MARICOPA COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT.PDF

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Municipality Information
Date of Application:
Name of City, Town or County: Maricopa
Mayor or Board of Supervisor’s Chairman: Andy Kunasek
Mailing Address: 301 W. Jefferson St.
City: Phoenix State: AZ Zip Code: 85003
Department/Non-Profit Information
Department or Organization Name: Maricopa County Library District
Mailing Address: 2700 N. Central Ave. City: Phoenix State: AZ Zip Code: 85004
Contact Person*: Audrey Brownell Title: Fund-Raising Officer
Phone Number: 602-652-3047 E-mail Address: audreybrownell@mcldaz.org
*The individual listed here will be our direct point of contact for grant-related questions or requests for
information. Duplicates of all grant correspondence will be sent to the contact person.
Grant Information
Program or Project Name: 2014 Summer Reading Program
Purpose of Grant: The Library District offers a Summer Reading Program for Kids in its 17
libraries plus all other public libraries (44 affiliates) in Maricopa County to keep kids' reading
skills sharp for school in the Fall--grant funds would be used for book prizes, reading
incentives and programming for over 81,000 participants.
Beginning and ending dates of Program or Project:5/29/2013 to 7/26/2013
Amount Requested: $25,000.00 Total Project Cost: $657,626
Multi-year Request – If checked, # of years requested: Amount/year:
Priority Funding Area:
Economic Development Education Healthcare Public Safety Transportation
Geographic Area Served:Maricopa County
Signature:
Mayor OR Chairman BOS: Date:
Typed Name and Title: Andy Kunasek, Chairman, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Rev. 2/2012

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Application Format (outline)
Please structure your proposal to provide the following information in the order indicated. Use
the headings and subheadings provided. Then, in your own words, address the questions and
issues posed in the outline. The questions reflect the general interests and concerns of the Gila
River Indian Community, but are not intended to be conclusive. Additional information
pertinent to your project should be included. Please be thorough yet strive for brevity. Please
submit one original and five copies of your completed grant application, including attachments
A. NARRATIVE
1. Purpose of Grant
a) Describe the proposed program or project
b) Describe how the proposed program or project satisfies one or more of the “ priority
areas” identified by the Gila River Indian Community.
c) Identify the needs/problems to be addressed, target population and number of
people to be served by the project.
d) Describe the project goals and objectives, and your plan to meet them.
e) Define the project as a new or continuing program.
f) Identify other organizations, partners or funders participating in the project and
their roles (see attachments section).
g) Indicate any application to and/or awards made by a Tribe other than the Gila River
Indian Community for state shared revenues for this and/or any other
projects/programs.
h) Provide a timetable for implementation.
i) Identify long-term funding resources or project sustainability.
2. Reports
• Describe your plan to document progress and results. Interim and final reports will
be required for every grant awarded.
B. ATTACHMENTS
Required Attachments:
1. A resolution from the applicable governing body in support of the proposed project
(eligible City, Town or County).
2. A proposed budget for the program or project.
3. List of other funders, potential funders and amounts committed or requested in support
of the proposed project.
Optional Attachments:
1. Letters of support (optional) that substantiate need for the project and collaboration with
other organizations.
Rev. 2/2012

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Budget
An accurate, detailed budget for proposed projects is a primary requirement of this grant
application. This portion of your proposal should break down the total budget into specific
items for your project. Please include a narrative description explaining any unusual budget
items. “ In-Kind” expenses and donations, grants or matching funds should also be spelled out.
Please include the following information in your budget. You may use this or a similar
format.
A. BUDGET PERIOD (e.g.1/ 1/ 20XX to12/31/20XX):
7/1/2013 to 6/30/2014
B. EXPENSES
Please itemize expenses that are applicable to your program or project. Please note:
Columns will not total automatically if a currency field is left blank.
