Summer Reading 2024

2024 Summer Reading “Adventure Begins At Your Library”

KIDS’ SUMMER READING CLUB

June 18 – August 2, 2024

Sign up here to download your summer reading game board (Recommended for Ages 5-10. We also have an under 5 game board) or you can pick up a physical board at the library front desk. You get a sign-up bonus prize! Read, participate in fun activities, and attend library programs to earn stickers throughout the summer and win prizes.

Complete the entire game board to enter for a chance to win a Kindle! See below for all of our awesome Summer Reading Events for kids!



ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM 

June 1 – August 31, 2024

Write brief book reviews or library program reviews and enter to win. One entry per title/event. Enter as many times as you would like! Prize drawings throughout the summer! Pick up entry forms at the circulation desk or fill out online. Submit from 6/1 – 8/31. There will be an end-of-the-summer grand prize drawing for a Kindle. All books count, including print books, e-books, and audiobooks. Programs may be in-person or virtual. Participants must have a Pennington Public Library card to be eligible for prize drawings. Don’t have a card? Get one today!

Looking for a good summer read? Check out our 2024 list of some of our favorites!


2024 KIDS SUMMER READING EVENTS

PAWS TO READ: TRAVEL EDITION

Saturday, June 22, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Presented in Partnership with Tabby’s Place, a cage-free haven for cats from desperate circumstances
Registration: PenningtonLibrary.org/PawstoRead

The adorable cats from the Aged to Purrfection program at Tabby’s Place are visiting the Pennington Public Library! Stop by to read to these furry felines. Studies show that children who read aloud to therapy dogs or shelter cats on a regular basis demonstrate drastic improvement in their reading skills. Kids pick from a wide selection of library books and gain confidence and increase reading comprehension and fluency, while developing a love of reading. Oh, and the cats love it too! Cats in the Aged to Purrfection program are regularly examined by the Tabby’s Place veterinary staff and have received current vaccines and disease screenings.

Recommended for ages 5-10


OUTDOOR STORY TIME WITH BUBBLES! @ SKED STREET PARK

Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 10:30 – 11:00 am

School’s out, so let’s celebrate with a special family story time OUTSIDE at Sked Street Park! We’ll read, sing and create bubbles of all sizes. Hope you can join us!

No registration required. Please check our website for updates.
PenningtonLibrary.org/at-the-library/story-times/


INSECTROPOLIS: BUGS ON THE GO

Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 4:00-4:30 pm
Registration Required: https://2024Insectropolis.eventbrite.com

Investigate the diversity of the insect world with live insects and pinned specimens. Learn about millipedes, scorpions, butterflies, beetles and more! Presented by an outreach specialist from Insectropolis, New Jersey’s very own bug museum. Recommended for Ages 4-Adult. Space is limited.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and the Pennington Day Grant.

About Our Presenter: Insectropolis, the Bugseum of New Jersey located in Toms River, NJ, has over a dozen exhibit areas designed to educate and entertain. Set within the architecture of a bug-themed city, creative displays entertain guests as they learn about these fascinating creatures. Insectropolis aims to illuminate the world of bugs by upending the misconceptions and aversions held against insects with fun facts about their anatomy, practices, and habitats.


SUMMER STORY STROLL & CRAFT

July 1-30

Let’s go on a Story Stroll! Exercise your body and your imagination as you follow the pages of Sylvie through Sked Street Park. Then, stop by the library’s Maker Station all month long to create fun flamingo crafts!

No registration necessary. For more information, please visit PenningtonLibrary.org/StoryStroll.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and the Pennington Day Grant.


FAMILY MOVIE & CRAFT: TREASURE PLANET

Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Registration Required: PenningtonLibrary.org/TreasurePlanet

Join us for this animated sci-fi adventure and make your own wooden pirate chest!

Movie synopsis: “The legendary loot of a thousand worlds inspires an intergalactic treasure hunt when 15-year-old Jim Hawkins stumbles upon a map to the greatest pirate trove in the universe!” Rated PG. Run time 95 min.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and the Pennington Day Grant.


GEAR UP & GO! BIKE SAFETY & MAINTENANCE: Family-Friendly!
Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Registration required: https://gearupandgo.eventbrite.com 

Are you planning a biking adventure this summer? Before you go, learn the basics of bike safety, repair and maintenance from an expert from Sourland Cycles. Then, discover an awesome network of trails right in our community- the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT)! We’ll end with popsicles in the park and an optional, self-guided exploration of the LHT.

Recommended for patrons ages 5+.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day Grant. 


READ TO A THERAPY DOG

Thursday, August 1, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Registration Required: PenningtonLibrary.org/ReadToDog

Young readers can sign up for a 15-minute reading session with Tiny, the Therapy Dog! Studies show that children who read aloud to dogs or cats on a regular basis improve their reading skills and develop a love of reading. Tiny Dog can’t resist a good book and a cuddle, so she’s bound to love it too!

Recommended for ages 5-10. 


FAMILIES ON THE FARM- New date!

Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 10:00-11:00 am
Location: Fairgrown Farm, 260 Wargo Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration Required: PenningtonLibrary.org/2024familiesonfarm/

Have you ever thought about the adventure your food takes before it gets to your plate? Farmer Logan from Fairgrown Farm will give us a tour of the farm and share how he nurtures plants from seed to harvest. Then, families will get some time to get hands-on and try out their farming skills!

Recommended for ages 4+. Dress for the weather and prepare to be active!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and the Pennington Day Grant.


K-12 SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES

Virtual Author Talks in partnership with the Library’s Speaker’s Consortium.

A Visit to Deckawoo Drive with Mercy Watson and Kate DiCamillo (PreK-2nd Grade)
Newbery Medal Winner for The Tale of Despereaux 
New York Times  bestselling author of over 30 books for children
Tuesday, July 9th at 2:00 PM EDT
See More and Register

Surviving the Summer with The Last Kids on Earth and Max Brallier
(3rd-6th Grade)
New York Times Bestselling Author of More Than 50 Books 
for Children Under Both This Name and the Pen Name Jack Chabert
Tuesday, July 16th at 2:00 PM EDT
See More and Register

Learning the Power of Poetry with Bestselling Author Elizabeth Acevedo
(9th-12th grade)
National Book Award Winner and New York Times
Bestselling Author of The Poet X and Clap When you Land
Tuesday, July 23rd at 2:00 PM EDT
See More and Register

Graphic Novels are Life! Telling Your Own Story in a Graphic Novel with Dan Santat
(5th-8th Grade)
Caldecott Medal Winner, National Book Award Winner, 
and New York Times Bestselling Author
and Illustrator of Over 100 Books
Tuesday, July 30th at 2:00 PM EDT
See More and Register