Community Reading Buddies: Free Summer Reading Support - 50 Spots Left!
Give your child a literacy boost this summer with Community Reading Buddies! Our program is simple: we pair one middle- or high-school student with one elementary student each reading session. The older students are given pre-planned lessons, skills, and supplemental reading options that are personalized for the younger students. On average, elementary students see 4 months of growth in their reading skills and fluency during our 2 month program.
- To learn more and apply, head to our LinkTree (https://linktr.ee/readingbuddiesbayarea.). The elementary student application is the top link.
This summer, we are offering virtual and in-person options that take place throughout each weekday.
- Students are asked to join twice per week (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) at the time they choose for 1 hour of reading support with their high-school mentor.
- Students will use our digital literacy platform, BookNook, in their reading sessions that assesses their reading levels and supplies lessons that focus on the skills they need to practice to meet grade-level requirements.
- The virtual sessions take place on Zoom and students only need a working computer and a wifi connection to join.
- The in-person sessions take place at 2 Oakland libraries (West Oakland or 81st Ave.). Students will need to get to the libraries to participate, but we will provide computers and books so they won't need to have any other supplies to join.
- Both types of sessions will run from June 9 until July 24, 2025. We are open to later start dates if needed based on the last day of school for your child.
There are still openings in all of our free summer reading sessions for elementary students across the Bay Area. Here is our summer schedule:
Monday AND Wednesday at 11:15am–12:15pm on ZOOM - 5 spots left
Monday AND Wednesday at 2:15pm–3:15pm on ZOOM - 10 spots left
Monday AND Wednesday at 4:15pm–5:15pm on ZOOM - 5 spots left
Monday AND Wednesday at 6:15pm-7:15pm on ZOOM - 5 spots left
Tuesday AND Thursday at 11:15am–12:15pm on ZOOM - 5 spots left
Tuesday AND Thursday at 2:15pm–3:15pm on ZOOM - 10 spots left
Tuesday AND Thursday at 4:15pm–5:15pm on ZOOM - 5 spots left
Tuesday AND Thursday at 6:15pm-7:15pm on ZOOM - 5 spots left
Mondays AND Wednesdays at 12:30–1:30pm at West Oakland Public Library Branch (1801 Adeline Street) - 5 spots left
Tuesdays AND Thursdays at 12:30–1:30pm at 81st Ave. Oakland Public Library Branch (1021 81st Ave) - 8 spots left