Thursday, May 30, 2024
MPS families can participate in the Milwaukee Public Schools summer reading program, Passport to Summer Reading, by picking up a free children’s book at participating Milwaukee businesses and festivals. The summer reading program begins June 19 and continues into August.
The first 25 families to arrive at the locations listed below during the designated time will receive a free picture book, with a QR code on the inside cover. When scanned with a smart phone, the QR code will link to a read-aloud video by MPS academic coach Dannette Justus of the YouTube reading show “Just Us and Books.”
The program will help keep children engaged over the summer and counter “summer slide,” when students can lose some of the progress they’ve made during the school year.
Families can enjoy great summer stories, explore a business or event, and talk with their children about both to reinforce what the children have learned. One book will be given out per family.
Students who collect six or more books will have their names entered into a drawing for a chance to win items such as a bean bag chair and cubby bins to create a book nook at home.
MPS students can pick up their passports at any of the participating locations and have them stamped to show the locations where they traveled.
Pick up the Passport to Summer Reading and a free book at any of these locations:
June 19 — 12:00-3:00 p.m.
“Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth,” by Alice Faye Duncan.
Where: Juneteenth Celebration, N. King Drive between W. Burleigh and W. Center streets.
July 2 — 12:00-3:00 p.m.
“War at the Ice Cream Store: Mustachio Pistachio vs. Bully Vanilli,” by Cheryl DaVeiga and Dave Gibson.
Where: Tastee Twist, 2378 N. Teutonia Ave.
July 5 — 12:00-3:00 p.m.
“When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left,” by Peter Reynolds
Where: Summerfest, 200 N. Harbor Dr.
July 13 — 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
“A Dress with Pockets,” by Lily Murray.
Where: JazzyRaé Jewels & Accessories, 4307 W. Vliet St.
July 17 — 12:00-3:00 p.m.
“Darryl’s Dream,” by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
Where: Milwaukee Hip-Hop Museum, 2222 N. 19th St.
July 23 — 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
“Extra Yarn,” by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.
Where: J. Riley Creative crochet boutique, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., in Sherman Phoenix Marketplace
August 2 — 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
“Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut,” by Derrick Barnes.
Where: Gee’s Clippers, 2200 N. King Dr.
August 6 — 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
“Let’s Pop, Pop, Popcorn!” by Cynthia Schumerth, or “Pop! The Story of Otto, the Kernel Who Didn’t Pop,” by Karen Kilpatrick and Germán Blanco.
Where: Goody Gourmet, 6369 N. Green Bay Ave.