This week, we will mark the first official day of summer on our calendars, but those of us with children or grandchildren are already well into balancing outdoor activities, camps and a bit of that quality family time that is so hard to fit in during the school year. 

It is easy for something as simple as reading to get lost in that shuffle, but we’d like to challenge you not to let it, especially considering the numerous programs available locally to assist students and adults in finding and reading some really fun books.

For some kids, fun may not be their first thought when they hear reading. As a newspaper we consider this a minor tragedy with a simple solution: Encourage children to read about what they like.

Young music lovers — of all genres — will likely find the summer program at the LaGrange Memorial Library and the Hogansville Public Library. Children receive prizes for filling out their reading journals, and special performances will give students something else to look forward to during their visits. This Wednesday, Magician David Floyd will perform “The Great Magical Music Show.” For additional details on the library program, see our community calendar or visit your local library branch.

For young baseball fans, this summer reading can include additional incentives thanks to programs like the Braves Summer Reading Program presented by SunTrust. The program is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and it just asks students to register and read one book from a list. Students are rewarded with a free Braves ticket and a certificate. For more information about the program, visit Mlb.com/braves/community/education-programs/summer-reading-program. 

Meanwhile young basketball fans can participate in the “Check it out Reading Challenge” sponsored by the Atlanta Hawks. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can earn a bookmark and a free youth ticket with the purchase of at least one adult ticket to a 2018-2019 Atlanta Hawks regular season game by reading at least five books. For more information, visit Nba.com/hawks/community/checkitoutmainhtml.

For a wider variety of children’s books — for the child who loves superheroes, ballet or really any activity under the sun — Barnes & Noble hosts a Summer Reading Program for kids in grades first through sixth. The program asks that students read eight books, record them in a reading journal and then say what their favorite book was and why. Children are rewarded with a free book (from a list of choices) from the store.

We encourage you to help the children in your life find a good book and a love of reading this summer, and who knows? Maybe you can discover a new book to enjoy this summer as well.