United Way combats summer learning loss with more than 20 local book clubs

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — In an effort to stem the widening learning gap that occurs when low-income students aren’t engaged in stimulating summer activities, Montgomery County United Way is hosting more than 20 book clubs for Montgomery County students. Over 150 students are currently participating in the book clubs, which are located at The City of Conroe Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center Summer Camps, The East Montgomery County YMCA and the Texas A&M 4H Club.

“We know that students who do not have the opportunity to read in the summer months lose two-to- three months of reading development,” said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “Not only do these book clubs help combat the ‘summer slide,’ they keep kids engaged and excited about reading.”

At each site, students are given two books to read and discuss with a small group. The book club leaders are given materials to support them and encourage the students to ask questions about what they’re reading and decipher the meaning of the books. The goal is to have students reading for pleasure every day during the summer and they are encouraged to log their reading minutes either online or in a printed reading log. Each book club is also participating in a reading challenge that rewards students who read for the most minutes throughout the summer.

“Many of the students participating in the summer book clubs don’t have access to a variety of books and have shown tremendous excitement when they see how many choices they have,” said Elizabeth Anderson, an Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center staff member.

Recognizing that having access to books at home can help students read on grade level, participating students are able to keep the books they read during the summer book clubs so they can add them to their personal library and re-read them or share with family members.