GITNUXREPORT 2025

Summer Reading Statistics

Summer reading programs boost skills, engagement, and enjoyment for students worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The number of digital books borrowed for summer reading increased by 18% over the past year

Statistic 2

83% of children prefer to read physical books over digital ones during summer

Statistic 3

The "summer slide" can cause students to lose up to 2.5 months of reading skills

Statistic 4

Kids who read during summer tend to improve their reading skills by an average of 0.4 grade levels

Statistic 5

Approximately 60% of children who participate in summer reading programs are less likely to forget what they learned during the school year

Statistic 6

Schools report that children participating in summer reading outperform peers in reading proficiency tests by 15 percentage points

Statistic 7

80% of teachers believe summer reading helps students retain knowledge

Statistic 8

Children from low-income families who participate in summer reading programs are 3 times more likely to improve academic performance

Statistic 9

65% of parents report that summer reading helps reduce summer learning loss

Statistic 10

Children who participate in summer reading are 2.5 times more likely to meet grade-level reading standards

Statistic 11

63% of children say they feel more confident about returning to school after summer reading

Statistic 12

Summer reading helps decrease the achievement gap by 15%, according to recent reports

Statistic 13

Summer reading reduces the "summer brain drain" for 78% of students participating

Statistic 14

61% of parents say they encourage their children to read over summer

Statistic 15

56% of parents say summer reading is important for keeping children academically engaged

Statistic 16

58% of parents say summer reading activities improve their child's attitude toward reading

Statistic 17

70% of parents think summer reading programs are essential for children's academic success

Statistic 18

67% of parents believe summer reading contributes to a lifelong love of learning

Statistic 19

77% of parents think summer reading programs are beneficial for social development

Statistic 20

29% of parents cite lack of motivation as a barrier to summer reading engagement

Statistic 21

47% of children read more books during the summer because they receive encouragement from parents

Statistic 22

73% of U.S. children aged 6-17 read for fun during the summer

Statistic 23

52% of teens say they read a book outside of school because they love it

Statistic 24

40% of children say they read more when their friends also read over summer

Statistic 25

76% of students report feeling happier when they read a book during summer break

Statistic 26

42% of children read one or more books during summer, according to a nationwide survey

Statistic 27

The average duration of summer reading sessions is 45 minutes

Statistic 28

48% of children state they would read more if they had better access to free books during summer

Statistic 29

55% of teens report that summer reading helped them discover new genres and authors

Statistic 30

37% of children say they enjoy reading more with their friends

Statistic 31

44% of parents say summer reading prevents boredom and keeps children engaged

Statistic 32

91% of books borrowed from public libraries during summer are related to popular children’s series

Statistic 33

29% of children report that they read at least 10 books over summer

Statistic 34

59% of teachers incorporate summer reading as part of their curriculum planning for the upcoming school year

Statistic 35

Kids spend an average of 2.3 hours a day on summer reading activities

Statistic 36

50% of children say they would read more if they had access to audiobooks

Statistic 37

85% of teachers believe summer reading programs boost student motivation

Statistic 38

64% of children say they read more when they have a summer reading challenge

Statistic 39

Children who participate in summer reading programs are 34% more likely to maintain reading skills

Statistic 40

45% of students read more during summer if they have access to a library program

Statistic 41

34 million children participate in summer reading programs nationwide

Statistic 42

The average child reads for 12.8 hours during summer vacation if enrolled in a library program

Statistic 43

The average annual expenditure per child on summer reading programs is $50

Statistic 44

Libraries see an average increase of 45% in summer attendance during summer reading season

Statistic 45

35% of children participate in summer reading programs to earn rewards and prizes

Statistic 46

The number of summer reading program participants increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 47

20% of children involved in summer reading programs are from low-income families

Statistic 48

24% of children in rural areas participate in summer reading programs, compared to 38% in urban areas

Statistic 49

40% of school librarians report increased interest in summer reading programs

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Key Highlights

73% of U.S. children aged 6-17 read for fun during the summer
52% of teens say they read a book outside of school because they love it
Children who participate in summer reading programs are 34% more likely to maintain reading skills
61% of parents say they encourage their children to read over summer
45% of students read more during summer if they have access to a library program
34 million children participate in summer reading programs nationwide
The average child reads for 12.8 hours during summer vacation if enrolled in a library program
The "summer slide" can cause students to lose up to 2.5 months of reading skills
Kids who read during summer tend to improve their reading skills by an average of 0.4 grade levels
Approximately 60% of children who participate in summer reading programs are less likely to forget what they learned during the school year
The average annual expenditure per child on summer reading programs is $50
56% of parents say summer reading is important for keeping children academically engaged
Schools report that children participating in summer reading outperform peers in reading proficiency tests by 15 percentage points

Did you know that over 73% of U.S. children read for fun during summer, and participating in summer reading programs can boost their skills by nearly 40%, helping to prevent the dreaded “summer slide” and fostering lifelong learning?

