of the witchlings - one with a worried expression who is wringing her hands, one with a smug expression with arms crossed, and one wide-eyed, facing forward. There are buildings with peaked roofs and turrets in the background, and the eyes of the Nightbeast are superimposed over the starry night sky.

Readers who enjoy fantasy will love The Witchlings, offering another unique view of magic and the world by the author of Ghost Squad. It’s the night of the Black Moon Ceremony, when Witchlings are placed in their covens, and twelve-year-old Seven Salazar knows exactly where she wants to be: House Hyacinth, with her best friend Poppy. Instead, Seven’s worst nightmare comes true. She’s named a Spare, one of the three witches left over at the end of the ceremony, along with Thorn, who is new to town, and Valley, Seven’s long-time enemy. Spares are stripped of their magic and treated poorly, but Seven invokes the rarely used Clause of the Impossible Task. If she and the other Spares can accomplish the Impossible Task, they will complete their circle and become a true coven. When they learn they need to find and defeat the dreaded Nightbeast, Seven and her coven wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into. Little do they know, Seven, Thorn, and Valley will uncover even darker and more mysterious things lurking in their town of Ravenskill. They need to work together and learn to trust each other if they have any chance of success. Check out The Witchlings to discover whether they manage the impossible and overcome their own pasts and fears, as well as the dark powers working against them.

Be part of HCLS’ Summer Reading Adventures.

Eliana is a Children’s Research Specialist and Instructor at HCLS Elkridge Branch. She loves reading, even if she’s slow at it, and especially enjoys helping people find books that make them light up. She also loves being outside and spending time with friends and family (when it’s safe).

Mission Impossible: Summer 

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by Cherise T.

It’s August, it’s hot, you need to complete a few more adventures for Summer Reading 2023. Cue the music and jump into Mission: Impossible. Not only can you see the world, but you can watch Tom Cruise do all his own stunts over 25 years of true movie star magic.  

At this point in film history, Tom Cruise embodies Ethan Hunt, heroic Impossible Missions Force (IMF) agent. The seventh installment, Dead Reckoning, is in theaters currently (with part 2 arriving in 2024), and its trailer with Ethan/Tom jumping off a cliff while riding a motorbike is simply heartstopping. Saving the world is assured as long as tech genius Luther, played by Ving Rhames, is by Ethan’s side. Beginning in the third installment, the team is perfected with the addition of field agent Benji, played by Simon Pegg (see also Shaun of the Dead for London electronics salesman battling a zombie apocalypse while maintaining his sense of humor). These three, bolstered by a rotating cast of glamorous spies, defeat the savviest of international criminals. 

Brian De Palma, the great suspense director, kicked off the Mission: Impossible series in 1996. Not-to-be-missed scenes include the exploding fish tank and Ethan suspended upside down by a cable while attempting to infiltrate an impenetrable CIA vault. Cruise later explained he put coins in his shoes to help him balance. 

Mission: Impossible II finds Ethan saving us all from the release of a deadly virus. The rock climbing sequence is incredible. Ethan is pulled out of retirement for Mission: Impossible III which transports viewers to Rome, Shanghai, and Berlin. Directed by J.J. Abrams (Cruise is an Alias fan), the movie includes an explosive scene on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. 

Ghost Protocol, the fourth in the series, finds Ethan accused of bombing the Kremlin and fighting for his life. Brad Bird bravely ventures beyond his acclaimed animation repertoire, including The Incredibles and Ratatouille, to direct this one. The travelogue encompasses Bangalore, Mumbai, Budapest, Dubai, and Moscow, and Cruise again engages in some impressive climbing, scaling a 1700-foot building. For those prone to hypertension, beware the action sequence in the parking structure. 

The Syndicate is a group of spies gone rogue, and they have nerve gas. Hence, Rogue Nation, get it? Ethan goes to the opera, visits Oxford, hangs suspended from an Airbus, and dives underwater in a long take that has been reported as lasting anywhere from three to six minutes. Cruise trained with a diving instructor to assure he could act as well under the sea as he does on land and in the sky. 

2018 brought the release of Fallout, the sixth installment. The Syndicate has morphed into the Apostles, and Ethan must race to Paris, London, and the Himalayas to retrieve some plutonium. Ethan jumps from a plane, requiring Cruise to do multiple takes skydiving from an aircraft traveling 165 miles per hour at an altitude of 25,000 feet. At one point, production was suspended to allow Cruise to recover from a broken ankle that he suffered performing one of his “easy” stunts jumping between buildings. 

