Teens Summer Reading
Summer Reading Program
Summer Reading is for everyone!
Why Summer Reading?
Studies have shown that Summer Reading for Kids and Teens:
- Advances literacy and academic performance by engaging children and teens in reading and reading-related activities during the summer months.
- Helps children and teens retain information learned during the school year and develop critical thinking skills.
- Helps improve comprehension, memory skills and vocabulary.
- Fosters a love of reading through library programs and services.
- Increases successful reading experiences through librarian-supported, self-selected, voluntary reading.
- Involves parents and all family members in the library summer reading experience.
- Improves children’s access to library materials and activities, which will encourage them to become lifelong readers and library users.
- Fosters the exploration of new interests based on exposure to various activities in books
- It’s fun and you can win prizes!
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2026
Summer Reading at Fort Bragg Library…
This year, we are participating in the PLANT A SEED, READ iRead Summer Reading program, from June 13th through August 8th. During this time, we’ll have special events, story times and themed crafts. Participants can record their reading and activities on provided logs then turn them in for a Cowlick’s gift certificate and a free book.
How can you participate?
Just drop into the library, pick up a reading log and start recording your reading/activity time. Once you record a combo of reading/activities totaling 15 hours, bring your filled out log into the library for your Cowlick’s gift certificate and your free book.
Also, students, ages 5 and up, can participate in the Dive Into Reading program sponsored by the City of Fort Bragg to earn CV Starr swim passes. Just pick up a form at CV Starr and bring it with you to the library. Then check out ten books to read and the library will attach your receipt to the reading log. Once you’ve read the books, take your completed form to CV Starr for your free pass. You can get multiple passes throughout the summer by reading more books. For more information, contact CV Starr or the City of Fort Bragg.
2026 Teen Printable Reading Log
Registro de lectura imprimible para adolescentes 2026
Besides reading, what else goes on during Summer Reading?
Not only do we like to encourage everyone to read during the summer but summers are full of activities. And many of those can be found at the library!
Check out our Summer Reading Activity schedule:
FBL 2026 Summer Reading Events Brochure
FBL 2026 Folleto de eventos de lectura de verano
JUNE EVENTS
Saturday, June 13—Summer Reading Kick-off. Be one of the first people to sign up for the Summer Reading game and get special prizes. And at 3 p.m. welcome back Magical Nathaniel! His high-energy magic show includes audience volunteers.
Saturday, June 13, 3-4 pm—Magic Show. Join us as we welcome back Magical Nathaniel! This high-energy magic show includes audience volunteers.
Saturday, June 20, 3 p.m. Hydroponics Made Easy. Transform a recycled bottle into a mini-garden that needs only light, air, and nutrient-rich water to grow. For ages 10 to 18. Space is limited, so please sign up in advance.
Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m. Sinister Science. Professor Shirley Seau and Dr. Shirley Knott will teach kids 5 and older how to build bug hotels.
JULY EVENTS
Teen Dungeons & Dragons—3-5 p.m. on these Wednesdays: July 1, 15, and 29. For ages 12 to 18.
Saturday, July 11, 3 p.m.—Coventry & Kaluza. These award-winning circus comedians bring a variety of skills and thrills to their show, which features juggling, acrobatics, music, comedy, and “high numbers” hula-hooping.
Saturday, July 18, 3-4 p.m.—Meet a Gardener. Phoebe Hanson of Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens will talk about growing vegetables, and then the kids (ages 5 to 11) will do a fun gardening activity.
Saturday, July 25, 2-4 p.m.—Farm to Fable and Fairytale STEM. Back-to-back STEM activities, about fairytales and nursery rhymes, and farming and gardening. The first hour is for ages 3+, the second for kids 5 to 11. Sign-ups required for that second hour.
AUGUST EVENTS
Saturday, August 1, 3-4 p.m. Origami & Seeds. Alan Foss of Fort Bragg Garden Club will show kids eight and older how to use origami to make seed packets and pots. (All supplies provided.)
