2026 Summer Reading “Unearth a Story”
KIDS’ SUMMER READING CLUB
June 13 – August 1, 2026
Sign up here to print or pick up your Summer Reading game board or participate via the Reading Zone App (recommended for ages 5+). We also have an Under 5 game board available as well. Read, participate in fun activities, and attend library programs to win prizes throughout the summer.
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!
Supporting School Summer Reading
We’re here to help students keep reading strong all summer long! If your child is looking for their required summer reading titles or assignments for school, our library is a great resource. We have extra copies of many common school summer reading books, and we’ve also gathered direct links to local school summer reading lists to make it easy for you to find everything in one place: TMS, HVCHS, TPS Middle School, TPS Upper School
ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM 
June 1 – August 31, 2026
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 of some of our favorites by scrolling to the end of this page!
2026 KIDS SUMMER READING EVENTS
Summer Kickoff Concert
Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 6PM
Location: Howe Commons, 65 S Main St, Pennington, NJ 08534
No registration needed.
We are teaming up with the Pennington Parks & Recreation Commission to celebrate the beginning of summer! Visit our table at the concert to sign up for summer reading. We’ll also have games and crafts to keep everyone entertained. Join us for a night of fun for the whole family!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.
Teen & Tween Art Hour
Thursday, June 25, 2026 @ 2PM
Location: Pennington Public Library, 30 N Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon!
Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.
Special Storytime: Move Like a Dino!
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 @ 10:30 AM
Location: Pennington Public Library, 30 N Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon!
Join us for a fun, musical morning of movement and stories! We will start by reading a dinosaur-inspired book. Then, Miss Sam of the Pennington Studio for Dance will lead us as we dance and move like dinos! Recommended for ages 2+. Siblings welcome!
Teen & Tween Art Hour
Thursday, July 9, 2026 @ 2PM
Location: Pennington Public Library, 30 N Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon!
Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.
Cooks & Books with Sticky Fingers Cooking: Tea Rex!
Thursday, July 16, 2026 @ 2PM
Location: Pennington United Methodist Church, 60 S Main St, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon! Please indicate if your child has any dietary restrictions.
Spark the imagination of your favorite young chef in this hands-on literary and culinary experience! First, we will read Tea Rex by Molly Idle. Then we’ll cook up a recipe inspired by the book- orange cardamom cupcakes and orange chai cream soda! Recommended for ages 5-10.
Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.
About Our Presenter: Sticky Fingers Cooking has been guiding young chefs since 2011. They offer cooking classes and camps both in-person and online. Visit stickyfingerscooking.com to learn more!
Read to Tiny, the Therapy Dog!
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 @ 4-5PM
Location: Pennington Public Library, 30 N Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon!
Just in time for summer break… 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+.
Teen & Tween Art Hour
Thursday, July 23, 2026 @ 2PM
Location: Pennington Public Library, 30 N Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon!
Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.
Afternoon Movie & Lego Open Play
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 @ 2PM
Location: Pennington Public Library, 30 N Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
Registration required- link coming soon!
Come in and cool down with us as we watch this short animated movie, followed by play time with our huge LEGO collection!
Movie synopsis: When the founder of Jurassic Park accidentally destroys one of the park’s main attractions, he recruits his trusted scientists to come up with a solution. They create an amazing dino-hybrid called the Indominus Rex- the smartest, biggest and scariest hot dog-loving creature ever created! When the Indominus eats all the hot dogs and escapes from its pen in a hungry rage, they turn to talented dinosaur trainer Owen Grady to save the day in this epic, action packed short movie. Unrated. Run time: 24 minutes
Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.
K-12 2026 SUMMER SPEAKERS
Virtual Author Talks in partnership with the Library’s Speaker’s Consortium.
Wonderfully Weird with Zaila Avant-garde (Picture Book)
New York Times Bestselling Author
SportsKid of the Year 2021 by Sports Illustrated Kids
Winner of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Tuesday, June 16th at 7:00 PM EDT (30 minutes)
Dragons, Castles, and an Irresistible Princess Bent on Revenge with Katherine Rundell (Middle Grade)
International Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of Impossible Creatures
Thursday, July 30th at 2:00 PM EDT (45 minutes)