Closing the book on summer reading at PPL

Magic tricks, snacks, ping-pong and prizes were part of the annual Peninsula Public Library (PPL) end of summer reading program party on Aug. 24.

Library Director Carolynn Matulewicz said the event has taken place for more than 20 years and described it as a “celebration of all the reading that the children do throughout the summer.” Nearly 100 kids completed the program and were invited to attend the party, she added.

Aryeh Sandler, 11, of Cedarhurst, had a hard time picking a favorite book and said: “I’ve read so many books this summer.” His mom, Debbie, said they have attended the party for the last few years. “He loves it,” she said. 

Matulewicz said the theme for the party this year was sports. The reading program during the summer at the Peninsula Public Library was “On your mark, get set … Read!” It is a collaborative summer library program designed to motivate children to read and keep their skills sharp during the vacation months. 

“The summer reading program is what we do to keep the kids reading over the summer while they’re not in school,” Toni Liberty, PPL’s children’s librarian said. The library encourages the kids to keep track of how many pages they read and submit their logs to be eligible to attend the party, Liberty added.