Proposed Budget Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget
(list each budget item) Requested secured from Expense
from GRIC other
Funders
Reading Incentives, Book & $25,000.00 $0.00 $610,178.00 $635,178.00
Drawing prizes,programming*
Printing and supplies $0.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00
Advertising $0.00 $0.00 $10,000 $10,000
Evanced Software $0.00 $0.00 $2,448.00 $2,448
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Rev. 2/2012

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total Budget $25,000.00 $0.00 $632,626.00 $657,626.00
Rev. 2/2012

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
C. BUDGET DETAIL, IF APPLICABLE (Narrative description of unusual budget items, in-
kind expenses, donations, etc.)
Budget Narrative:
*The Library District budgets a designated amount for the Summer Reading Program’s
reading incentives, book prizes & programming. Its budget is limited and cannot defray
the entire cost. At the time of this grant application submittal (May 7, 2013), the 2013
program has not even started as yet and no funders are secured as yet for 2014. Over
$114,000 has been received from Friends’ groups, corporations and foundations for the
2013 program to date.
The District is still waiting to hear from most of the Friends’ groups. They often do not
donate until after the program ends when final tallies of incentives, book prizes and
performers for their libraries is known.
The budget for the reading incentives, book prizes & programming is determined by the
number of books & incentives awarded in previous year and adjusted to reflect additional
libraries participating. In 2012, over 12,439 book prize coupons were redeemed. Since
the goal is to get a book into the hands of children, the book cost is determined first. The
base cost for a book in 2013 is $6.52 per child & $8.25 per teen (library discount price &
shipping). The choice of the other incentive prizes purchased is based on what is affordable
after the cost of books has been deducted from the budget.
The reading incentives are selected to relate to theme, safety, cost, and popularity.
Handling objects is one of the first methods by which a child learns cognitive skills, form
sounds and words, and to speak and read. In the fall, a list of “ prizes under consideration”
is posted on the Library’s website. Children vote for their favorites and the items with the
most votes are the ones purchased. Number of performances, such as puppet shows,
magicians, etc. is determined by the remaining budget.
Rev. 2/2012

2014 Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
MARICOPA COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
A. NARRATIVE
1. Purpose of Grant
a) Describe the proposed program or project
During the summer break from school, Maricopa County Library District essentially picks up where
schools leave off with an exciting, activity-filled, eight-week drop-in program designed to get kids,
primarily in to read by encouraging them to read for fun. The K-3rd graders is the largest group of
participants. We see these ages as the most exciting time to participate as this group is just learning to
read or is able to read independently and still exploring the joys of reading for pleasure. It’s a time when
they can benefit most from positive reading modeling behavior.
In 2013 the program expanded to include every library system in the County (including Phoenix Public
Library…making it one of the largest Summer Reading Programs in the United States. And, possibly the
only one in the United States that awards a free book as final prize. To reflect the scope of the expanded
program, the Library District renamed it “Maricopa County Reads”. The 2014 theme is Science.
The Maricopa County Library District greatly appreciates the Gila River Indian Community’s support of its
2012 program. The Library District respectfully requests the Gila River Indian Community to please
consider a grant in the amount of $25,000 in support of the 2014 Summer Reading Program. The grant
would be used towards supporting the program specifically for the libraries located in the area of the Gila
River Indian Community. This includes the Library District’s branches in Queen Creek, Gilbert (2), Sun
Lakes, and Guadalupe. Plus, the affiliate libraries in Avondale (2), Chandler (4), Tempe, Mesa (4) and
South Phoenix (3).
Studies find that when schools close their doors for the summer, the opportunity to read is often closed
with them, especially for those children without access to books. The backbone of summer reading is to
motivate children to maintain their reading skills during the summer break through fun and constructive
library experiences. Every year has a new theme with special programs, performers, and activities that
revolve around the chosen theme promoting it in interesting and dynamic ways. The K-3rd grade children
especially can gain literacy skills from the singing, repeating, and moving to musical rhythms presented
in the special library programs that schools usually don’t have time to do during the year.
As readers move through the program (by tracking the time, pages, or books they’ve read over the
summer) they earn and are awarded incentives according to their different age levels. They track their
reading progress online and submit book reviews to earn prizes. The fourth and final incentive has
always been truly unique to the Library District’s program—every child receives a free book upon
finishing.
