Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO – Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the First Partner of California, announced today the launch of the First Partner’s Summer Book Club. This initiative is part of the broader "California for All Kids" program and aims to boost literacy and mitigate summer learning loss by encouraging children and their caregivers to read during the summer months.

According to recent studies, many students experience learning loss over the summer, falling behind by at least two months in reading. These findings highlight that access to reading materials and learning opportunities from ages 0 to 5 are crucial for an individual's future health, education, and economic participation.

“Libraries open doors to a vibrant world of books and stories, sparking a love for reading that can last a lifetime. This year’s Summer Book Club selections tell stories of family and community, celebrate the beauty of diversity and self-love, and describe the wonders of spending time in nature. I urge Californian families to check out this book list and then visit their local library to explore one of the First Partner’s Summer Book Club selections,” said Siebel Newsom.

Greg Lucas, California State Librarian, added: “Nothing helps create stronger readers than a steady diet of books during the summer. We are very grateful that the First Partner makes this possible for so many children in California.”

This year’s book list was curated by Siebel Newsom in collaboration with librarians across the state. The selected books address themes such as mental health challenges, identity and belonging, exploration, and curiosity. The titles range from preschool to high school reading levels and are available for borrowing at most public libraries statewide.

In seven libraries across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Mateo, and Solano counties, these book club titles are central to community programs known as "Book to Action." These programs aim to inspire readers to engage in community service and civic involvement related to the themes explored in their readings.

As part of the "California for All Kids" initiative, Siebel Newsom is committed to providing Californian children with a strong foundation for well-being through a holistic child-centered approach.