Reading Is A Life Skill This Summer At Palos Heights Library

Palos Patch kicks off our summer reading series with a look at offerings.

Palos Heights Public Library's Summer Reading Program, which began on June 1 and ends July 23, has something to offer for everyone from voracious young readers, to those just learning their letters.

The program, whose theme this year is "One World, Many Stories", had a record 91 children register for the program on its first day.

"It helps bridge the gap between the end of the school year and the next," Children's Librarian Nora Durbin said about the summer reading program. "This is the time to pick up a book that you actually want to read."

The readers are broken down into age groups, with the first being the "Cruisers"--those not yet old enough to read through kindergartners.

Each group has a set goal, with the "Jetsetters" (grades 6 and up), reading 10 books over the 6-week duration of the program. Each week, participants report on their book log the titles they have read and brings it to the library, where they are entered into a weekly drawing.

Prizes include two tickets to the Windy City Thunderbolts game on Tuesday, August 9. There will also be a grand prize raffle.

"It's a life skill that you use your entire life," says Durbin of reading. "It let's you know what's going on and how to look out for yourself."

Durbin wants to let parents and kids alike know about the many activities planned throughout the summer, which include "Teen Iron Chef", "Lego Builders" and "Read To The Dogs", to name a few. Participants must register before the event.

Did You Know…

• Since June 1, participants have read a total of 1,191 books.

• There are currently 531 readers in the program. 

Some of the most popular books are:

• The Pigeon series by Mo Willems (young readers)

• Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (middle grades)

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (teens)

For more information about the Palos Heights Summer Reading Program visit the library's site. Patch's Event Calendar is also regularly updated with library events.