Summer Reading Resources

Ways to Access Books

• KCLS Overdrive Access: All students have online access to the Teen section of books on KCLS using their school lunch number.

Card #: 403+6 digit Lunch Number

PIN: Last four digits of Lunch Number

• All-Access KCLS Library Card: Students can also get library cards that will give them access to physical books or books from other sections of the library.
• SPL Library Card: Most people who live, work or go to school in King County can get a free Library card and get instant access to Library materials and resources.
• Resources via DMS: Dimmitt Middle School has a few different ways you can access books online. You can learn more about these options here: https://rentonschools.instructure.com/courses/8838 

Summer Reading Resources

• KCLS Summer Reading Program: This program allows students to track their summer reading in order to earn prizes! It starts June 1st.
• KCLS Book Chats for Kids (for ages 7-12): Book Chats occur weekly throughout the summer. Using the weekly theme as a prompt, students read a book and then at Book Chats they share with others about their reading. This creates reading goals, provides recommended reading from peers, and builds the social aspect of reading for students.
• KCLS Reading Buddies (for Grades K-6): With a Reading Buddy volunteer and based on reading levels, students read aloud to practice fluency and comprehension. Reading Buddy events regularly throughout the year.
• KCLS Battle of the Books (on June 25th): At this event, students will be tested on their knowledge of this year’s Battle of the Books titles:
• El Deafo by Cece Bell
• Holes by Louis Sachar 
• Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
• Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
• Loot by Jude Watson
• The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Students can create small teams or go it solo. There are prizes for the winners! This is a great way to engage in a friendly reading competition and motivate summer reading!

• SPL Summer Book Bingo: This summer reading challenge gives students prompts of types of books to read which fulfill the Bingo requirement. Students have until September 6th, 2022 to complete a Bingo or a Blackout and enter their card into a drawing for a prize! The site linked explaining the card includes ideas for finding book recommendations. You do not need a Seattle Public Library Card to participate. However, you can get an SPL card if you live in King County here.
• SPL Summer of Learning (published in June): Each year, Seattle Public Libraries offers programming to engage students in community and reading opportunities. The 2022 Summer of Learning hasn’t been published yet, but it will any day now!
• Scholastic Summer Reading Program: Home Base: This gamified reading experience from Scholastic allows students to create an avatar and play games based on books, all while competing to read the most books through the summer. It has them track their reading, and it provides free ebooks.
• Half-Price Books Summer Reading Camp Activities: Half-Price Books provides various activities to help engage students in reading over the summer, including a Book Scavenger Hunt which can help them identify books they may be interested in!
• SYNC Free Audiobooks for Teens: 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. Titles are accessible in  Sora, the student reading app from OverDrive. Sora is available in your browser at soraapp.com, or as an app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. This is a great way to access audiobooks during the summer!
• Barnes & Noble Top 100 Summer Reads for Teens: If your student is struggling with what to read, this list could be a great place to start! Most titles are available through the KCLS library.

KCLS Author Talks: KCLS hosts authors throughout the year to come and speak about their book and their writing process. This is a great way to get students engaged in reading by motivating them with the opportunity to meet the author once they’ve finished their books! Be sure to register for the event beforehand.

• June Author Talks: During the month of June, there are two Author Talks geared towards teens, and they are both celebrations of Pride Month!
• Lev AC Rosen - June 28th @4pm: In honor of Pride Month, join a discussion with Lev Rosen, author of Jack of Hearts and Camp.

Writing Opportunities

• KCLS FanFic Workshops: Practice creative writing skills over the summer with these Fan Fiction writing workshops!
• A Starting Point
•  Writing Alternate Universes
• GIving & Receiving Critique

What is your plan to continue reading through the summer?