Ultimate Guide to Summer Reading Programs Around Charleston

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Summertime is upon us! Time to let littles relax and have fun…playing outdoors, staying up late, and reading!

Reading? YES!

Research shows that kids who do not read over the summer can suffer from the “summer slide” or “brain drain.” Did you know that the loss of reading skills during the summer months is cumulative? These losses add up!

We know it can be difficult to get your children to read when they are supposed to be on a “break” from all things school, but check out these resources and events going on this summer…hopefully, these events will help make reading and learning over the summer break a little easier for you and your children!

P.S. – Don’t forget to be a reading role model! Take time for yourself this summer to sit in a hammock and READ! Magazines, comic books, catalogs, cookbooks – reading is reading and if your children see you reading, chances are they will want to read too! Need some book suggestions for you or the kiddos? We’ve got you covered at the bottom of this post!


Charleston County Public Library Tails & Tales

This summer, read something-a book, magazine, newspaper, graphic novel, anything! Register and start logging your reading at ccpl.org/summeronline. The more you read and log, the more prizes you could win!


Dorchester County Read to Me 2022

The Read-to-Me Summer Reading Challenge is designed for kids between the ages of 0 and 5 to encourage life-long reading habits. Your challenge is to complete a reading activity or attend a library program for 40 days throughout the summer program. Every day of participation counts as an entry into our Grand Prize drawing. Register here or in person at your local library. All of the programs take place between June 15 – August 16.

The Kids Summer Reading Challenge is designed for kids between the ages of 6 and 8 to encourage life-long reading habits. Your challenge is to complete a reading activity or attend a library program for 40 days throughout the summer program. Every day of participation counts as an entry into our Grand Prize drawing.

The Tween Summer Reading Challenge is designed for tweens between the ages of 9 and 11 to encourage life-long reading habits. Your challenge is to complete a reading activity or attend a library program for 40 days throughout the summer program. Every day of participation counts as an entry into our Grand Prize drawing.

Berkeley County Library Summer Reading Program

  • Pre-Registration Starts: May 23
  • Summer Reading Program Starts: June 6
  • Prizes Can Be Redeemed Starting: June 13
  • Summer Reading Program Ends: August 1
  • Prizes must be redeemed by: August 8

Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, children, teens, and adults can all participate! Children too young to read by themselves are welcome to participate by having a parent or caretaker sign them up and read to them.


Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

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.


Scholastic Summer Read-A-Palooza

The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers kids an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer, keeping every child reading.


Clemson University Summer Reading Program

This summer, help your child become a confident, enthusiastic reader in the Summer Reading Skills Programs, offered by Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning. Classes are taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development.


Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of research-based reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Reading Rockets assist parents, teachers, and other educators in helping struggling readers build ­fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. This is not a summer reading program, but a great website to get ideas and book lists.


Sync FREE Audio Books for Teens Ages 13+

Returning Spring 2022, SYNC gives participants two thematically paired audiobooks each week. Titles are all available worldwide and change every Thursday at midnight Eastern Time during the season.


There you go! There are many choices for summer reading – don’t make yourself crazy doing all of the summer reading programs. The most important thing you can do this summer to promote reading at home is to give your child TIME to read what they want. Check out some of our other posts that have great book suggestions for adults and kids!

Our 5 Favorite Books (Toddler Approved & Mom Tolerated)
Kid Recommended Books for Your Child’s Collection
4 Audiobooks to Share with Your Daughters
5 Books That Changed My Parenting Perspective
More Books That Changed My Parenting Perspective
13 Black History Month Picture Books For Kids
Resource Roundup :: Books For Children & Teens About Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion

Happy reading!