Summer provides a wonderful window for families to cultivate a true love of reading — guided by your values, your child’s curiosities, and your home environment rather than external mandates. In addition to GSHE’s monthly reading challenges (check our blog for the latest), here’s an expanded list of programs offering incentives to encourage young readers.
These programs are optional tools — not requirements. Use them to support the interests you know best nurture your children, whether history, science, literature, or biographies. Pair with family read-alouds, library visits, nature journaling, or real-world projects to keep learning personal, joyful, and free from institutional mandates.
If you’d like encouragement and ideas for reading together as a family, you may also enjoy:
Read Alouds: Benefits, Research, and Favorite Books – Part 1
Read Alouds: Tips and Favorite Books – Part 2
Encourage reading that sparks genuine curiosity and joy. Parents remain the best guides for their children’s minds and hearts.
Finding Books on a Budget
Your local library is a great place to start, including access to interlibrary loan (ILL) programs.
GSHE members also have access to a wide range of free book and audiobook resources through the GSHE Resource Directory. Create a free account at gshenh.org/join to explore options such as:
- Amazon e-books for children
- Ben and Me (free Kindle books for children)
- Libby by OverDrive
- LibriVox (public-domain audiobooks)
- NH Downloadable Books Consortium
- Project Gutenberg
- Storyberries (especially helpful for younger readers)
Summer Reading Programs
Local New Hampshire Libraries
Local libraries remain one of the strongest free resources. Many run 2026 programs with themes like “Plant a Seed, Read” (iREAD) or “Unearth a Story!” using Beanstack for tracking, plus events, prizes, and community activities. Find your local library through the state library directory, visit your town library’s website or call for details — most run mid-June through August.
National & Retail Programs
- Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program — Kids in grades 1–6 read 8 books, log them in the journal (with recommendations and stickers), and redeem for one free book from the featured list. Journals available in-store. Runs roughly July 1 – August 31, 2026.
- Books-a-Million Summer Reading Adventure — Pick up a log in-store, read featured titles, and earn prizes like stickers, toys, or other rewards while supplies last.
- Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards — Complete the Reading Rewards Calendar by logging books to earn 10 free play points. Fun way to mix reading with activity.
- Good & Beautiful Summer Reading Program — Online summer reading bundle or resources. Limit one per child; starts early May 2026.
- Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp — Kids up to age 18 earn Bookworm Bucks (spendable in-store) for reading and participating in June and July. Grab logs and activity sheets.
- Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer of Stories — A classic favorite! Enroll via the app (pre-K through 6th grade). Parents set monthly goals; kids earn a free single-topping Personal Pan Pizza per month met (limits apply). Runs June 1 – August 31, 2026. Enrollment opened in early May.
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Summer Reading Challenge — Free resources from the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit. Includes book lists, e-books, interactive activities, scavenger hunts, and digital badges. Flexible and parent-led — ideal for creating your own family challenges.
- Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge — Free digital program with tracking, stories, games, and community features. Runs roughly April–September and supports book donations.