The program is open to all children ages birth-18 yrs. old in support of families with children of multiple
ages --truly making it a family-oriented program! Plus, an adult division (18 & over) was added in 2012.
The program encourages parents to play a greater role in their child’s literacy development. Everyone
may join online or at any public library in the County.
The program plays an important role for children, teens and families by filling the summer vacation gap
from school with a program that keeps kids’ reading skills sharp for the next school year by helping
overcome Summer Reading Loss. During the summer, the emphasis is on encouraging children to read
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just for enjoyment. Research confirms that children who participated in a summer reading program are
less likely to lose their literacy skills over summer and return to school better prepared. The fact that
these opportunities are free at the Library is an added benefit for many families facing economic
hardships.
The program’s mainstay components from year to year include: Gameboards, Prizes, Programming, and
Website all of which change annually to complement the latest theme.
There are three aged-based levels of reading goals and gameboards with a specific number of spaces to
be checked off as the child accomplishes the designated amount of reading.
Reading Incentives/prizes - Awarding Book Prizes is a meaningful way to reward the children’s reading
accomplishments. Children who complete the program receive a voucher they can redeem for a free
book of their choice from list compiled by youth librarians. Vouchers are redeemed through
MyLibraryBookstore, the District’s online book purchasing service and books are shipped directly to the
child’s home by the service provider. Kids love it because they “earned” the book, they picked it out, and,
it comes in the mail addressed to them. It is a total experience based entirely on books and reading.
Rewarding children for their reading accomplishments reinforces the habit of reading and leads to life-
long readers and learners. Book prizes are important because, as research shows, the typical middle-
class child enters first grade with 1,000-1,700 hours of one-on-one picture book reading, whereas a child
from a low-income family averages just 25 hours. 47% of public-aid parents report no alphabet books in
the home, in contrast with only 3% of professional parents report the absence of such books.
Programming - offers extensive enrichment activities often not included in schools. Examples include:
storytellers, puppet shows, crafts, music activities and more. While entertaining, the programs are also
educational and enrich reading experiences, encourage children to read themselves, hear stories read
aloud and write about what they read.
Website - The website’s online process makes it possible for children to post reviews of books they read
during the program and share their opinions with other children about what they had read…and, at the
same time, reinforce their reading comprehension and writing skills.
The Summer Reading website provides valuable resources for children and parents including suggested
book lists for each age group and summer reading events, programs, performances, etc. in the libraries.
The prereader program includes an Early Literacy Resource Center for parents & caregivers with tips,
activities, and suggestions on developing young readers.
The Library District’s Summer Reading Program gives parents a proven learning tool that engages and
excites youngsters as it raises literacy levels. This is a critically important experience that keeps children
learning –and engaged in the wonderful act of reading – even when the school year is over.
Public libraries, through their summer reading programs, put books in the hands of children. This is the
best antidote for the summer reading loss and gain. Access to books and library programs over the
summer results in more reading which, in turn, results in improved reading skills.
Additional financial support from the community is greatly appreciated so that the Library District can
provide the amount of reading incentives, programming, and book prizes needed that are integral to the
success of the Summer Reading Program and makes it possible to provide the program to the affiliate
libraries not operated by the District.
b) Describe how the proposed program or project satisfies one or more of the “priority
areas” identified by the Gila River Indian Community.
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The mission of the Maricopa County Library District is to provide access to reading, exploring and
discovering for all so they can be lifelong learners.
The Summer Reading Program fits the Gila River Indian Community’s priority area of Education because
it is a program that encourages and provides opportunities for lifelong learning for constituents from
infants to elders. We also share a common concern and passion for providing quality early education
programs and services.
c) Identify the needs/problems to be addressed, target population and number of
people to be served by the project.
