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Get Ready to Unearth a Story with Summer Reading!

Our ALL-AGES summer reading program is returning on June 15, 2026! This year’s theme is Unearth a Story and focuses on paleontology, archeology, genealogy, and uncovering hidden stories.

Sign up is now open: https://forms.office.com/r/kMQRWeVerr. 

From June 15 to August 15, you’ll get themed book lists and matching activities, and you can win a prize at the end of summer by reviewing books.

Materials will be available electronically, in large print, in braille, and in Spanish.

This year the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is also providing several virtual events, including a kickoff party, live author talks, and other fun activities.

We can’t wait for you to join us this summer!

Activities

Dino Garden Activity
Jurassic Jargon Activity
Mosaics Activity
Petroglyphs Activity

Events

The Texas Science and Natural History Museum in Austin, Texas, has the following events going on in June and July.
•    Saturday, June 28: HEB Free Fourth Sunday – Free admission for the whole family from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
•    Saturday, July 11: Dinosaur Day – Celebrate all things dinosaur with hands-on-activities, fossil identification, and fun for all ages. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
•    Sunday, July 26: HEB Free Fourth Sunday – Free admission for the whole family from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The Texas Talking Book Program will host an author talk and a book club to match the summer reading theme, Unearth a Story.

Thursday, July 16: TBP Author Talk 7:00 p.m. (Central)
Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6RJfpKrORj-xe5ZYt-ZkAg
Laurie E. Jasinski, author of DINOSAUR HIGHWAY: A HISTORY OF DINOSAUR VALLEY STATE PARK 
DBC 18560

Thursday, July 23: TBP Book Club 7:00 p.m. (Central)
Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JpsPktErQJWY8FsVb-9qbQ
DINOSAURS AT THE DINNER PARTY: HOW AN ECCENTRIC GROUP OF VICTORIANS DISCOVERED PREHISTORIC CREATURES AND ACCIDENTALLY UPENDED THE WORLD by Edward Dolnick 
DB 123653

NLS and Braille Institute will offer a series of live and recorded events for adults every other week, from June 16 to August 14. Use the links below to register for the full series. All events begin at 3:00 p.m. (Central).

Monday, June 15: Kick-off Event www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/
Tuesday, June 16: Author Event - Peter Heller, THE DOG STARS (DB75493). www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/
Tuesday, June 30: National Parks as Living Archives: Multidisciplinary conversation with National Park Service employees about the stories of science, history and culture living inside New Mexico’s National Park Designated sites. www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/
Tuesday, July 14: Author Event: Blind authors Leona Godin, author of THERE PLANT EYES (BR23825, DB104014), and Georgina Kleege, author of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE (BR22550, DB93533), explore nonfiction as excavation—how the personal and the scholarly intertwine to bring buried narratives to the surface. www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/
Tuesday, July 28: "Excavating a Life: Megan Marshall" Author Event: Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Megan Marshall will be in conversation with author Heather Clark about her memoir AFTER LIVES (DBC11807). www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/
Tuesday, August 11: Fact Meets Fiction Historical Fiction Panel: Author-led exploration of the research, craft and creative rewards of historical fiction. www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/

Narrated Soundscapes
The Braille Institute offers immersive audio journeys through four national parks. Each experience will premiere on the dates listed below and remain available throughout the summer. www.brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/
•    Monday, June 22: Badlands National Park 
•    Monday, July 6: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 
•    Monday, July 20: Everglades National Park 
•    Monday, August 3: Cape Cod National Seashore
 

FAQ's

Do I have to read from the book list?
No! You can read whatever you’d like.  

Do I need to track my reading time or number of books?
Nope. You can do that if you like to, but not for us.

How do I win a prize?
By writing a book review for us. Follow the guidelines posted on our website and in the emails, you’ll receive this summer by signing up for the program. There is a limit of five reviews per person.  A winner will be chosen by random drawing. 1 review = 1 entry.

What is the prize?
New accessible board game.

Will you send me craft and activity supplies?
No. We will give you detailed instructions you can try out at home though.

Can I still participate in my local library’s summer reading program?
Of course! We encourage all the reading and all the fun you can get!

How do I get these books?
You can have us mail them or you can download them on BARD.

Can you help me with using Zoom?
Yes. Call us to get help at 1-800-252-9605.

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