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to watch all six. There’s no boredom allowed when you have an HCLS library card. 

Cherise Tasker is an Adult Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch. When not immersed in literary fiction, Cherise can be found singing along to musical theater soundtracks. 

A teen sits in the biography isles reading at the Miller Branch during a summer reading adventures teen after-hours event.

Feeling Curious? Take the Curiosity Challenge!

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A teen sits in the biography isles reading at the Miller Branch during a summer reading adventures teen after-hours event.

by Emily B.

Have you embarked on your Summer Reading Adventure yet? If not, head to any HCLS branch to begin your Summer Reading Adventure or participate online through ReadSquared. There are Summer Reading games and prizes for all ages. Visit hclibrary.org/summer/ for all the details on this year’s Summer Reading Adventures.

One of the fun challenges this year for all ages is the Curiosity Challenge. To partake in this challenge, simply read a book on any topic you’re curious about. No matter your interests, we can help you find a book to satisfy your curiosities!

Here are some books to spark your curiosity:

Science: With a wide range of science-related topics covered in these books, you’re sure to learn something new and you might even find additional topics to explore!

The Highlights Book of How: Discover the Science of How the World Works by Libby Romero (CHILDRENS 500R)

Science Superstars: 30 Brilliant Women Who Changed the World by Jennifer Calvert (509.2C)

The Science of Science Fiction by Matthew Brenden Wood (TEEN 500W)

What If? 2: Additional Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe (500M)

Entertainment: Learn more about the games, movies, and TV shows you love with behind-the-scenes photos and stories and retrospective analyses.

What is Nintendo? by Gina Shaw (CHILDRENS 338.761S)

Star Wars: The Mandalorian Handbook by Matt Jones (CHILDRENS 791.4572J)

Gamer Girls: 25 Women Who Built the Video Game Industry by Mary Kenney, illustrated by Salini Perera (TEEN 794.8092K)

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made by Jason Schreier (794.8S)

Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen by Brian Raftery (791.4309R)

History: Learn the incredible story of World War II Resistance leader Virginia Hall. A Maryland-native, Hall’s work with espionage, reconnaissance, and sabotage were instrumental in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.

Agent Most Wanted: The Never-Before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous Spy of World War II by Sonia Purnell (CHILDRENS B GOILLOT P)

Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall by Heather Demetrios (TEEN 940.5486D)

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell (940.5486P)

Be part of HCLS’ Summer Reading Adventures.

Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys puzzling, reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.

The photograph shows children and a dog outdoors, silhouetted against a purple and red evening sunset.

Reading + Adventure = Summer

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The photograph shows children and a dog outdoors, silhouetted against a purple and red evening sunset.
Photo by Rene Bernal on Unsplash.

by Jean B.

It’s an equation for fun! Add an extra dimension to your summer days by connecting books from the library to a fun adventure in our region. Here are some ideas to get you started — each plan includes a picture book for everyone, a chapter book for family read alouds, and an outing within an hour’s drive.

Word Play

Meet Stegothesaurus (E HEO), the dinosaur with an incredible (inspiring, impressive) vocabulary and encounter an amazing array of words as well as a frightening, formidable, fearsome allosaurus…uh-oh, what’s another word for “trouble”?

Enter a magical library where the books aren’t just full of words, they’re actually alive! In The Lost Books: The Scroll of Kings (CHILDRENS PRI, print and digital audiobook), Alex must learn how to battle the ancient magic in these books and save himself, the library and the kingdom. It’s anything but a quiet day at the library!

Journey to Planet Word, an interactive museum in Washington, DC. You’ll find walls alive with words; a library with a secret door and hidden surprises; and rooms to sing, tell jokes and give a speech.

925 13th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005; Admission free, suggested $15 donation.

History Mysteries

Time travel with Calvert the Raven in The Battle of Baltimore (CHILDRENS FUQ) for a bird’s-eye view of the battle that inspired our national anthem in 1814, right here in Baltimore. Fast forward into the present with the thrilling Capture the Flag (CHILDRENS MES) in which the original Star Spangled Banner has been stolen from the museum! It’s up to Anna, Henry, and Jose to muster all their courage and detective skills to get this historic national treasure back.

Visit the Fort McHenry National Monument, site of the famous battle, where you can explore the historic battlements, cannon, and walls, interact with living history guides, or just have a picnic and enjoy the spectacular view of the Baltimore Harbor.