Although summertime may mean a vacation from the classroom, it should never be a break in any child's
intellectual development. Fortunately, many children have abundant opportunities for summer learning in
their homes and communities, and as a result most kids gain points on standardized tests from June to
September, even if they haven't entered a school or opened a textbook during the months in between.
This summer learning comes from reading books, singing songs, playing games, listening to stories,
taking trips, and all kinds of other fun activities that kids rarely realize are actually good for them.
“Background knowledge” is one reason children who read the most bring the largest amount of
information to the table and thus understand more of what the teacher or the textbook is teaching.
Children, whose families take them to museums and zoos, who visit historic sites, who travel, or who
camp in remote areas, accumulate huge chunks of background knowledge without even studying. For
many other children lacking the travel portfolio of affluence, the best way to accumulate background
knowledge is either by being read to or by reading.
However, this kind of summer learning can be more difficult for children of low-income and other
disadvantaged families. On average, these kids have less access to material resources such as books
and computers, fewer enriching experiences such as family trips and summer camps, as well as fewer
high-quality educational interactions with their parents, whose time and energy are often consumed by
the challenges of struggling with poverty, raising a family as a single parent, and countless other
obstacles.
Findings from a study on reluctant readers suggest that the type of reading modeled in the home is an
important factor in producing voluntary readers. Many of the reluctant readers in this study reported that
they saw their parents reading the newspaper or materials related to work on a fairly regular basis, but
rarely saw anyone in their homes reading books or novels for enjoyment. Avid readers in this study,
however, were more likely to see adults or siblings reading novels and other materials more associated
with pleasure reading. This study suggests that if parents want to raise children who voluntarily choose to
read, then they must show the importance of reading for pleasure by modeling reading themselves and
by reading a variety of materials at home including books and novels.
Summer reading programs are an efficient, fun way to incorporate reading and related activities into
summer family time. Benefits include:
• reading skills gets better when it is practiced.
• reading helps improve writing style.
• librarians make a difference in the amount children read.
• children read more when they listen to and discuss stories.
• reluctant readers can be drawn in by the activities
• reading over the summer helps children keep their skills up
• the program can generate interest in the library and books
• provides opportunities for lifelong learning - The pursuit of knowledge through lifelong learning
has wonderful benefits for adults, especially those over the age of 50.
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Summer reading programs are among a public library’s most direct contributions to education. Kids who
participate in summer reading activities maintain their reading skills better than those who do not. They
do not backslide as much as classmates who do not participate and consequently do not have to spend
the first two months of the new school year relearning skills that they had when school ended the
previous Spring. The research also shows that public library summer reading programs, encouraging
voluntary reading, are among the most effective tools at preventing this educational loss, more so than
attendance at day camp, even more so than summer school programs.
Because an overall goal of the program is to put books into the hands of children, the Library District is
fully committed to awarding books as a “Grand Prize” as a meaningful way to reward the children’s
reading accomplishments. By the end of the 2012 program, 16,495 children and teens received a book
of their choice as the final incentive for completing the program compared to.
Target population:
Children ages birth to 17 years old for children’s program. Ages 18 and over for Adult program in
Maricopa County. Percentage of participants expected to be male is 46% and female is 54%.
Number served:
In 2013, with the addition of more affiliate libraries, the estimated number of registered participants is
81,000. Also the number of people attending programs is estimated to increase to 40,000-50,000.
BY THE NUMBERS:
81,000 kids ages 0-18 estimated to register in 2013. 39,797 participated in 2012 plus 4,384 adults: total
44,181.
25,314 children & families attended 634 programs in 2012. 40,000 anticipated in 2013.
61 libraries in 2014. 17 in Library District & 44 affiliate libraries. Of that total the 19 libraries that would be
sponsored by this grant are located in areas near the Gila River Indian Community.
16,495 children received a free book for completing the program in 2012.
10-½ is average number of books checked out per child in 2012 over 8-week program.
Children wrote 9,665 online book reviews in 2012.
$657,625 - total 2014 budget (covers reading incentives, performers and programming, book prize
incentive, drawing prizes, Evanced software for summer reading program, printing & supplies, and
advertising).
d) Describe the project goals and objectives, and your plan to meet them.
