SF Public Library Makes Reading Fun This Summer
The San Francisco Public Library’s summer reading program launches June 1. It helps make reading fun and engaging, which is critical to fight the summer slump where kids lose academic exposure and start slipping.
The Joys of Reading
Think back on your fondest reading memories. For me, I can close my eyes and conjure just what it felt like sneaking around with a book and a flashlight, winning a pizza party for reading the most books, attending the book fair, reading with family, acting out scenes, and rereading favorites. These experiences made me such a lifelong reader that I have the word “bookworm” tattooed on my knuckles.
For some parents and caregivers, reading is an ominous cloud. They know it’ll help their kids and they know it’s important, but books are buried under other summer play options and the siren song of screen time.
Why Summer Stride Helps Young Readers
That’s why programs like Summer Stride are so helpful. Kids can track their hours, find new recommendations, and participate in events and workshops that bring pages to life.
Due to budget cuts, this year your child won’t come home with the materials to get them started. You’ll have to visit one of the library branches instead. Here’s a map in case you don’t know your nearest one, and the library even put together recommendations of nearby cafes and activities for each branch.
How to Participate in Summer Stride
To participate in Summer Stride, all you need is to track how many hours you read. For audiobook lovers and comic book aficionados, don’t worry – those count too! The library lets you track reading in three ways:
- Track 20 hours of reading, listening to audiobooks or participating in any Library activity on the Summer Stride tracker.
- Log your progress virtually on Beanstack.
- Complete a Summer Stride SFPL Bingo Card.
- Summer Stride Bingo Card in Chinese | Bingo Card in Filipino | Bingo card in Spanish
Summer Stride Artist Kenard Pak
Once you’ve done that, you can visit a library to get a special prize with artwork from local artist Kenard Pak. That’s one of the cool facets about the Summer Stride program. They choose fantastic local artists to create the collateral for the event, bridging reading with artwork.
According to Pak, the artwork for 2025 was inspired by “walking barefoot in the grass, standing at the edge of a road, gazing at the moon.” How dreamy is that?
Tips for Reading
Getting kids excited about reading is easy. Here are some tips if you’re struggling (and guess what? These work for adults, too!):
- Make a cozy reading nook. Having a warm, soft environment to snuggle up with a book makes a world of difference. You can designate a spot on the couch, build a reading fort, or put together a backpack with a pillow and visit your local park to find the perfect tree to read under.
- Read what you like. If you’re drawn to rom-coms on Netflix or can’t get enough of How It’s Made, use that interest to guide your book selection. Don’t just pick up what everyone else is reading – although getting a recommendation from a friend can be thrilling in its own right.
- Make reading engaging in your own way. For some, that means comic books and manga. For others, it’s putting on an audiobook while doing a puzzle or knitting. If you own the book at hand, I find that annotating and using sticky notes and pens to write commentary makes me feel the perfect blend of studious and a bit naughty.
- Find a way to bring the text to life. If you’re reading a book about dogs, visit the SFPCA. If the book has a certain food, find a recipe and cook it so that you can feel like you’re part of the show. Fun fact, the Redwall series is notorious for having such rich food descriptions because the author was a milkman for a school for the blind. He understood how important detailed description can be.
- Reread a favorite from the past. Sometimes even stories we know by heart can teach us a new lesson. Or if that’s not your style or you didn’t grow up reading much, consider finding a new version of a classic story. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs is a great example of a retelling that will have you roaring with laughter.
Most importantly, remember reading unlocks worlds. Especially with fascism on the rise, it’s a critical skill that can’t be outsourced or forgotten. Now go get your Summer Stride started!
PS: if you’re an adult who looks back on these challenges with a confusing combination of nostalgia and envy, consider Friends and Neighbors x Green Apple Books Summer Reading Challenge, which starts in late June 2025.
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