Should You Reward Summer Reading?

Plus recommended graphic novels & book series

Melissa Taylor

Jul 15, 2026

How’s your summer going? And are your kids reading enough this summer?

Ideas to Increase Reading This Summer

If not, you may need a few ideas to increase reading time. Here are a few suggestions…

Make a cozy reading nook. Add comfy pillows and lamps.
Create a family reading time. Everyone drops everything and reads.
Find a Little Free Library. Exchange books!
Do a library scavenger hunt for new sections and new book ideas.
Sign up for a book subscription service like Literati.
Buy or subscribe to a children’s magazine.
Visit yard sales or used bookstores to find new, used books.
Get a Paperwhite Kindle and let your kids read on it. (There are no other distracting apps on it!)

Bookish Reading Rewards

But I also endorse reading-related rewards. These are rewards that relate to reading.

Why?

Because time spent reading IMPROVES READING. Time in a book INCREASES LOVE FOR BOOKS. (Unless there’s a learning disability.)

In order for kids to become fluent readers who love stories, they need to spend time reading.

Yes, kids SHOULD learn that the story is the reward. (IT IS!!) And they should be proud of their identity as a reader. (HOORAY, THEY’RE AMAZING!)

And also…we sometimes need incentives to help our kids read more.

Here are some bookish reading reward ideas.

BOOK BUCKS
Money to spend at yard sales or bookstores.
STICKER BOOKS (OR COLORING BOOKS)
Many sticker books still have words to read. So it can be a two-for-one reward of reading and stickers.
READING BUDDY
Pick out a new stuffed animal to be a child’s reading buddy.

What other rewards to consider?

time on a reading app
a library card of their own
a new writing journal
extra read-aloud time
a movie based on a book
a new book bag

But What Books Should Kids Read?

Kids should read whatever they’re interested in reading. Book selection is motivating. Let your kids choose!

That said, if you’re worried about appropriateness for content or reading level, look on Imagination Soup for my review, preview the book beforehand, or read it together and discuss as you go.

*Here’s how I thought through what to do when my daughter wanted to read The Hunger Games at age ten.