State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is kicking off her Summer Reading Book Club for children who live in the 49th State Senate District.

Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood), who serves as the chair of the Senate’s Education Committee, believes summer reading helps encourage children to develop a lifelong reading interest, maintains their reading skills and helps them generate an interest in libraries and books.

Reading through the summer months keeps young minds engaged,” Bertino-Tarrant said.  “Reading should be an important part of our routine.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Bertino-Tarrant’s office by Aug. 2. Participants will be invited to a Pizza Party on Aug. 12.

To receive a book club form either visit www.SenatorBertinoTarrant.com to download and print the form or call (815) 254-4211 to request a copy by mail.

Bertino-Tarrant urges interested residents to call her office with any additional questions.