With all the end-of-the-school-year madness right now, I’m sure I’m not the only one fantasizing about spending leisurely summer days reading some good books. (True admission: I have to go to the library today to pick up a book I requested months ago. I’ve left it until the last day before the hold expires because I was trying to delay as long as possible before my two weeks to read it since I don’t see how I can possibly finish it in the next two weeks with everything else I have and hate to think about having to go back to being #427 on the waiting list, which means that the book will probably come to me again right at the end of August when I’m almost equally busy getting ready for next year’s class to start!)
However, you may have to act now to get your child into some of the more popular summer reading programs, which can fill up quickly.
Sign-ups begin on June 1 for the summer B.I.R.D.S. program at my favorite independent book store, Quail Ridge Books. This very popular program for 5-7 year olds begins July 7, and runs for five Tuesday nights from 7-8 pm. There is a $20 charge for the entire program. Registrants receive 20% on any B.I.R.D.S. books purchased. Check out their website here.
Sign-ups have already begun for summer writing camps with my friend, Casey Izzet, at Young Writers’ Institute. Ms. Casey has fun but instruction half-day camps for grades 2-12, with both creative writing and academic skill development options for the middle and high schoolers. But since she restricts her camps to only 6 students to ensure plenty of individual attention, you had better act quickly to snag your spot! For more information, see her summer camp page here
What ever else you do, you don’t want to miss participating in the annual summer reading program at the Wake County Public Libraries. Their theme this year is close to our Heroic U hearts: Every Hero Has a Story. There are programs and prizes for everyone from toddlers to adults, and what could be better than reading stories about heroes? For more information, check out the Summer Reading Program page here.
So there are a few resources to get you started on summer. Back to the May grindstone for me, but coming in June will be updates on my personal summer reading!