Summer of Reading

The Week Junior wants kids to enjoy reading all summer!

Welcome to our 2025 Summer of Reading campaign! We asked hundreds of children from across the country what middle-grade books they enjoy most to create The 50 Books Kids Love Most list. We hope these picks will keep your child excited to read all summer.

Enter to win books!

We’re challenging kids to read three books this summer (any books they like!) and enter our sweepstakes. Five kids will win books. Winners will be drawn at random, and the deadline to apply is August 9. Find the entry form here. Happy reading!

Meet the authors!

The Week Junior invites children ages 8 to 14 to our first-ever virtual book event on June 12 at 7 p.m. ET.

Kids will hear from four acclaimed middle-grade authors who have exciting new books coming out this summer. They will also discover how authors come up with story ideas, make revisions, and illustrate their work.

We’ll accept questions from children before and during the event. We hope to see you and your young reader there!

More Summer of Reading fun!

• Kids can start their own book club! Check out the tips, and browse popular titles at The Week Junior Book Club!
• Big debate: Should you read a book more than once?
• Make a painted bookmark! This easy craft is fun for kids to do on their own or with a group.
• Create bookends! Children can use them to display their favorite books.

Why is it so important for kids to read for pleasure?

• Reading for pleasure builds brain function, vocabulary, and concentration. Students who read for 20 minutes a day encounter 1.8 million words a year, significantly boosting their vocabularies.
• It builds empathy and connects children to people and places beyond their experience. Research shows that 74% of kids say reading helps them understand the world.
• It unlocks the door to learning for a lifetime. The key is to let children read what they want and to make it joyful and fun. Join in and see what happens!

From everyone at The Week Junior, happy summer!