Summer is the perfect time to discover new stories, explore new ideas, and keep growing as a reader. Whether your child loves dinosaurs, mysteries, sports, or graphic novels, every book they read helps build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and spark imagination.
Worcester County Public Schools encourages all students and families to make reading part of their summer routine by participating in one—or all—of these exciting reading opportunities. From local library adventures to national reading challenges, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged while earning prizes and making memories along the way.
White House Summer Reading Challenge
The White House Summer Reading Challenge encourages children and families across the country to make reading a daily habit throughout the summer. Students are invited to set personal reading goals, track their progress, and celebrate the joy of reading.
Whether reading independently, listening to audiobooks, or enjoying stories together as a family, every minute spent reading helps children strengthen literacy skills while fostering a lifelong love of books.
When you finish 12 books, parents/guardians can submit the reading log for children to receive a personalized certificate, an America 250th anniversary-themed bookmark, and a special link to receive a prize! Children will also be entered for a chance to visit our nation’s capital and the White House with a chaperone. (Terms and conditions apply.)
Unearth a Story with Worcester County Library
This year's Worcester County Library Summer Reading Program, "Unearth a Story," invites readers to dig into a summer filled with books, discovery, history, and adventure.
Now through August 23, participants can:
Log reading minutes throughout the summer.
Complete fun hands-on activities inspired by dinosaurs, archaeology, exploration, and history.
Earn badges, points, prizes, and chances to win additional rewards.
Help the community reach its goal of 510,000 minutes read this summer.
The program is open to readers of all ages, making it a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to participate together. Visit your local Worcester County Library branch or the library's website to register and learn more.
Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer of Stories
Now through August 31, families with children in Pre-K through 6th Grade can also participate in Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! Summer of Stories program.
Using the free BOOK IT! app, parents can:
Enroll now through the program's end in August
Set monthly reading goals for each child.
Track reading progress throughout the summer.
Readers can earn a free Personal Pan Pizza® each month a reading goal is achieved. It's a fun way to celebrate reading while enjoying a well-earned reward.
Books for Bill with Navy Athletics
Older elementary, middle, and high school readers can also participate in Books for Bill, a summer reading program sponsored by Navy Athletics.
Students who read 10 books over the summer become eligible for several exciting rewards, including:
Free admission to a designated Navy football game.
Discounted tickets for family members.
A certificate signed by the Navy Football Head Coach.
A postgame photo opportunity with Bill the Goat, the Navy mascot.
Additional sponsor giveaways.
It's a unique opportunity to combine a love of reading with an unforgettable college athletics experience. For more, visit https://www.worcesterk12.org/article/2855350.
Keep the Story Going All Summer
Reading doesn't stop when school lets out. In fact, just 20 minutes of reading each day can help students maintain and even improve the literacy skills they've built throughout the school year.
Whether your child participates in one challenge or all four, every page turned is another opportunity to learn, imagine, and grow.
At Worcester County Public Schools, we believe Every Story Matters. Every Child Belongs. This summer, we invite every student to discover new adventures, explore new worlds, and write the next chapter of their own story—one book at a time.