Take it from a pint-sized pro. Esther Appelstein—a local student, avid reader, and Scholastic Kids Press Corps reporter—highly recommends the St. Louis County Library’s summer reading program.
“During the summer, I like to read as much as I can,” Appelstein says. “Since I’m usually very busy during the school year, I don’t have as much time to read.”
With SLPL’s summer reading program, kids and teens can sign up and track their reading for prizes. Older teens can also arrange their own discussions with Book Club in a Bag: Choose from more than 200 titles, and reserve your kit, which includes 15 copies of the book, insightful discussion questions, and information about the author.
“I really enjoy participating,” says Appelstein, who’s been going to the library for years. “They have reading clubs with lots of great prizes and drawings.” (She won a Kindle Fire from a drawing.)
“The Kirkwood [Public] Library summer reading club is another one of my favorites,” she adds. “It takes a few more hours to complete, but there are many more options for prize drawings.”
In fact, most area libraries—including branches of the Muncipal Library Consortium, the St. Louis County Library, and the St. Charles City-County Library—offer outstanding options for both beginning and avid readers.
Too young to join a reading club? Head to the Daniel Boone Branch’s new Discovery Room. An entire floor is dedicated to children and includes a slide, an oversized light wall, large touch screens, a playhouse, reading nooks, and a separate quiet room.
Diversity in Reading
After frequenting EyeSeeMe, a bookstore in University City that serves as a resource for parents and educators about outstanding African-American children’s books, Sidney Keys III and his mom, Winnie Caldwell, founded Books n Bros, a monthly book club for African-American boys ages 8 to 12. Each month, members receive a member-ship box with a book and worksheet to be completed before each meeting. $25 per month.
Reading Camps at COCA
Many of COCA’s camp offerings are centered around books, including “Bedtime Stories” (July 9–13, ages 3–5), which interprets sleepy favorites through art and performance; “Give Me Goosebumps,” an immersive experience of R.L. Stine’s beloved and chilling tales (July 30–August 3, ages 6–7); and “Hogwarts Journey Continues” (July 16–20, ages 8–10), which lets fans of The Boy Who Lived develop a script and set for a fantastical play. COCA, 524 Trinity.
Editor's note: This post was updated to reflect that Appelstein highly recommends the St. Louis County Library's summer reading program, not the St. Louis Public Library's program.
