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Summer Reading For Academic Success

  • Writer: Leena Kasa
    Leena Kasa
  • Aug 12
  • 3 min read

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Summer break means kids get a well-earned break from the fast-paced school year filled with assignments and tests. It’s a chance to recharge after a year of hard work and enjoy activities that they may not have time for during the school year. However, this extended break can lead to the “summer slide” – a loss in academic progress that can set kids back once the new school year begins. The good news is that kids don’t need to be enrolled in formal summer programs to keep learning — especially when it comes to reading skills. Summer reading programs, even home-based ones, have been shown to boost reading abilities. Participation in these programs offers even greater benefits for students from low-income backgrounds.1,2 Summer reading can be a pivotal intervention for students in Philadelphia, where only 17% of students performed at or above the proficient level for the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress and only 39% performed above the Basic level.3

The most significant benefit of participating in summer reading is not only preventing loss of academic progress, but also advancing reading skills so that kids can start the next school year with a strong foundation and greater confidence. Regular reading builds vocabulary and language skills, which also support writing and communication. It strengthens focus and critical thinking abilities, which benefits both academic and non-academic pursuits. Reading across a variety of genres allows students to engage with experiences different from their own, helping develop empathy, social skills, and emotional intelligence.4

School time can be stressful enough and the idea of summer reading may sound like extra homework for students who may already be burnt out from the school year. Luckily, most summer reading programs understand that the best way to encourage summer reading is through fun activities. The Free Library of Philadelphia has a Summer of Wonder Program, through which students of all grade levels can use activity maps to track their reading and participation in library activities. The map is available in English and Spanish and kids are incentivized to complete maps for prizes. There is also an activity guide tailored for teens which can also be completed for prizes and even be entered into a raffle for a grand prize. The library hosts numerous events to encourage reading such as silent book clubs or reading to a therapy dog. As part of their “Summer of Wonder” Program, the libraries are also offering free summer lunches for kids on weekdays until August 15th and family fun activity sessions. You can see a full list of upcoming library events here.

For parents interested in setting up a summer reading routine at home, the National Education Association (NEA) has a Get Serious about Summer Reading Toolkit. This provides resources on how to encourage reading over the summer, recommended reading lists, and summer reading challenges for students to participate in. One of the opportunities highlighted in the toolkit is the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal, which is available in both English and Spanish. This program challenges students to read 8 books and write a short statement about their favorite part of each book. After completing the journal, they can choose a free book as a reward! The toolkit also offers guidance for families who read in multiple languages, need help selecting anti-bias children’s books, or are reading with children with disabilities.

Summer is an important time for students to take a break from academic demands, but it's also a valuable opportunity to maintain progress in a low-pressure, enjoyable way. Whether through a reading program or simply encouraging reading at home, there are many ways for kids to benefit from summer reading. By using games, achievable goals, and small rewards, reading can feel fun and exciting. That way, when the new school year begins, kids will feel both rejuvenated and prepared with the skills they need to succeed. 



Links to Summer Reading Programs and Tools: 


Free Library of Philadelphia Summer of Wonder Program 

Free Library of Philadelphia Events Calendar 

Get Serious about Summer Reading Toolkit (NEA)


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