Sat, August 8, 10 a.m. Wild Things. Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with animal ambassadors from five continents and hear their extraordinary personal stories.
Ongoing:
SUMMER ART
Ages 2 to 17, create visual art that fits the “Plant a Seed, Read” theme. All art mediums are welcome. Pick up an entry form at the Check-Out Desk, then turn it in with your artwork by Friday, August 7th. Art will be displayed in the library beginning August 8th through Labor Day.
Need help deciding what to read?
Teen recommendations:
2024
Kids and teens, 0-18, can read and win prizes. Stop by the library between June 15th and August 10th to sign up for Summer Reading. Get a reading log for your age group and start keeping track of your reading and activity time. You’ll receive prizes for completing different levels on your log, and you’ll get virtual tickets for a prize drawing, too. After you finish your log, you can keep reading and do the Fort Bragg Library Spinner Challenge, where you can win more prize tickets. Winners of the prize drawing will be announced by August 13th.
Summer Reading at Fort Bragg Library…
Fort Bragg Library is participating in the READ, RENEW, REPEAT! iRead Summer Reading program this year, from June 15th through August 10th. During this time, we’ll have special events, story times and themed crafts. Participants can record their reading and activities on provided logs then turn them in for prizes.
How can we participate in Summer Reading?
You can participate by signing-up at the library or signing-up using our Beanstack Reading app. Sign-ups begin Saturday, June 15 and continue throughout the summer. (**Sorry, Beanstack users are not eligible for first-to-sign-up prizes. You must come in person on Kick-Off day to be eligible)
Going to be out of town and can’t make it to the library to sign yourself or your kids up for summer reading?
Not to worry! You can print the age appropriate reading log by clicking on the button below, keep track of your reading time and activities, then, when you’re back in town, come in, sign-up, present your log and collect your prizes!
Printable Teen & Adult Summer Reading Log
Besides reading, what else goes on during Summer Reading?
Not only do we like to encourage everyone to read during the summer but summers are full of activities. And many of those can be found at the library!
Check out our Summer Reading Activity schedule:
Summer Reading 2024 Brochure Folleto de Lectura de Verano 2024JUNE EVENTS
- Friday, June 14, 2 p.m.—Summer Reading Preview. See a special show the day before Summer Reading officially starts! Award-winning Magical Nathaniel makes a very welcome return to our library, with his high-energy magic show that includes audience volunteers.
- Saturday, June 15—Summer Reading Kick-off. Be one of the first people to sign up for the Summer Reading game and get special prizes.
- Saturday, June 22, 2-3 p.m.—Animal Habitat Game. Kids 3 and up will match pictures of animals to their habitats. Win stickers!
- Saturday, June 29, 2 p.m.—Sinister Science. Shirley Knott and Professor Shirley Seau will show kids 5 and up how to make snakes… fire snakes!
JULY EVENTS
- Friday, July 5, 10:30 a.m.—Jack Spareribs. Juggling! Ventriloquism! Magic! Comedy! And of course…Piracy!
- Saturday, July 13, 2-3 p.m.—Aquicorn Cove Game. Play a giant version of the cooperative board game, where a village tries to survive while taking care of their aquatic ecosystem. You’ll have the help of the Aquicorns, kind and magical sea creatures. Recommended for ages eight and up.
- Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m.—Nature Walk Storytime. Meet the “hike leaders” at the library and head over to Otis R. Johnson Park for a storytime about habitats. Then families can either explore the park or follow the trail back to the library for a “conservation” Kids Craft.
- Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.—Nature Joe. Joe brings his popular Critter Cart, with real wild animals, back to our library!
- Wednesday, July 31, 2-3 p.m.—Harry Potter Go Fish. Play a game where you try to get pairs of cards featuring Harry and his magical world. For ages three and up.
AUGUST EVENTS
- Wednesday, August 7, 2-3 p.m.—Build-a-Robot. Kids 8 to 12 will make Doodling Robots which can create works of art. Space is limited so please sign up in advance.
- Saturday, August 10, 2 p.m.—Chicken Lips. Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a high-energy explosion of music, dancing and laughter, for kids of all ages!
