Studies have shown that reading just 5 books over the summer break can prevent learning loss for students returning to school in the fall. 

To help students stay ahead, State Representative Jim Durkin is sponsoring a Summer Reading Club for kids, a program that encourages fun and educational reading for young people during their break from school. The reading club challenges students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to read at least eight books on their own during the summer. Participants choose their own books and keep track of their reading. The students have until July 27 to complete the program.

Those who read all eight books and submit their forms by the deadline will be invited to a special recognition ice cream social hosted by Rep. Durkin on August 8, 2018. Each child will also receive an official certificate of recognition from the Illinois House of Representatives.

What you should know about summer learning loss

When young people aren’t engaged in educational activities during the summer, they experience learning loss. Summer learning loss erases gains made during the school year, but summer reading programs keep kids growing.

Summer reading loss is cumulative. By the end of 6th grade, children who consistently lose reading skills over the summer will be two years behind their classmates. However, students who participated in a summer reading program had better reading skills at the end of third grade and scored higher on standardized tests than students who did not participate.

In a study of fourth graders, the students who read for fun every day scored the highest on reading assessment tests.

How to join Rep. Jim Durkin’s Summer Reading Club

Parents can download the Summer Reading Club brochure or pick one up at one of the following public libraries:

• Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien
• Homer Township Pubic Library, 14320 W. 151st Street, Homer Glen
• Lemont Public Library, 50 E. Wend Street, Lemont
• Thomas Ford Library, 800 Chestnut Street, Western Springs

Additionally, forms can be completed and submitted online.

For more information about this program, contact Rep. Durkin’s office at 630-325-2028 or through his website.