Let’s be honest, getting your tween to pick up a book over the summer can sometimes feel like asking them to load the dishwasher or clean their room for the twelfth time. With sunshine, screens, and swimming pools calling their name, reading often takes a backseat during the break. But here at Once Upon a Book Club, we’re all about flipping the script!

What if reading wasn’t a chore but an adventure?

That’s where our Once Upon a Book Club Tween Book Subscription Box comes in. It turns stories into adventures and experiences with surprise gifts, page-by-page excitement, and the kind of fun that keeps young readers coming back for more. This summer, we think it’s time to spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and sneak in a little literacy magic—without any eye rolls.

Why Summer Reading Matters for Tweens 

Reading over the summer isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a proven way to help kids retain what they’ve learned and avoid the dreaded “summer slide.” According to research, even reading just a handful of books over the break can significantly close learning gaps. Another study found that summer reading can help address achievement disparities and support long-term academic success.

But the benefits don’t stop at academics. Reading strengthens imagination, builds empathy, and boosts independence—all key skills for tweens navigating the big leap from childhood to adolescence. It’s not about getting ahead—it’s about keeping their love for learning alive and thriving.

 

7 Fun Ways to Encourage Your Tween to Read This Summer 

Here are seven ideas that are perfect for turning reading from “meh” to “more, please!”

1. Let Them Choose the Books

Choice is power. When tweens get to pick what they read, they’re more likely to dive in. Head to your local library or bookstore and let them browse! Whether it’s graphic novels, fantasy adventures, or mystery thrillers, there’s no such thing as a “wrong” book. It’s all about finding the story that hooks them.

💡 Bonus Tip: Check out our Ready-to-Ship Tween Boxes! Each box contains an exciting story paired with surprise gifts, plus lots of extras! We do the hard work, so you don’t have to. If you would like to know more, head on over to our blog, All about our Ready-To-Ship Middle Grade Book Boxes!

2. Create a Summer Reading Nook

Everyone loves a cozy corner. Let your tween help create a personalized reading space with pillows, blankets, twinkle lights, and their favorite snacks. Whether it’s a beanbag fort in the living room or a hammock in the backyard, make it their space. Reading feels more like a treat when it comes with comfort. And don’t forget the snacks!

 

 

3. Start a Reading Challenge

A little structure can go a long way. Set up a summer reading challenge with your tween using a reading log. Set achievable goals (like “read 20 minutes a day” or “finish 3 books by July”), and celebrate each milestone with a sticker, treat, or extra screen time.

We have found a great alternative to reading logs, and tweens love these book passports! They are so much fun. We include one in the first box of any new Tween subscription, and this adorable little passport is perfect for keeping track of what you've read this year!

Each booklet includes room for 13 book recaps, and our newly designed tracker also includes slots for your collectible stickers! They’re so popular and can be ordered whenever you need one.

4. Make It Social

Tweens are social creatures, even when they pretend they aren’t. Invite a friend or two to read the same book and meet up for a “book club hangout” with snacks, crafts, or a movie night based on the story. 

We definitely recommend checking out your local library. Many public libraries offer fun, themed summer reading programs complete with events, prizes, and activities. It’s a great way to keep reading engaging and community-focused.

5. Incorporate Rewards

Let’s face it: rewards work. And nothing says “I love this book!” like a surprise gift waiting at just the right page. That’s the magic of the Once Upon a Book Club Tween Book Subscription Box. Every box includes three to five individually wrapped presents labeled with page numbers, each one connected to a moment in the book. It’s like a birthday party... with plot twists.

6. Tie Reading to Travel

Going on a family trip (or dreaming of one)? Find books that match your destination or theme. Visiting the mountains? Try an outdoor survival story. Heading to the beach? Go for a sun-soaked mystery. Even imaginary travel counts—your tween can visit a fantasy realm or outer space from the comfort of the backseat.

7. Read Together

Your tween may be growing up fast, but they still enjoy shared time—especially if it means no chores. Set aside 20 minutes a day to read side by side. You don’t even have to read the same book! Just the presence of a reading buddy (that’s you!) can help make the habit stick.

 

Why OUABC’s Tween Box Makes Summer Reading Exciting 

We know that getting kids to read is only part of the challenge—keeping them engaged is where the real fun begins. That’s exactly what makes the OUABC Tween Book Subscription Box a summer game-changer.

Each book box is built around a middle-grade book that’s full of heart, adventure, and imagination. What makes it truly special? The surprise gifts. Each one is tied to a specific moment in the story—unwrapped only when your tween hits the right page.

The result? A fully immersive experience that makes every chapter feel like a treasure hunt. It’s screen-free, motivating, and 100% excitement approved.

Want to see the magic in action? Take a peek inside our boxes: Unboxing the Adventure: A Look Inside Our Middle Grade Book Boxes

Ready, Set, Read!

Whether your tween is a reluctant reader, an avid adventurer, or somewhere in between, this summer is the perfect chance to turn reading into something they’ll actually look forward to. With a comfy nook, a few clever rewards, and maybe a surprise-filled Once Upon a Book Club Tween Book Box, even the most screen-loving kiddo might find themselves saying, “Just one more chapter!”

So grab a snack, pick a book (or five), and let the adventure begin. After all, summer flies by—but the memories made between the pages? Those last a lifetime. We still have fabulous memories from some of our childhood favorites.

Don’t forget to order your book passport and let the fun begin! Happy reading from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club. We would love to hear which books your tweens are loving this summer!

 

Sources

Allington, R. L., & McGill-Franzen, A. (Eds.). (2018). Summer reading: Closing the rich/poor reading achievement gap (2nd ed.). Teachers College Press.

Kim, J. S. (2004). Summer reading and the ethnic achievement gap. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 9(2), 169–188. https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/reads_summer_learning/files/kim_2004_summer_reading_ethnic_achievement_gap.pdf