Although I wasn't homeschooled as a child, I always enjoyed educational experiences at home. My mom was a teacher, so whether she was working or being a stay at home mom, she always stressed the importance of learning. Summer reading was a fun activity that I looked forward to every year. This was back in "the old days", of course, when we had one program for summer reading at the town library. There were no free books to earn at area bookstores, internet resources for reading enhancements, or movies to compliment the popular books. Every vision of characters like "Peter" from Superfudge, or "Ramona" from Beezus and Ramona came strictly from my imagination. Summer reading enabled me to read without comprehension quizzes and time limits. While my son enjoys uninterrupted reading time often, the idea of summer reading lends itself to it's own excitement. We try to participate in several programs, local events and just relish in summer reading fun. Here are some resources for free summer reading programs:

1. Barnes and Noble Bookstore offers an awesome Summer Reading Program. There are supplemental materials to add to your child's participation, featured on the Summer Reading page. The theme, "Imagination's Destination", includes a list of the books your child can earn by reading eight books. Here is the list of free books this summer-

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked by J. E. Bright
Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
Fancy Nancy: Fancy Day in Room 1A by Jane O’Connor
Jorge el curioso: El jonrón by H. A. Rey
Lego Hero Factory: Meet the Heroes by DK Publishing
Martha habla: Martha hornea un pastel by Susan Meddaugh
National Geographic Readers Series: Titanic by Melissa Stewart
American Girl Series: McKenna by Mary Casanova
George Brown, Class Clown #7: by Nancy Krulik
Half Magic by Edward Eager
Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Junonia by Kevin Henkes
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Underworld Series #1: The Battle Begins by Tony Abbott

www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570

2. JourneyForth’s Summer Reading Program is sponsored by BJU Press, and offers the following- Reading logs for tracking your child's progress and daily reading goals, a five day a week reading program for 8 weeks, and after your child completes his or her goals they will receive a free flying disc and be eligible for several prize drawings!

www.bjupress.com/books/summer-reading/

3. Boookworm Wednesdays is a cool program offered at participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex cinemas box offices. Bookworm Wednesdays entitles kids to free admission to a select children's film when they present a book report and accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age receive free admission, too!

www.showcasecinemas.com/programs/kids-and-families/book-worms