In 2020, HN started Summer Reading Kits to help students maintain academic skills during summer break. According to Scholastic, children in grades 3rd through 5th lose an average of 20% of their school gains in reading while school is out for summer. These kits aim to combat that “summer set-back” by encouraging children to read. Parents and librarians appreciate the help! In 2026, HN will provide 450 kits across Nebraska!
Summer Reading Kits are provided for families all over the state, including rural communities. Each kit includes a bilingual discussion guide, art supplies, and 3 popular titles from HN’s Prime Time program in both English and Spanish. Titles selected by staff for the summer of 2026 were chosen based on the Prime Time Nourish series with a focus on food traditions and how recipes can connect us to family and cultural histories.
- Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
- ¡Gracias, Omu! by Oge Mora (Spanish edition)
- The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka (bilingual in English & Spanish)
- Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
- ¡Qué Montón de Tamales! by Gary Soto (Spanish edition)
HN thanks the donors who make Summer Reading Kits possible!
