Summer Reading: Program at Pohick Inspires Students to Read

When entering Pohick Regional Library in Burke, one only needs to follow the animal-themed stickers taped to the floor to find all of the fun. Following a trail of penguins, frogs, skate-boarding snakes and other colorful animals leads to the summer reading desk, where children from pre-school through 12th grade can sign up to receive prizes for staying active readers while school is out.

More than 45,000 children and teenagers participate annually in the countywide summer reading program, and the program continues to grow each year.

“We of course would like every student in the county to participate,” said Mary Mulrenan, communications specialist for Fairfax County Library.

This year, more than 200 students signed up for the program online within the first hour of its opening on June 21^st.  The program requirements are:

• Younger students, in pre-school through the 6th grade, to read 15 books 
• Students in grades 7 through 12 are asked to read eight books. 

After finishing each book, students can record their progress online or in a pamphlet handed out by the library. At Pohick, student volunteers run the summer reading desk, handing out materials to their fellow readers. After they’ve completed the lists, students can bring in their filled-in log to the library and redeem it for a coupon book, filled with vouchers for free ice cream, discounted skate park passes, and more.

“It’s truly a community program, because businesses support reading in Fairfax County by allowing us to give such great prizes,” Mulrenan said.

All in all, the savings offered in the coupon books for the entire county add up to a total of 400 million dollars worth of prizes.

But it’s not only the promise of prizes that encourages students to read. Popular series, such as "The Ranger’s Apprentice" books by John Flanagan, and "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins keep tweens and teens clamoring to read.

“ 'The Hunger Games' trilogy has hundreds of holds on each book, and have had hundreds of holds for two solid years,” said Carolyn La Chance, who manages Pohick’s children’s services.

Several stand-alone young adult titles have also caused a stir. "Matched" by Ally Condie, a sci-fi romance novel for young adults, is so popular that there are more than 180 holds. "What Happened to Goodbye?" by Sarah Dessen is currently number four on the New York Times best-seller list for children’s chapter books, and has more than 140 holds.

Books that inspired summer movies are also hard to find on shelves, as kids clamor to re-read favorite novels before they hit the big screen. After Hollywood star Jim Carrey played the title role in a film adaptation of the children’s book "Mr. Popper’s Penguins" in June, it’s now hard to find the novel on Pohick’s shelves. 

As the July 15^th release date approaches next week for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II," children have been getting ready for their final encounter with the popular wizard by reading all of J.K. Rowling’s books.

“Kids and adults want to re-read the Harry Potter series before the last movie comes out,” La Chance said.

Younger children also get their inspiration for summer reads from the county’s three suggested reading lists. Pre-schoolers through 2nd-graders and 3rd through 6th-graders read largely off of their age appropriate library lists, according to La Chance.

Though a list is available for teens, middle-school students read largely off of a required reading list put out by Fairfax County Public Schools. Though they are only required to read one book, middle school students have shown their flare for reading by checking out books in droves.

“We put out eight shelves worth of books for middle-school reading," La Chance said. "There are very few books left."

Even though school is out for the summer and textbooks have been put away, students continue to read, thanks to the encouragement of local libraries such as Pohick.

“Over the summer, kids are allowed to read for fun," La Chance said. "In school they read for a purpose, and it may not be exciting for them. Parents may push a little, but once the kids find something interesting and exciting they want to keep reading more."

Summer reading logs are available for children pre-school age through the 12th grade. Students may redeem their summer reading list for one coupon book, which cannot be replaced. Students may also enter an optional drawing, or enter an essay contest for additional prizes. All Fairfax County public libraries are participating.

Pohick Regional Library is located at 6450 Sydenstricker Road in Burke. Additional information may be found online at fairfaxcounty.gov/library.