Governor de Jongh has announced additional events scheduled in both districts as part of the Third Annual Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge program. On Saturday, June 18, students are invited to participate in Book Blow Out events at the Tutu Park Mall on St. Thomas from 1:00-4:00 PM and the Sunny Isle Mall on St. Croix from 1:00-5:00 PM. 

The two events highlight the governor’s continued focus on education, reading, and literacy as fundamental towards building a future of academic and personal success for all Virgin Islands children. Students in public, private and parochial schools in grades Kindergarten through sixth are invited to take the governor’s challenge and read five or more books this summer.

“Every year, we organize these events to raise awareness of the benefits of reading and also to ensure that children have the tools necessary to succeed and advance their educational pursuits. I thank the students and their parents for participating in this summer program and encourage all students to make reading a priority every day,” the governor said.

The Book Blow Out events will feature books written by local authors, including The Big Roar by Mim Green and Phillis Gershator for students in Kindergarten through second grade, Hoping for a Hurricane by Phillis Gershator for students in third and fourth grade and Moko Jumbie Dreams by Alscess Lewis-Brown for students in fifth and sixth grade. The governor encourages students to read at least four additional books in order to complete his challenge. 

E-books may be downloaded for free at www.virginislandspubliclibraries.org. A link for the governor’s summer reading program is viewable on the website’s front page. The contest also encourages students to visit their public libraries and sign up for a library card, as well as utilize the community bookmobile in their neighborhood. 

As an incentive to participate in the program, students who keep track of their reading and finish a minimum of five books will be invited to a “Fun Day” with the governor at the end of the summer. The events will be held in both districts to recognize student achievement. 

Students may also write to the governor throughout the summer to report their progress in the reading program, or to post their comments, which the governor will monitor, at www.readfive.org.

Reading Challenge participants can also enjoy special Father’s Day activities at the site of the Book Blow Out events. On St. Thomas, families are invited to participate in the Father's Day Scavenger Hunt at Tutu Park Mall. Registration begins at 10 AM; the Scavenger Hunt will begin at 11 AM sharp for ages 4-11. For more information, call 775-4658 or 777-7144. 

On St. Croix, Father’s Day activities, including music, gift give-aways and special promotions begin at 11:00 AM in the courtyard at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center. The Ebenezer Methodist Steel Orchestra and DJ Swain will provide entertainment. For more information, call 778-5830. 

The bookmobile will be at both events.

The governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is a partnership of the Office of the Governor, the Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Public Libraries, and Learn-It Systems Corporation. Continued thanks and appreciation are also extended to this year’s key sponsors: TV 2, Da Vybe, Malvern V. Gumbs of Spectrum Band and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.