Usha Vance launches summer reading challenge: All about the programme and how can your kids participate in it

As the school year wraps up and summer stretches ahead, Second Lady Usha Vance is inviting children across the United States to dive into a world of imagination, learning, and discovery—all through the simple joy of reading.On June 1st, the Second Lady officially launched the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, a national initiative encouraging students from kindergarten through 8th grade to read 12 books of their choice over the summer. With rewards that include personalized certificates, small prizes, and even a chance to visit Washington, D.C., this challenge is more than just an activity—it’s a celebration of literacy aand childhood curiosity.

“Let the Reading Adventures Begin!”

In her warm message to participants, Usha Vance set the tone for a summer filled with stories:"Adventure, imagination, and discovery await—right between the pages of a book!"

Children have from June 1 to September 5, 2025, to complete the challenge. The rules are simple: pick 12 books, read them independently or with a family member, and record them using the official Reading Log. Once completed, participants are asked to reflect on their favorite book or character—either by writing or drawing—and submit their work along with the signed form.

What makes this challenge extra special? Every child who finishes will receive a personalized certificate and a small prize. Plus, those who submit their completed forms by the deadline will be entered into a nationwide drawing for a trip to the Nation’s Capital, accompanied by a parent or guardian.In an interview about the inspiration behind the initiative, @SLOTUS (the Second Lady of the United States) shared her concerns about the nationwide decline in reading scores and the ongoing issue of summer learning loss—a phenomenon where students forget academic skills over the break.

“I'm aware of these kinds of bigger problems—the decline in reading scores, the persistent problem with summer learning loss... So, my goal is to come up with small ways in which I can use my platform to counteract some of those issues,” Vance said.While she acknowledges that the challenge may not solve everything, she believes it can plant the seeds of a lifelong love of reading, especially for children who might otherwise fall behind during the summer months.

Here’s how students can participate

The structure of the challenge is designed to be accessible and engaging. Here's how students can participate:Step 1: Choose 12 books that excite you—any genre, any author.Step 2: Record each book in your Reading Log, noting the title, author, and start/finish dates.Step 3: After completing all 12, reflect on your reading by writing a short note or drawing a picture about your favorite book or character.Step 4: Have a parent or guardian sign the form and submit everything via email by September 5, 2025.The challenge is open to all U.S. children in grades K–8, and participation is entirely voluntary. But the rewards—both tangible and emotional—are clear: confidence in literacy, moments of quiet adventure, and a tangible goal to work toward.