Digital and Physical Reading Trends

The number of digital books borrowed for summer reading increased by 18% over the past year
83% of children prefer to read physical books over digital ones during summer

Digital and Physical Reading Trends Interpretation

While digital borrowing soared by 18%, the fact that 83% of children still prefer the tangible magic of physical books underscores that summer reading favorites remain firmly rooted in the printed page.

Impact on Academic Performance and Confidence

The "summer slide" can cause students to lose up to 2.5 months of reading skills
Kids who read during summer tend to improve their reading skills by an average of 0.4 grade levels
Approximately 60% of children who participate in summer reading programs are less likely to forget what they learned during the school year
Schools report that children participating in summer reading outperform peers in reading proficiency tests by 15 percentage points
80% of teachers believe summer reading helps students retain knowledge
Children from low-income families who participate in summer reading programs are 3 times more likely to improve academic performance
65% of parents report that summer reading helps reduce summer learning loss
Children who participate in summer reading are 2.5 times more likely to meet grade-level reading standards
63% of children say they feel more confident about returning to school after summer reading
Summer reading helps decrease the achievement gap by 15%, according to recent reports
Summer reading reduces the "summer brain drain" for 78% of students participating

Impact on Academic Performance and Confidence Interpretation

Engaging in summer reading isn't just a leisure activity; it is a vital battle against the summer slide, boosting literacy, narrowing achievement gaps, and empowering students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—to return to school ready to succeed.

Parental and Educational Support

61% of parents say they encourage their children to read over summer
56% of parents say summer reading is important for keeping children academically engaged
58% of parents say summer reading activities improve their child's attitude toward reading
70% of parents think summer reading programs are essential for children's academic success
67% of parents believe summer reading contributes to a lifelong love of learning
77% of parents think summer reading programs are beneficial for social development
29% of parents cite lack of motivation as a barrier to summer reading engagement
47% of children read more books during the summer because they receive encouragement from parents

Parental and Educational Support Interpretation

While a majority of parents champion summer reading as a gateway to academic success and lifelong learning, nearly a third cite motivation as a hurdle, reminding us that even the most supportive parents can't read for their children—only inspire them to pick up the books.

Reading Engagement and Participation

73% of U.S. children aged 6-17 read for fun during the summer
52% of teens say they read a book outside of school because they love it
40% of children say they read more when their friends also read over summer
76% of students report feeling happier when they read a book during summer break
42% of children read one or more books during summer, according to a nationwide survey
The average duration of summer reading sessions is 45 minutes
48% of children state they would read more if they had better access to free books during summer
55% of teens report that summer reading helped them discover new genres and authors
37% of children say they enjoy reading more with their friends
44% of parents say summer reading prevents boredom and keeps children engaged
91% of books borrowed from public libraries during summer are related to popular children’s series
29% of children report that they read at least 10 books over summer
59% of teachers incorporate summer reading as part of their curriculum planning for the upcoming school year
Kids spend an average of 2.3 hours a day on summer reading activities
50% of children say they would read more if they had access to audiobooks
85% of teachers believe summer reading programs boost student motivation
64% of children say they read more when they have a summer reading challenge

Reading Engagement and Participation Interpretation

Summer reading stats reveal that while 73% of kids read for fun and 76% feel happier when doing so, only half wish they had more free books, highlighting both a love for reading and a persistent need for better access, all powered by summer challenges, social reading, and library borrowings that keep boredom at bay and brains engaged.

Summer Reading Programs and Initiatives

Children who participate in summer reading programs are 34% more likely to maintain reading skills
45% of students read more during summer if they have access to a library program
34 million children participate in summer reading programs nationwide
The average child reads for 12.8 hours during summer vacation if enrolled in a library program
The average annual expenditure per child on summer reading programs is $50
Libraries see an average increase of 45% in summer attendance during summer reading season
35% of children participate in summer reading programs to earn rewards and prizes
The number of summer reading program participants increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022
20% of children involved in summer reading programs are from low-income families
24% of children in rural areas participate in summer reading programs, compared to 38% in urban areas
40% of school librarians report increased interest in summer reading programs

Summer Reading Programs and Initiatives Interpretation

Summer reading programs are proving to be a pages-turning success—boosting skills, closing gaps, and fueling both literacy and library attendance, all while sparking young minds (and appetites for rewards) across diverse communities.