Reading for fun, prizes
All it takes for area youths to be world famous detectives, or travel through time via a magic tree house this summer is their imagination, a good book and enrolling in a summer reading program.
The Spokane Public and County libraries, Liberty Lake’s Municipal Library, Barnes & Noble and Hastings all offer incentives to keep children of any age reading over the summer.
Youths participating in the Spokane Public and County Library collaborative program Get a Clue become library detectives. The program theme depicts mysteries with illustrations by Mark Teague, author of “Letters from the Investigation,” and “Dear Mrs. Larue” and “Letters from Obedience School,” featuring Ike, the loveable dog detective.
Children up to age 18 participating in the program must read 15 books then write the title of each book on a special reading log. Reading logs are available at any library or www.summerreadingspokane.org. To claim a prize, readers bring completed logs to any library branch before Aug. 31.
Each child who successfully finishes the program receives a free pass to see the T-Rex named Sue exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Culture along with a prize from the mystery box. In addition, all finishers get their name added to the library summer reading wall of fame on a police detective shield.
“They cover the walls of every library by the end of summer,” said Gwendolyn Haley, County Library youth services supervisor. “The kids get to see their name up there as a super reader.”
Last year, more than 2,600 children finished the County Library’s program. This year, Haley anticipates that number to increase.
“It has consistently grown every year,” Haley said. “I would anticipate a couple thousand again this year. The library has something for everybody all in one place.”
The district plans several special programs centering on the Get a Clue theme. Fingerprint Frenzy, It’s a Mystery and SCAT: Signs, Clues and Tracks are some of the selections offered beginning Monday.
The Liberty Lake’s Municipal Library offers a different approach to their summer reading Get a Clue program. Instead of the number of books read, children track the number of minutes they read. After every four hours of reading, they select a prize from the treasure chest. If children read a total of 16 hours, they receive a free book.
Barnes & Noble’s Magic Tree House Summer reading program encourages kids to travel along with “Tree House” characters Jack and Annie. Based on the chapter book series by Mary Pope Osborne, each child receives a passport to log all the “Magic Tree House” books they completed over the summer.
“There are 40 in the series,” said store manager Leslie Rabinowitz. “As they read a book we give them a sticker to place in their passport.”
The program is not restricted to the Osborne series. Any eight books qualify for the program. The only stipulation is each entry requires a parent’s signature along with a brief description of their favorite part of the story.
“I don’t think there is anything more important than sharing the love of reading with a child,” said Rabinowitz.
Hastings offers readers a summer book club. Membership is free and open to anyone up to 18 years of age.
“They just have to come in and pick up a membership card,” said sales associate Aaron Duncan.
Participants who write short book reports are eligible to win a $100 gift certificate to Hastings. In addition, children can write an essay of 200 words or less on “What does reading mean to you?” or “What is your favorite book and why?” for a chance to win a computer.