SUMMER ART
Ages 2 to 17, create visual art that fits the “Read, Renew, Repeat” theme, whether it’s 3D sculpture made from recycled items, or 2D art that’s about conservation. Pick up an entry form at the Check-Out Desk, then turn it in with your artwork by Friday, August 9th.
Need help deciding what to read?
Teen recommendations:
2023
Summer Reading at Fort Bragg Library…
Fort Bragg Library is participating in the FIND YOUR VOICE! iRead Summer Reading program this year, from June 10th through August 5th. During this time, we’ll have special events, story times and themed crafts. Participants can record their reading and activities on provided logs then turn them in for prizes.
How can we participate in Summer Reading?
You can participate by signing-up at the library or signing-up using our Beanstack Reading app. Sign-ups begin Saturday, June 10 and continue throughout the summer. If you’re one of the first to sign-up in person on Kick-Off day, you’ll receive a special prize.
Going to be out of town and can’t make it to the library to sign yourself or your kids up for summer reading?
Not to worry! You can send us an email at fortbragglibrary@gmail.com with the following information and we’ll add you to the register:
- First and last name, type of reading log (teen), and, if you’re under 18, include age, last grade completed (if any), and school (if any).
(**Sorry, Beanstack and email sign-ups are not eligible for first-to-sign-up prizes. You must come in person on Kick-Off day to be eligible)
Then, you can print the age appropriate reading log by clicking on the button below, keep track of your reading time and activities, then, when you’re back in town, come, collect your prizes!
Teens Printable 2023 Summer Reading Logs
What do you get for participating in Summer Reading?
For Teens, there will be incentive prizes along the way. Participants may collect the prizes all at once or level by level, whichever they prefer.
Here’s the breakdown:
- For 5 hours, a Cowlicks gift certificate
- For 10 hours, a C.V. Starr Center pass+ virtual ticket for prize drawing
- For 20 hours, a book of their choice + virtual ticket for prize drawing
Continued reading, for teens who’ve completed their log, will earn spins on our spinner for an end of summer prize drawing.
Special prize drawings will be held on August 8th.
Besides reading, what else goes on during Summer Reading?
Not only do we like to encourage everyone to read during the summer but summers are full of activities. And many of those can be found at the library!
Check out our Summer Reading Activity schedule:
Summer Reading 2023 Brochure
Folleto de Lectura de Verano 2023
JUNE EVENTS
- Saturday, June 10—Summer Reading Kick-off. Be one of the first people to sign up for the Summer Reading game and get special prizes.
- Saturday, June 10—Xtreme Science Magic, 1 p.m. Experience eye-popping, energetic, fast-moving experiments!
- Saturday, June 17, 2 p.m.—Magic Tree House Adventure. Go on six missions throughout history, with puzzles to solve, crafts to make, and snacks to eat.
- Friday, June 23, 2 p.m.—Jack & The Beanstalk. The marvelous Fratello Marionettes are back with a brand-new show based on a classic fairytale!
- Saturday, June 24, 2 p.m.—Sinister Science. Kids 5 to 10, pick up a Take & Make Krazy Kazoo experiment bag.
JULY EVENTS
- Saturday, July 1, 2-4 p.m.—Zootopia. Officer Judy Hopps finds her voice, with the help of a con-artist fox. This movie is rated PG. Refreshments served.
- Saturday, July 15, 7-11 p.m.—Teen Lock-In. If you’re 12 to 18, you can hang out at the library after-hours, playing games, making crafts, watching a movie, and eating pizza and other refreshments. Parent permission required.
- Saturday, July 22, 2 p.m.—Sinister Science. You won’t believe your eyes and ears with this surprising science lesson from Professor Shirley Seau and Dr. Shirley Knott.
- Saturday, July 29, 2-4 p.m.—Harry Potter Monopoly Party. Get sorted, make a wand, eat magical treats, and play a wizarding version of Life-Size Monopoly. (Kids 7 and younger will need to team up with older players for the game.)