2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230; open 7 days a week, kids 15 and under are free.

Explorers of the Wild

For an uncharted outdoor adventure, get inspired by Baltimorean Matthew Henson, whose determination led him to be one of the first to find the North Pole. I, Matthew Henson, Polar Explorer (CHILDRENS B HENSON W) offers a breath of cold, Arctic air this summer! Or share the adventure of friends Augie and Wyatt, as they build a fort then face the challenges of living in it with ingenuity, perseverance, and humor, in Fort (CHILDRENS DEF, print and e-audio).

Head to Cunningham Falls State Park, to hike to a waterfall, swim and canoe in a lake, camp, picnic, and fish.

14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont, MD 21788; 8 am to sunset, April-October. See website for daily admission fees and campground/ cabin reservations.

Jean B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch who loves reading books for all ages when she isn’t enjoying the outdoors.

Be part of HCLS’ Summer Reading Adventures.

a collage of the five winning bookmarks from last week.

Bring Your Art Skills: Bookmark Contest 2023

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A collage of the five winning bookmarks from 2022.
2022 HCLS winning bookmarks

We want to see what you can imagine! Draw anything that you love and want to share that uses the given space in interesting ways, and maybe brings a smile to someone’s face. There are no required themes. Our contest runs from May 31 through July 31. Winning bookmarks will be available at all HCLS branches in the fall.

All children in grades K – 12 who live or attend school (or homeschool) in Howard County may enter.

One winner in each category (five total) will be chosen to be printed:
Kindergarten & Grade 1, Grades 2 & 3, Grades 4 & 5, Grades 6 – 8, and Grades 9 – 12

Forms are available at HCLS branches and printable on demand from hclibrary.org.

Some tips include:

Please don’t trace or use copyrighted images (such as from favorite TV shows, movies, or books) or include computer- or AI-generated art. If you include words, check for correct spelling and legibility. Keep text away from edges. In fact, keep all important design details away from the line around the box.

Consider what medium works best for you. Sparkle crayons, gel pens, and neon colors don’t reproduce well and probably won’t be chosen. Make sure that your design is well defined, not sketchy or pale.

Dear adults: This contest is for students, please don’t “help” with anything other than the form.

Best of luck! We look forward to seeing the results of your artistry, creativity, and imagination.

Booker owl in a hot air balloon, which is striped white and green with the Hi circle in blue.

Summer Reading Adventures for Everyone

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Booker owl in a hot air balloon, which is striped white and green with the Hi circle in blue.

by Jean B. and Emily B., Central Branch

Choose your own adventures as you read, explore, and experiment this summer.
Visit hclibrary.org/summer for more details on Summer Reading Adventures for all ages.

GET STARTED
For all ages! Find the summer reading adventure that’s right for you and your family. Separate game boards available for ages 0 – 5, 6 – 10, teens, and adults.

READ & DO ACTIVITIES
Each time you read or do an activity, you complete a step toward finishing the game. Reading includes print books, e-books, audiobooks, magazines — whatever you like!
Find additional activities, book lists, classes, events, and more at hclibrary.org/summer.

WIN A PRIZE
When you complete your adventures (reading and activities), complete a finisher’s form available at any HCLS location or online. Pick up a prize (while supplies last) in person August 1 – 31.

Reading is always an adventure, right? A good book can make you an explorer of a different place, time, perspective, or personality. And you know where to find all kinds of books and knowledgeable “tour guides:” our six library branches. But the 2023 Summer Reading Adventure will take you beyond books and beyond buildings with exciting experiences for children and families. Besides reading together, you can build foundations for literacy and support the skills of young readers with a wide range of activities — whether you’re outside observing nature or inside creating and experimenting. We’re here to feed your adventurous spirit!

If you go to Savage Branch, you can explore the outdoor Storywalk, soaking up the beautiful words and images of Eve Bunting’s Flower Garden and Eric Carle’s Where is the Sun? as you stroll. Nature adventures happen weekly at Central Branch, weather permitting, with Wednesday morning classes on the patio — maybe you’ll observe an itsy-bitsy spider when you sing its song!

Wander through the Enchanted Garden at Miller Branch to find the two new resident foxes and learn their names, while observing the different kinds of flowers, herbs, and vegetables that are growing.

