Summer reading programs provide children the opportunities to continue to advance their reading achievements during the summer. "Researchers found that the amount of reading done outside of school was consistently related to gains in reading achievement." The listed resources detail the importance of summer reading in a child's educational future.

Anderson, R. C., Hiebert E. H., Scott  J. A., & Wilkinson I. A. G.. Becoming a Nation of Readers: The Report of the Commission on Reading. Washington D.C.: US Department of Education, National Institute on Education, 1985.

This report by the US Department of Education examines the role of independent reading in a student's ongoing reading ability. It has been shown by researchers that the amount of reading done outside of school directly related to reading achievement.

Celano, D., & Neuman S. B.. The Role of Public Libraries in Children's Literacy Development: An Evaluation Report. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Library Association, 2001.

Philadelphia area children were observed for literacy achievement; one group was enrolled in a local recreation program while the second group participated in the public library's summer reading program.  This study showed the connection between reading scores and participation in summer reading programs.

Cunningham, J.W.. “Report of the National Reading Panel: teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction.” Reading Research Quarterly, 36(3), 326–335, 2001.

An important finding of this review of hundreds of related studies revealed that "the more children read, the better their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension."

Dominican University. The Dominican study: public library summer reading programs close the reading gap. 2010.

Funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University conducted a three-year study into the connection between scholastic achievement and public library summer reading programs.  This study showed that students who participated in summer reading programs scored higher in reading tests and returned to school in the fall confident in their reading skills and read more in their free time.

Ed.gov. Arne Duncan on Summer Learning. 2009.

Watch this video interview with the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, where he stresses the need for more time to instruct students and the terrible loss in reading skills that takes place over the summer.

Elling, D. M. (2009, July) "Department of Ed encourages summer learning programs." Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, 2009.

The Mott Educational Foundation discusses the Department of Education’s focus on the creation summer programs that will continue to aid a student's development outside of school.

McGill-Franzen, A., & Allington R. "Bridging the Summer Reading Gap." Instructor, 112 no. 8, May/June 2003.

The University of Florida demonstrate that parents and teachers can help their students prevent a loss of knowledge of the summer.  This article shows that students who read at least six books over the summer will retain the reading skills they achieved over the previous school year.

McGill-Franzen, A., & Allington R. "Lost Summers: Few Books and Few Opportunities to Read." Reading Rockets, 2004.

Reading over the summer break along with access to books directly contributes to students retaining the reading skills they achieved over the school year.

McLaughlin, B., & Smink J. "Summer Learning: Moving from the Periphery to the Core." The Progress of Education Reform, no. 3, 2009.

A publication from the Education Commission of the States suggests combining the academic and creative needs of students to successfully create a dynamic reading program.

Miller, B. M. "The Learning Season: The Untapped Power of Summer to Advance Student Achievement." Nellie Mae Education Foundation, 1-70, 2007.

Dr. Beth Miller, funded by the Nellie Mae Foundation, gives us an overview on current research into summer reading programs. This article promotes giving students more access to summer learning opportunities to close the achievement gap for disadvantaged students.