Summer Reading for Fun and Prizes

Target gift cards, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and laser tag sessions are part of the prizes this summer, just for reading a book in Fairfax County Public Library's Summer Reading Program.

Held in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools, and sponsored by The Fairfax Library Foundation, Clean Fairfax Council and the Library of Virginia, the program is open to kids preschool age through to rising 12th graders.

It encourages summer reading by awarding prizes and coupon books to kids who read the assigned number of books, and submit their reading log before Sept. 3.

Registration began on June 21. Preschoolers through sixth graders are to read 15 books. Students entering 7th through 12th grade are to read eight books. 

The program has recommended reading lists, including titles such as: Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs!, by Megan McDonald, and The Gum Chewing Rattler, by Joe Hayes, for preschoolers to second graders; Spaceheadz, by Jon Scieszka, and Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, by John Grisham, for third to sixth graders; and The Alchemyst, by Michael Scott, and American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen, for 7th to 12th graders, though students are not required to choose from the list.

“The program is designed to provide another place besides school to encourage reading,” says Mary Fox, a Youth Librarian at “It helps students to retain their skills over the summer.” 

Students can sign up and record their books online or at any branch of the Fairfax County Public Library system. All students who complete their reading lists receive a coupon book of free and discounted prizes from businesses such as Cold Stone Creamery, Domino’s Pizza and Splash Down Waterpark. Students who complete the program are also entered into a drawing to receive signed copies of books, audiobooks and gift cards from and

Signup is ongoing. All reading lists must be completed and submitted by the Sept. 3rd deadline.

As of Friday, approximately 2,150 students have registered for the program at the Reston Library branch, said Fox.

Visit the library's summer reading web site for more information.