South Queens, NY - Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens) is inviting students from Ozone Park, Howard Beach and across the Rockaway Peninsula to participate in the New York State Assembly’s annual Summer Reading Challenge, held in partnership with New York State Libraries. The theme for this year’s challenge is “All Together Now” to celebrate kindness and friendship. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded a state Assembly Excellence in Reading certificate to celebrate their achievement.

“Reading is vital for young New Yorkers’ intellectual development and offers them opportunities to become immersed in thrilling narratives, explore different worlds, discover new interests, or learn new skills,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. “To combat the loss of learning commonly experienced by students over summer break, known as the ‘summer slide,’ it’s vital for children to continue reading over the summer months. The Summer Reading Challenge is the perfect opportunity to inspire kids to regularly read throughout the summer and foster a love of learning within the next generation of leaders.”

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Summer Reading Challenge has inspired hundreds of children to participate and take up reading throughout the summer vacation. The challenge asks children to read for at least 15 minutes a day, for at least 40 days, during the months of July and August. Children can read by themselves or with a partner or caretaker and then mark the days on the calendar provided. After marking 40 days or more, they can submit the calendar to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s office to receive their certificate.

The Assemblywoman’s office has dropped off summer reading at every school in the 23rd Assembly District. You can also go to a local library to pick up a form or reach out to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato at Amatos@nyassembly.gov or call her office at 718-945-9550.