For Dallas Post

Olivia Keller, age 6, left, and her sister Kaitlynn, age 8, stop by the library to check on the progress of the summer reading mural and to select some Magic Tree House books. Both girls attend Wycallis Elementary School.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Olivia-and-Kaitlynn-Keller-and-SR-Mural.jpg.optimal.jpgOlivia Keller, age 6, left, and her sister Kaitlynn, age 8, stop by the library to check on the progress of the summer reading mural and to select some Magic Tree House books. Both girls attend Wycallis Elementary School.

DALLAS — The library is calling all youth (pre-school through young adult) to be champion readers this summer at the Back Mountain Memorial Library when they join the reading program “On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!”

Youngster can set a goal for the number of minutes they want to read each day this summer and record minutes on a special reading log. They will earn prizes along the way, maintain or improve reading skills, take part in a weekly guessing game and attend fun, educational programs.

Choose from any books in the library to read but especially those about health and fitness, sports, movement, dance, etc. If reading goals are fulfilled in August, participants receive a certificate, a special prize and an invitation to the final party with rewards, food and fun.

In addition to keeping track of minutes, children can join a reading group appropriate for their age. Registration for the reading groups begins Tuesday, June 7.

Programs are as follows:

• “Story Hours” are for children ages 1 and 2 and ages 3 to 5. Children enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and a special themed craft each week. Story hours begin the week of June 19 and end the week of Aug. 1.

• “Early Readers Story Hour” is for children who have just completed kindergarten and first grade. Children will break into small groups and take turns reading aloud (short books of 100 words or less). They will then join back together with Donna Schuler, a semi-retired school teacher, to listen to a story and make a craft. Sessions are from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. on Mondays beginning June 20 and ending on Aug. 8. (No sessions on July 4 and July 11)

• “Junior Adventurers” are children in grades 2 through 5 who want to learn about healthy eating, fitness, women in baseball, and the Olympics with Mrs. Sorokin this summer. Four sessions will be held Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon June 20, July 25, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8.

• “Donuts & Discussion” is for tweens ages 9 to 12. Come to one or all four of the book discussion sessions, Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 27, July 11, July 25 and Aug. 8. Enjoy refreshments and donuts, make new friends and learn the art of book discussion. Tweens may borrow or buy the books for this program.

• The “Young Adult Book Discussion Group” is for teens, age 13 and older. Come to one or all four of these book discussion sessions Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. June 27, July 11, July 25 and Aug. 8. Snacks and refreshments will be served. Participants are asked to borrow or purchase the specific books for this program. Come to the organizational meeting 6 p.m. Monday, June 13 to discuss book selections.

• “Relax & Read” is a reading and reviewing program for tweens and teens who like to write. Tweens and teens write short reviews of any books they choose to read over the summer. Each time they complete a review, it is entered to win a gift certificate to be awarded at the conclusion of the summer reading program. The more they read and review, the more chances they have to win the gift certificate.

For more information, call the library at 570-675-1182.

Information provided by Back Mountain Memorial Library.