Encourage your children's summer reading by helping them enlist in some great programs!

• At Barnes and Nobles, when kids read any eight books of their own choosing, and use the online Summer Reading Journal tool to document their their favorite parts of each book, they'll get a coupon for a FREE book! Check out the website for great online activities and suggested reading. This years program is based on the 39 Clues series. Visit your local Barnes and Noble or barnesandnoble.com/summerreading

• Half-price books offers a Feed Your Brain! Summer Reading Program. Kids 12 and under can earn a $3 gift card for each week they read at least 15 minutes per day. Find a Half-Price Books location near you at halfpricebooks.com

• This year's Chicago Public Library summer reading program theme is Reading is ARTrageous! Visit your local library to pick up program materials and sign up for fantastic art inspired fun and educational programing, including weekly book raffles, author visits and creative performances. Kids up to the age of nine who read or have read to them 25 picture books will earn a t-shirt. Children over age nine who read ten chapter books will earn a t-shirt as well. For more info, check out chipublib.org

Amy Bizzarri is a mom of two living in Logan Square. She also blogs at tiramisumom.com.

See more of Amy's stories here.

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