Outcome: Change the attitudes to positive towards reading of at least 10% of participants.
Plan: Tailor programming to meet the needs of specific age groups. Promote reading materials in an
appealing way.
Evaluation Method: Surveys of kids and parents at the end of the program that asks specific questions
regarding the kids’ attitudes towards reading before program and after the program. Staff observation
and anecdotal comments from kids and parents.
Outcome: Increase the percentage of participants who complete the program over the percentage in
2013.
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Evaluation Method: Statistics of total online registrations and number of book vouchers distributed at end
of program.
e) Define the project as a new or continuing program.
The Library District has offered some variation of summer reading programs since the 1970-80s making
it a continuing (and growing) program.
2013: 81,000 (0-17) projected to register. 40,000 anticipated to attend programs.
2012: 39,797 (0-17) and 4,384 (18 & over) = 44,181 plus 25,314 children & families attended 634
programs in 2012.
2011: 32,384 (0-18) and 24,082 attended 536 programs
f) Identify other organizations, partners or funders participating in the project and
their roles. (see attachments section.)
2013 Financial Donors:
Friends Groups of the Maricopa County Library District
Target
Summer Youth Program Fund
Arizona State Library
2013 Product Donors of free admissions and/or free food item(s) totaling nearly $1.5-million in
value:
Chipotle Phoenix Zoo
Arizona Science Center Sonic
Arizona Museum of Natural History Whataburger
BounceU Wet N’ Wild
Brunswick Bowling Skateland & USA Great Skate of Glendale
Childsplay Desert Botanical Gardens
GameWorks
Golfland Sunsplash
Peter Piper Pizza
g) Indicate any application to and/or awards made by a Tribe other than the Gila River
Indian Community for state shared revenues for this and/or any other
projects/programs.
No other applications have been made to any other Tribes for this project.
h) Provide a timetable for implementation.
The team of Library District Youth Services Manager, Teen Services Manager and Adult Services
Manager are the primary planners to identify, develop, organize, and implement best practices for the
prereader, children, teen, and adult summer reading program. They are aided by librarians from the
affiliate libraries.
May 30 – July 27, 2013 - 2013 Summer Reading Program, “Dig Into Reading”
5

September 2013 – orders for artwork & materials from State Library for 2014 program.
October 2013 – choose program dates, choose theme for prereader division, incentive prize quantities,
and budget.
Review the ongoing Goals of Summer Reading:
To motivate families, children and teens to read for pleasure
To develop positive attitudes about reading and books
To enable children to maintain their reading skills during the summer
To encourage regular use and visits to the library
Identify adjustments and improvements for 2014 program. Select prizes for safety, price & age
appropriateness, request prize samples and costs from approved vendors.
November 2013 - Conduct online voting for favorite prizes, select vendors, ideas for gameboards.
December 2013 – Review results from online voting and prize samples, and finalize gameboard art
design, ideas for content of book lists, & web links.
Jan – Feb. 2014 – Incentives: award prize contracts, place orders, develop list of performers,
suggestions for library materials to flesh out collection for summer, discuss weekly website content.
March 2014 – List of books for grand prizes sent to vendor, print pieces approved, book performers,
discuss school promotions, Evanced software training & customer surveys.
April 2014 - Finalize programming, performances, activities, distribute printed materials & prizes to
libraries, press releases, etc. sent.
May 29 – July 26, 2014– (approx. start & end dates for the 8-week program) – Program is in progress.
September 2014 - Program evaluation.
i) Identify long-term funding resources.
Maricopa County Library District - provides the staff for Summer Reading as part of its annual budget.
Summer Reading is the District’s largest program and one of its core services. In addition, the District’s
budget includes in-kind funds for the Summer Reading book prizes, reading incentives, special programs
& performers, graphics, plus the website and tech support. The affiliate libraries provide their regular
paid staff to oversee the program in their libraries.
