Summer is a time for fun, exploration, and—yes—reading! While school may be out, learning doesn’t have to take a vacation. In fact, keeping children engaged in reading over the summer is one of the most powerful ways to prevent the “summer slide”—the learning loss that can occur when students are away from the classroom. Research shows that students from lower-income families can lose up to three months of reading development over the summer, while their middle-income peers often make slight gains. This gap accumulates year after year, potentially leading to a 1.5-year reading deficit by the end of elementary school. But here’s the good news: just six books over the summer can help maintain or even improve reading skills.
Join the STL Summer Adventure!
The St. Louis County Library, in partnership with the St. Louis Public Library, invites kids and teens (ages 0–17) to participate in the STL Summer Adventure from June 1 to August 10.
Here’s what’s in store:
📖 Receive a FREE book at registration (Must register in person at the Lewis and Clark Branch located at
🧩 Complete 10 activities to earn a prize
🎟️ Be entered into a grand prize raffle—with bonus entries for completing more activities
🎉 Enjoy free events all summer long: music, comedy, puppets, magic, science experiments, and more
Raffle prizes include:
Ages 0–5: Toniebox Starter Set, Plush Capybara & Book
Ages 6–12: Nex Playground, Art Set, Spikeball
Ages 13–17: AirPods Pro, Switch Lite with Zelda, STL CITY SC tickets, and more
Exciting news! The school with the highest participation will have its registered readers entered into a drawing for a $100 Schnuck’s gift card.
Additionally - explore St. Louis - for Free!
Pair reading with real-world adventures! Many of St. Louis’ top attractions offer free admission and are perfect for family outings:
🌳 Forest Park Forever – Wander trails and gardens in one of the nation’s largest urban parks
🏛️ Gateway Arch – Discover the story of westward expansion at this iconic monument
🧒 The Magic House – Hands-on fun at the St. Louis Children’s Museum
🌼 Missouri Botanical Garden – Explore nature’s wonders in beautifully curated gardens
🕰️ Missouri History Museum – Dive into local and national history through interactive exhibits
🎨 Saint Louis Art Museum – View world-class art collections in a stunning setting
🔭 Saint Louis Science Center – Ignite curiosity with science exhibits and planetarium shows
🐘Saint Louis Zoo – Visit animals from around the world in a free, family-friendly environment
Reading is more than a skill—it’s a gateway to imagination, confidence, and lifelong learning. Let’s make this summer one of growth, discovery, and joy for every Riverview Gardens student.
Ready, set, read!