After 13 weeks of learning, building, playing, dancing, and reading all across Philadelphia, we've reached the end of this year's Summer Reading program! Our last weekly raffle winners have been announced and our grand prize raffle winners have been picked: Congratulations to Francis B., Tamar P., and Ahmed A.!

To mark the successes of this season’s Summer of Wonder, the Free Library of Philadelphia was proud to partner with the Philadelphia Phillies and their “Be a Phanatic about Reading” literacy program presented by Comcast. Building on our core mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity, “Be a Phanatic about Reading” is a great tool to help motivate children to continue to read and learn over the summer break.

“Be a Phanatic about Reading” celebrated six outstanding readers nominated by librarians who’ve observed their exceptional investment in reading, participating, or improving at neighborhood libraries during these past summer months.

The Outstanding Readers won tickets for themselves and their families to a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park and were even recognized on the field for their Summer Reading accomplishments. Congratulations to Asher H., Josiah F., Natalie F., Meaghan M., Yartiza R., and Angie C.! Many thanks to the librarians at Falls of Schuylkill Library, Fishtown Library, Greater Olney Library, and Torresdale Library for recognizing them!

Kids entering grades K-8 were all eligible. Nominations were based on in-person participation in the Summer Reading Game at neighborhood library locations.

After such a triumphant summer of reading, we are already looking ahead to 2017 to develop even more epic games, activities, and book lists. Have suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for a great summer and keep on reading!