“… the best predictor of summer loss or summer gain is whether or not a child reads during the summer. And the best predictor of whether a child reads is whether or not he or she has access to books.” – Allington, Richard L. and McGill-Franzen, Anne. “Bridging the Summer Reading Gap,” Scholastic Instructor (2003, May/June).
This summer Marion County is arming our children with books to battle Summer Brain Drain! Did you know a child only has to read four to six books to keep them on grade level for the next year?
Marion County Public Schools may be facing budget issues, preventing them from opening the school libraries this summer, but that’s not stopping them from getting books into the hands of their students. According to Miriam Needham, Coordinator of Library Media Services, they are proud to share that they are allowing students to check out up to 10 books from the school libraries to take home over the summer. Last summer they began this practice with great success and they are excited to do it again. For families who have access to the internet, they have even more books available online. (Find other free online books here.) Want to keep track of the books you read and your progress made? Here is a reading log that will earn you a free book!
Did the books from school not satisfy your little one’s appetite for reading? Are you excited to embark on your own summertime reading adventure? Marion County Public Libraries have just the fizz, the boom, the excitement you always wanted! You can meet the magical authors who transport you into another world! There will be story time, prizes, gift bags… and don’t forget to bring your eye patch and hook. Treasure hunts of yore used old worn maps, with corners torn and edges frayed… boy would those pirates be jealous, because you get to hunt for treasure using GPS! A geocaching treasure hunt for prizes awaits, matey! Now listen up little pirates, no need to beg the family, the library knows that nearly every pirate loves ice cream! So bring your swashbuckling self on over to the library… sweet goodness and adventure awaits!
Sometimes, adventure isn’t enough. Some of us need… a little competition. As the author, Suzanne Collins, so famously wrote: “May the odds be ever in your favor”!
LIVE UNITED
Are you as passionate about reading as we are? Come read with children in the community! The United Way is always in search of new Reading Pals, so give us a call at 352-732-9696 to sign up. You can always simply dial 2-1-1 to learn about literacy volunteer opportunities close to home.
211 UWMC 
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