AUGUST EVENTS
- Friday, August 4, 2-3 p.m.—Art & Talent Show. Children and teens will perform noncompetitively—music, dance, comedy, magic, etc.—in the Community Room. No need to audition but please sign up in advance. Summer Art, Jokebook, and Super Short Stories will be on display (see below).
- Saturday, August 5, 10:30 a.m.—Summer Reading Finale with Wild Things. Meet animal ambassadors from five continents and hear their extraordinary personal stories.
These are open to ages 2 to 17:
- Summer Art: Create visual art that’s about “finding your voice.” Pick up an entry form at the Check-Out Desk, then turn it in with your artwork.
- Fort Bragg Library Jokebook: Tell the library staff a joke, and we’ll put it in a special jokebook.
- Super Short Stories: Write a story that is either as many words as you are years old or as long as a Twitter tweet (280 characters or less).
- More than one entry is fine, but all submissions must be in by Thursday, August 3rd.
REGULAR EVENTS
- Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays (except June 10th and August 5th).
- Kids Craft at 11 to 12 , June 17th, July 1st, and July 15th.
Need help deciding what to read?
Check out these resources:
Staff Picks…see what our staff recommends
We Recommend...check out these handy resources for helping pick out books based on your interests, favorite write-alikes, etc.
Teen Book Lists:
YALSA Booklists and Resources...check out the YALSA app for titles at your fingertips
The Summer Reading program is generously supported by the Friends of the Fort Bragg Library.
Summer Reading Program 2022
Check out our Summer Reading Activity schedule:
June:
Saturday, June 18, Summer Reading kicks off with special guest, Karen Quest who performs her rip-roaring Cowgirl Tricks @ 3pm. Cowgirl Tricks is a tongue-in-cheek vaudeville-style comedic bonanza of trick roping, whip cracking, music and magic, with audience participation and lots of kooky cowgirl shenanigans. Fun for the whole family!
Friday, June 24, 11 a.m. Nature Joe. Joe’s Critter Cart brings live animals, big and small, for you to meet and learn about at the library!
Saturday, June 25, 2 p.m Sinister Science: Solar Oven. Kids can learn how to make a sun-powered oven to cook s’mores and more!
July:
Saturday, July 9, 2 – 4 p.m. Camping-Land. Play a life-sized board game and win treats. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult or an older child.
Saturday, July 16, 2 p.m Sinister Science: Fizzy Sidewalk Paint. See, hear, and feel this fantastic chemical reaction while you create far-out worlds.
Saturday, July 23, 11 a.m Dance Around the World with Nikola Clay. Families can experience a variety of cultures through the universal language of music, learning several easy and fun folk dances.
Saturday, July 30, 2 p.m. Stories & Songs with Ingrid Noyes. This family show, especially recommended for preschoolers, combines music and books and is very interactive, with everyone invited to sing, dance, read, and play along.
August:
Saturday, August 6, 10 a.m. Nature Walk and Storytime. Meet the “hike leaders” at the library and head over to Otis R. Johnson Park for a storytime about camping. Then families can either explore the park or follow the trail back to the library for a camping Kids Craft.
Saturday, August 13, 2 – 3 p.m. Reading Camp Art & Talent Show. To celebrate the end of Summer Reading, children up to age 12 will perform noncompetitively—music, dance, comedy, magic, etc.—in the Community Room. No need to audition but please sign up in advance. And see the Summer Art Show display!
Other Special Events:
Summer Art Show
June 18th to August 12th. Kids ages 3 to 16 are invited to create art that’s about camping or “reading beyond the beaten path.” Use watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil, ink, markers, crayons, pastels, etc. Pick up an entry form at the Check-Out Desk and turn in it with your artwork.
Escape Cabin (an online activity)
Starting June 21st, participants ages 9 and up may do the online “Escape Cabin” activity linked at fortbragglibrary.org. Solve the set of puzzles and if you “escape” by August 13th, you can claim your prize at the library.
READING COLORS YOUR WORLD