Individual Library District’s Friends’ groups – For many years the Friends have provided additional
funding for book prizes, reading incentives and special programs as the major part of their ongoing
mission to support the Library District.
Due to the growth of the Summer Reading Program in the past few years, the District reaches out to
more foundations and corporations to augment funding from the Library Friends and Library District
budget. The Summer Youth Program Fund has provided ongoing support for the past five consecutive
years demonstrating its ongoing trust and regard for the Library District’s program.
The Summer Reading Program also received support in the form of in-kind product donations from a
number of companies and organizations.
2. Reports
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Describe your plan to document progress and results. Interim and final reports will
be required for every grant awarded.
Evanced software for the online summer reading program is used for registration process, tracking
statistics as well as providing a place for participants to track the books they’ve read, write book reviews
and collect prizes at the different milestones.
The online registration component of the program allows the District to track the number of kids
registering, ages, how many reach each gameboard level, how many complete the program and how
many redeem vouchers for grand prize of a book.
Attendance at library programs is recorded by staff and the District tracks how many library materials
were checked out during the nine weeks of the program to report on circulation activity. Online surveys of
the participants and focus groups for teens further provide information.
The Library District monitors many of the statistics daily and weekly, such as number of online
registrations, online book reviews, program attendance and library circulations figures. We can use this
information as we gather it to provide detailed interim reports and of course, final reports as requested.
Additional information:
Locations:
The Library District operates 17 libraries in the following towns & cities within Maricopa County: Aguila,
Anthem, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, Gilbert (2), Goodyear, Guadalupe, Litchfield Park, Queen
Creek, Surprise (2), Sun Lakes, Sun City (2) and Waddell (in the White Tank Mountain Regional Park).
The District also provides the program to 44 affiliate libraries, not operated by the District, located in
these towns & cities: Avondale (2), Buckeye, Chandler (4), Cave Creek, Glendale (3), Mesa (4),
Morristown, Peoria (2), Phoenix Public Library (17 locations), Scottsdale (5), Tolleson, Wickenburg and
Youngtown.
Sponsor Recognition:
The Library District would be pleased to recognize a grant from the Gila River Indian Community and
generate increased awareness of the Community in the following ways:
GRIC’s logo to be displayed on these promotional venues through May-July 2014:
● Library District website: Logo on homepage (over 3-million visits annually)
Summer Reading page on website: with link to GRIC’s website and logo on every page of site.
● Mention on Library District’s Facebook page and Press Releases.
● Plasma Screens in 17 Libraries & Admin offices: Individual screen thanking GRI C shown approx.
116,000 times during May, June, July 2014. Also: GRI C logo on screen thanking all sponsors and
logo on general Summer Reading ad screens.
● Signs/posters: Logo on SRP signs/posters in all libraries.
● Early promotions in schools: (in March/April 2013).
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ATTACHMENT – Other Funders
Maricopa County Library District
SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2014
Potential Funders and amounts donated/pending in 2013 and amounts to be requested in 2014:
Library District Budget - $475,178 in 2013 (budget $657,626 in 2014)
Friends of the Library groups - $14,000 received and $46,000 still pending in 2013. Some of the
groups contribute at the end of the program after number of book prizes needed is known (asking
$70,000 in 2014)
Target - $50,000 in 2013 (asking $100,000 in 2014)
Summer Youth Program Fund – $25,000 grant received in 2013 (asking $25,000 in 2014 largest
amount they give)
(also received: 2012 - $25,000, 2011 - $25,000, 2010 - $25,000, 2009 - $20,000)
Arizona State Library - $25,000 in 2013 (not sure what they can do in 2014)
(Plus others not yet identified)
2013 Product Donors (tickets, coupons, prizes, publicity, etc.) participating:
Chipotle Peter Piper Pizza
Arizona Republic Phoenix Zoo
12 News Sonic
Arizona Museum of Natural History Whataburger
Arizona Science Center Wet N’ Wild
BounceU Skateland & USA Great Skate of Glendale
Brunswick Bowling Childsplay
GameWorks Desert Botanical Gardens
Golfland Sunsplash

Comments from kids in the 2012 Summer Reading Program
about books they choose to read
The Escape from Jabar-Loo by Tony Abbott
“I like this book because it is full of adventure and a very exciting book that you can never stop
reading .”
