Kids’ Summer Reading 2023

Join the Children’s Department for an exciting – and loud – summer as you Find Your Voice!
Kids entering pre-kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us for the 2023 Summer Reading Program featuring programs for kids of all ages focused around our theme of finding your voice – through music, art, activism, stories, dance, and more! Summer Reading starts Tuesday, June 20 and runs until Friday, August 4.

Our voices have power. We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves, and spark change. Our voices include not only the sounds we make, but the words we write, the art we create, the movements we perform, and the actions we take each day to impact our world. (©2023 iReadⓇ)

It’s not always easy to Find Your Voice! If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our book lists with ideas for readers of all ages and interests.

Sign Up
Sign up begins on Tuesday, June 20 for kids entering preK to 5th grade! Stop by the table outside the library doors to register, get your Summer Tracker, and pick up a glitter tattoo. And don’t forget to stop inside in the Children’s Room for fun activities during kickoff week. Kids can register throughout the summer by stopping by the Children’s Desk.
For little ones younger than preK, check out our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten page for tracking reading throughout the year!
Log Your Reading
The goal is to read every day. You don’t have to read anything specific, you just have to pick something to read that you enjoy. When you read every day, reading becomes a habit and a part of your daily routine. As you read more, you become a more active, engaged, and inquisitive reader.

What reading counts?

ALL OF IT! Reading by yourself; reading with someone else. Listening to an audiobook; listening to someone else reading. Reading magazines. Reading something easy. Reading something hard.
It’s all reading.
Log your daily reading by coloring in a shape on your tracker. Unlike previous years, there is no counting minutes or books read. You’re not competing to see if you can read the most. The goal is just to read every day, building a habit and growing your world.
Each week that you read every day, you can come into the library and pick out a Find Your Voice! button. Try to collect a button for each week of Summer Reading!
Join a Community of Readers!
Each time you get to pick out a button for your week of reading, you’ll also add a sticker to our Summer Reading Wall. You’ll get to see how many other kids in Melrose are reading with you!
Programs and Activities
Find out about all our summer events and activities on the events calendar. Registration is required for programs. Please check age guidance when signing up for programs. Most programs are outside and weather permitting.

Story Times

Join the Children’s Room staff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for Sing Along Stories (ages 0-3) and on Monday afternoons for Mindful Moments Story Time (ages 4-7) that focuses on social-emotional skills.

Elementary Programs

Explore your creative side with programs for K-2 (ages 5-7) and 3rd-5th (ages 8-10) that will vary from crafts to experiments to artistic endeavors.

Family Programs

There’s a lot to enjoy as a family at the Melrose Public Library this summer. Alastair Moock will be giving a concert, there will be stories under the stars, and even a family challenge night! Don’t forget to sign up to visit the Whale Mobile when it comes to town in August.

The Massachusetts Statewide Summer Library Program is funded by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Kids’ Summer Reading programming is sponsored by the Friends of the Melrose Public Library.