Although school may be out for the summer, it’s still a great time to take a book with you on your summer vacation, whether it’s time by the pool or on a road trip or long flight.

To help kids in need this summer, First Book and the US Department of Education have launched their 2008 Summer reading campaign, encouraging children to keep reading over the summer and throughout the year! The initiative will provide 850,000 free books, donated by Random House Children’s Books, to schools, libraries and community organizations across the country. Now that’s very cool news for those hot summer days!

Learn more about the Summer Reading Initiative and First Book’s work with the US Department of Education on the Book Donation Campaign at www.ed.gov.