Marie-Grace and the Orphans by Sarah Masters Buckey
“This book is the best book that I have ever read. I like it because it taught me to think more
about how others feel about things than doing what we want to do.”
Arrow to the Sun by Gerald McDermott
“A very interesting depiction of an Pueblo Indian folktale about the Lord of the Sun and his Son.
Nice colorful pages with busy patterns make this book unique. “
The 39 Clues, The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
“This book is a mystery and adventure. I recommend it to people who like mysteries. My favorite
part is when they go to a museum of Benjamin Franklin. They have a black light and they reveal
secret messages on the letters.”
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
“I thought the book was pretty good. It teaches you about old time Egyptian gods and
goddesses. I like this author but he's done better books. I recommend this to readers who like
mythical creatures.”
Magic Tree House Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne
“I liked it because there were lots of funny parts. And I got to learn about Egypt and what the
writings on the walls mean.”
Matilda by Ronald Dahl
“How would you know that a little 5 year old girl would be able to multiply 3x429? Well, Matilda
can!”
The Silver Chair C. S. Lewis
“THIS BOOK IS EXTEMLY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! I TOTALLY RECOMEND READING IT
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
The Wind In the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
“This is a great book. My Mom read it as a read-aloud. It is a great read-aloud and a great
book!!!! I recamend it!”
You would't want to be Pony Express Rider by Tom Ratliff
“You pretend that you are a rider who sends mail in 10 days while travling 2,000 miles.It is hard
when might face diease, floods,and snow.”
A GREEN, GREEN GARDEN by Mercer Mayer
“I LIKE READING ABOUT HOW THEY GREW THEIR GARDEN AND THEN ATE IT FOR
DINNER.”

Support Comments From Parents and Kids in the 2012 Summer Reading Program
“The summer reading program is great for my kids. It gets them excited about reading and that is hard to do
during the summer. They enjoy the prizes and remember how to read when school starts. It is great. Thanks so
much.”
“My family looks forward to participating in the summer reading program. It is a cornerstone of our summer.”
“I got to learn how to read more and have pictures in my head.”
“This program helps keep my kids excited about reading throughout the summer which is so important to keep up
reading even when they are not in school.”
“Great motivator for children to read during the summer.”
One mother of a tween commented that her daughter did not like to read, but was very motivated by our reading
program and was nagging her mom to take her to the library for more books. Mom was very complimentary and
liked the program.
“We LOVE the Summer Reading Program at the Queen Creek Library!”
“I love the book voucher for my kids. They remember which book they earned from the library and treasure it all
year long.”
“My grandaughters and I love to go to the library and check out books and videos. We also like the Summer
Reading Program, we appreciate your services always nice and helpful.”
“Thanks to the library for offering this awesome program and thank you to all of the sponsors.”
“This has helped both my daughter and son gain more strength in their reading since they are both a grade behind
in school.
“As both a teacher and a parent, this is an amazing program that encourages children to be excited about
reading.”
“What I love the most about this program was that I was rewarded for doing something that isn’t typically
recognized”
“It’s an amazing program, never cancel it, it’s great!”
“This program really helped keep me on track a bit more for my Summer Reading Assignment for high school.”
“Enjoyed that I was able to participate with my 9 month old.”
”Very important program for local families. I work in a district high school library, and always encourage the
students to participate in this program.”
One affiliate: “Without this invitation to participate, we would not be able to receive all the training, outreach,
materials, programs, and support that all the other libraries in a system (Maricopa County Library District) receive.
We would certainly not be able to do it on our own. The District’s program is a thoughtful and educational
undertaking. It is well-managed and executed. The reading incentives are purposeful and appropriate for age-
related reading levels. The registration process is streamlined and user-friendly. The results produce good
reports and outcomes.”