BPL'S SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
Bellaire Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Programs are a great way for children and adults of all ages to stay engaged in reading and learning in the summer months.
Each year, a theme serves to encourage readers of all ages to explore library programming and read beyond their normal habits, serving as inspiration for a lifelong habit among children, teens, and adults to continue learning and growing.
2026 Summer Reading Program: “Unearth a Story“
This summer, we invite you to dig into stories waiting to be discovered…
Hidden beneath the surface are tales of ancient worlds, incredible creatures, and the people who uncover them. Just as fossils tell us about life long ago, books reveal stories shaped by imagination, history, and curiosity. Every page we turn is an excavation—uncovering ideas, adventures, and knowledge that connect us to the past and inspire the future.
Reading helps us explore beyond what we can see, strengthens critical thinking, and sparks wonder about the world around us. Join us this summer as we Unearth a Story, digging deep into books, discovery, and the joy of learning—one page at a time.
➤ Learn more about our 2026 program
Upcoming Programs
Benefits of Summer Reading
Fight the Summer Slide
Summer learning loss or setback, often referred to as the “summer slide,” is a devastating loss of academic achievement students experience during the summer months. It is estimated that, on average, students lose two months of grade-level mathematical computation skills over the summer, and low-income students can lose up to two months of reading achievement (McLaughlin & Smink, 2009).
Summer reading loss is cumulative. Children don’t “catch up” in fall because the other children are moving ahead with their skills. By the end of 6th grade, children who lose reading skills over the summer are two years behind their classmates.
Summer reading is critical for students to retain knowledge & skills learned in the previous school year. Students who don’t read are at risk of falling behind their classmates. Summer reading not only helps a child’s ability to retain information learned the previous year but also increases growth in knowledge and critical
thinking skills for the coming school year.
Learning from example
Did you know that when kids see adults take time to read, they’re more likely to want to read themselves? It’s true! Children cannot be convinced that reading is truly valuable if the adults they look up to do not read themselves. Seeing adults reading books sends an important message that reading can be done for pleasure and entertainment, not just to complete a homework assignment.
So, parents and grandparents, take the summer reading challenge with your kids! Kids love the idea that they can outread adults. Give them a challenge that will help them grow.
