Summer is the perfect time to sit back, relax and fall in love with a good book. It’s also a great time to keep your kids learning through the summer months but helping them to get fired up about reading. Here are a few free programs that will keep you and your kids reading this summer.

2009 Barnes and Noble Summer Reading: This is a great way to keep kids reading this summer by giving them a great incentive: free books! Here’s how it works, the child chooses any eight books of their choosing to read. They write down their favorite parts in the free printable reading journal. Children bring their reading journal into a Barnes and Noble store between May 26 and September 7 and they’ll get a coupon for a free book!

Scholastic Summer Challenge: Kids can join in on the Scholastic Summer Challenge. Kids take a quick quiz to get sorted on a team. They’ll earn points by logging the minutes they read each day and at the end of the summer the winning team gets to vote on which Save the Children US program will receive a special donation in their team’s honor. That way kids get excited about helping others and reading!

Bethany House Book Reviewers: If you have a blog or a website sign up for free books from Bethany House. They’ll periodically send you emails about available books. You pick the ones that interest you and they’ll send you the copies. Once you’ve written the review just let them know. It’s an easy and fun way to get free books.

Tell Harlequin: If romance is more your thing, sign up for the Tell Harlequin panel. You’ll get free fiction in exchange for your opinions on books, covers and ideas.