Summer at the library is a magical time—sunshine spills through the windows and books fly off the shelves faster than ice cream melts on a summer day. One of the brightest parts of the season? The summer reading book clubs for kids.
Book clubs aren’t just for adults. A well-crafted summer book club for young readers opens up a world of connection, imagination, and learning. It gives kids a space to fall in love with stories and see themselves as readers—and that’s a powerful thing.
Summer can be an isolating time for children who are away from school friends. A book club brings kids together around a shared story, creating a sense of belonging. Whether they’re laughing about a character’s silly mistake or debating what they would have done differently, they’re practicing communication, empathy, and teamwork—all while having fun.
Reading over the summer helps prevent the “summer slide,” the learning loss that can occur when kids are away from school. A book club keeps those reading muscles strong, but it doesn’t feel like homework. When reading is paired with lively discussion, hands-on activities, and a bit of creative fun, it becomes something to look forward to, not just something to check off a list.
There’s something special about finishing a book and then talking about it—sharing your favorite part, asking “what if?” questions, and realizing someone else saw the story in a totally different way. These moments help kids see reading as a dynamic, social, and joyful experience. When kids feel seen and heard as readers, they’re more likely to keep reading long after summer ends.
At the heart of every book club is the idea that stories bring people together. And what better place to gather than at the library? Book clubs support our mission to foster curiosity, build community, and empower young minds. Every chapter read, every conversation sparked, every creative activity inspired by a story helps grow a child’s confidence and love for learning.
This summer, we have two book clubs planned for elementary students.
In June, we are reading The Box Car Children, which has a Lexile of 490. In July, we are reading Because of Winn-Dixie, which has a Lexile of 670. We will meet on Monday mornings at 11 a.m.
Let the pages turn and the fun begin!