Registration for the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s THIS BOOK IS COOL! is open. This FREE summer book adventure, fully funded by The Patterson Foundation, is designed to engage the minds of incoming students in grades PreK–3 and encourage their continued learning through reading.
THIS BOOK IS COOL! is a series of 100 webisodes to encourage a love of reading. It premiered on June 1, 2020, and since then, thousands of children from across the Suncoast region have qualified to receive free books. In 2023, 4,012 kiddos participated. The SCGLR distributed 80,240 books in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. 2,607 children completed the challenge, reporting a total of 100,695 books read during the summer months!
Participating children receive:
20 free books
An activity guide with activities and word puzzles that correspond to the books
Regular contact with a SCGLR Engagement Team
SCGLR will distribute books and hand out rewards to qualifying children (grades PreK–3) who are registered and fully participating in THIS BOOK IS COOL!
To maintain an active status in THIS BOOK IS COOL!, parents must submit the total number of books their child has read biweekly.
To qualify for THIS BOOK IS COOL!, you must be:
A resident of Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, or Sarasota counties
Entering PreK-3rd grade
Enrolled at a Title I school, eligible for free/reduced lunch, or have other demonstrable need.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER IN ENGLISH
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER IN SPANISH
**This program is designed for families with limited means. If they don't believe their child would qualify based on income but would still like to be a part of the program, we suggest they make a donation of $80 to Season of Sharing. Donate here: https://www.cfsarasota.org/donors/support-season-of-sharing