To add sports and engineering into your adventure, help create a giant miniature golf course at Glenwood Branch. You can learn all about the Cardboard Challenge at an information session on June 28, get a starter kit of supplies, and then put your engineering and creative talents to the test as you build your one-of-a-kind mini-golf hole at home. Everyone brings their creations back to the library in July, then plays a community golf game for the record books.

If you’re looking for an adventure in art, head to East Columbia Branch on Wednesday evenings where 6-9 year olds and their adults can learn about great artists from Kahlo to Kandinsky, then create masterpieces. Makers of all ages find fun at Elkridge Branch, where families can work their way through STEM exploration stations, preschoolers can participate in weekly STEAM activities, and teens can create a stop motion movie with LEGO™ blocks. And when the adventure winds down in August, stay tuned for the STEAM Carnival at Miller Branch – an opportunity to share your experiences, projects, and inspiration.
Come to your libraries – adventure awaits!

For Teens:

Join the Quest! Earn treasure as you travel through books, stream music or movies, and have fun with experiments and games. Your local library contains everything you need to succeed. Stop by any branch to receive a gameboard and a Tshirt (while supplies last)! Visit online and in person with your ideas, questions, and enthusiasm.

For Adults:

If you thought that all the Summer Reading fun at the library was just for kids, think again! Visit any library branch to pick up a Reading Journal and participate in our adult Reading Challenge. Each journal contains 13 challenge prompts, intended to guide you through a year of reading.

Not sure what book to read for a certain prompt? A list of suggested titles chosen by our staff is provided for each theme. These challenges offer an opportunity to read outside of your comfort zone, discover new authors, and explore different genres.

To complete your Summer Reading Adventure, finish any three challenges or read three books of your choosing. Between August 1 – 31, visit any HCLS branch to complete a finisher’s card. Finishers are then entered into our end-of-summer prize drawings and receive a limited-edition prize while supplies last.

Kick off your summer reading journey with the online Adult Summer Reading Showcase on Tuesday, June 6 at 7 pm. Join our instructors online as we share our top picks for summer reads. With genre-spanning recommendations, from thrillers to nonfiction and everything in between, you’re bound to learn about some new books and authors of interest. You may find a few titles to add to your TBR (to-be-read) list!

Jean B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch who loves reading books for all ages when she isn’t enjoying the outdoors.

Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys puzzling, reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.

Booker, owl mascot in green sweater, with blocky colorful letters: Summer Reading Adventures. Choose your own adventures as you read, explore, and experiment this summer.

Summer Reading is Fun that is Good For You

Kristen B. 1 Comment
Booker, owl mascot in green sweater, with blocky colorful letters: Summer Reading Adventures

by Michael Martirano, Ed.D., Superintendent of Howard County Public School System

Dear Families,
I’m writing on behalf of many wonderful opportunities that will be occurring this summer with our A+ partner – the Howard County Library System (HCLS). I hope that all of our students will take advantage of the terrific – and free – educational opportunities included in the Howard County Library System Summer Reading program.

Summer Reading Helps Students Achieve
Reading is a critical part of a student’s journey and continuing to improve reading skills over the summer will help prevent the well-known “summer slide” in academic achievement. It’s also a time when students can choose books by authors or in genres they prefer. According to the Brookings Institution, numerous studies show that summer reading programs may also increase reading test scores.

Created in Partnership
HCLS staff consulted with our curricular department in the design of the elementary school game. It’s rich in literacy, touches on several subject areas, and encourages students to explore and deepen their interests. The game for middle and high school students rewards more flexible independent reading and library engagement and is suitable for students of those age groups.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) and HCLS staff collaborate on summer reading lists available at hcpss.org/academics/library-media, in library branches, and at hclibrary.org/summer. Library staff can provide additional suggestions that match anyone’s interests and reading level.

Summer Reading Matches Your Student’s Interests
Reading is not just good for you, it’s fun! HCLS Summer Reading participants are able to participate in free HCLS classes, which include STEAM, art, and more. With a wide range of books in different formats, and hundreds of free enriching classes over the summer, summer reading at the Library can match your student’s interests. There’s an adventure for everyone!

For the Whole Family
As the saying goes: “Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.” Adults can participate in summer reading too, with a great reading journal you can pick up at the library. Read three books this summer and win a tote bag. May your whole family enjoy the adventure of reading all summer long!

Celebrating Success
We hope you finish the game and submit a finisher’s form. You can even opt to share your student’s success with their school. We look forward to congratulating them when they return in the fall!

Visit your local branch or hclibrary.org/summer to receive a gameboard.