Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) is inviting Western New York kids to participate in the New York State Assembly’s 2022 Summer Reading Challenge in order to maintain reading proficiency and appreciate the singular joy of a good book. The challenge asks elementary school-aged children to read a book for 15 minutes or more on at least 40 days during July and August. Young readers who complete the challenge will receive an Assembly Excellence in Reading certificate to celebrate their achievement.

The theme of this year’s challenge is “Ocean of Possibilities” to encourage children to explore strange and exciting new worlds and to fall in love with good characters and stories. In addition, regular summer reading helps children maintain their reading proficiency and prepare for the new school year. Infrequent summer reading causes many students to experience a decline in reading proficiency over the summer vacation, commonly called the “summer slide.” Research also shows that reading boosts vocabulary, reduces stress, and increases one’s capacity to empathize with others.

“Regular reading helps stimulate intellectual growth, introduces young people to new ideas and concepts, and allows them to explore exciting new worlds,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “By continuing to read over the summer, students will be better prepared for the upcoming school year and will reap the numerous benefits of frequently reading. It’s my hope that the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge will encourage young people to keep reading and help foster a lifelong love of learning among the next generation.”

Materials for the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge are available for no cost at the Lancaster Public Library, Julia Boyer Reinstein Library, Anna Reinstein Memorial Library, and local youth groups. Participating children should mark the days that they read, either alone or with a caretaker, on the calendar and then mail the completed calendar to Assemblymember Wallace at 2562 Walden Ave., Suite 102, Cheektowaga, NY 14225.

For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit summerreadingnys.org or contact Assemblymember Wallace at wallacem@nyassembly.gov or 716-686-0080.