A summer reading challenge lets MPS students receive free books and explore Milwaukee

Chesnie Wardell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
Dannette Justus, an academic coach at Siefert Elementary School in Milwaukee, reads books anywhere, including wearing this pepperoni pizza costume.
Dannette Justus, an academic coach at Siefert Elementary School in Milwaukee, reads books anywhere, including wearing this pepperoni pizza costume.

A summer reading program is in full swing and your child can join in.

The Passport to Summer Reading is a reading program through Milwaukee Public Schools.

It encourages kids and their families to pick-up free children's books at different festivals and local businesses in Milwaukee's neighborhoods.

It's meant to prevent "summer slide," a term used to describe a child's loss in their school learning during summer break.

Here's what you need to know about the MPS Passport to Summer Reading initiative.

How long does the Passport to Summer Reading program last?

The program runs through Tuesday, Aug. 6.

What are the locations for the Passport to Summer Reading?

Students can visit Tastee Twist, Jazzy Rae Jewels & Accessories, Milwaukee Hip-Hop Museum and other locations for their free books.

Each location has varying times and dates, click here to view the reading schedule.

Who can participate in the program?

This program is for MPS families.

How does the Passport to Summer Reading work?

Free books are given to the first 25 families.

Each book is correlated with the type of business or festival the student visits.

On the inside cover, a QR code will direct you to a Youtube video of Dannette Justus, reading the book aloud on her Youtube channel, "JustUs and Books."

Justus is an Emmy winner and MPS support teacher at Siefert Elementary School.

Dannette Justus, an academic coach at Siefert Elementary School in Milwaukee, has read a book from the 50-yard line of Lambeau Field. She’s read a book from the top floor of the Northwestern Mutual Life building. She’s read a book from Marcus Landry's farm in Elkhorn, riding a horse around the stable.
Dannette Justus, an academic coach at Siefert Elementary School in Milwaukee, has read a book from the 50-yard line of Lambeau Field. She’s read a book from the top floor of the Northwestern Mutual Life building. She’s read a book from Marcus Landry's farm in Elkhorn, riding a horse around the stable.

Students can pick up a passport from either their school or at one of the book locations.

The passport should be brought with the child to the locations they attend, so it can be marked with a different color each time.

Students who collect all eight books, will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win items.

What kind of items can be won during the Passport to Summer Reading?

Various items, including bean bag chairs and cubby bins, which are meant for the child to design their own book nook.

What books can children expect to read?

Passport to Summer Reading 2024 book list:

  • "Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free," by Alice Faye Duncan , illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo

  • "A Dress with Pockets" by Lily Murray , illustrations by Jenny L?vlie

  • "War at the Ice Cream Store : Mustachio Pistachio vs. Bully Vanilli," by Cheryl DaVeiga and Dave Gibson

  • "When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left," by Marc Colagiovanni , illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds

  • "Extra Yarn," by Mac Barnett , illustrations by Jon Klassen

  • "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut," by Derrick Barnes, illustrations by Gordon C. James

  • "Darryl’s Dream," by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels with Shawnee and Johnny Warfieldand Adam Padilla, illustrations by Tristan Tait

  • "Let’s Pop, Pop, Popcorn! " by Cynthia Schumerth , illustrations by Mary Reaves Uhles

  • "Pop! Otto, the Kernel Who Didn’t Pop,"  by Karen Kilpatrick , illustrations by Germán Blanco

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about the 2024 MPS Passport to Summer Reading program

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