Second lady Usha Vance announced her second annual challenge encouraging school-age children to read during their summer vacation.
“Reading is such a fun way to explore new places, make new friends and watch history come alive. It’s one of my favorite things to do, and this summer, it can become one of yours too,” Vance said to children when announcing the challenge.
“Grab a book, grab a friend and join me in making this a story-filled summer.”
How does the challenge work?
Vance encouraged all children grades K-8 to read 12 books between June 1 and Sept. 4. Each completed book can be noted on the provided tracking sheet.
When the sheet is filled, children (with the help of their parents) can email it to the White House and receive a personalized certificate, an America 250 bookmark and a link to receive a prize. Participants are also entered to win a trip for them and a chaperone to visit the White House.
The program enters its second year, after ‘a success beyond what we had hoped’
This is the second time Vance has issued a summer reading challenge, following the pilot program announced in 2025.
“Last year it was an idea that we had really at the last minute as we were thinking about ways to enhance childhood literacy and get kids reading over the summer and sort of stave off some of the summer learning loss that traditionally happens every year,” Vance told ABC News.
More than 20,000 children from all 50 states and multiple territories participated in last year’s program. “It was a success beyond that we had hoped,” Vance said.
Following that success, Vance is partnering with local schools and libraries across the country to encourage participation in this year’s challenge.
Vance encourages children to read ‘anything that they like’
To participate in the summer reading challenge, Vance encourages children to read “anything that they like.”
“If a kid likes reading about squirrels, as one did last year, read 12 books about squirrels. If a kid loves history, read books about history,” she said.
Vance said personally she enjoys reading Jane Austen novels, and with her children she often reads books about a witch named Mirabel.
The benefits of summer reading for children
Many studies have found summer reading helps combat summer learning loss.
Research shows that the average student loses 17-28% of their English Language Arts gains from the school year. Summer reading programs have been shown to combat summer learning loss, and in some cases even help improve literacy.
“It’s important for children to continue literacy activities during the summer, which can maintain or grow reading brain systems.” said Joanna Christodoulou, director of the Brain, Education, and Mind Lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, in a news release. “Making reading part of daily activities — even for 20-30 minutes — is part of a strong approach towards reading progress.”