Second Lady Usha Vance has launched the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, inviting children from kindergarten to Grade 8 to read 12 books between 1 June and 5 September in an effort to combat declining reading scores among American students.

The initiative, announced in a letter from Vance, encourages kids to explore “adventure, imagination, and discovery” through reading and to track their progress using official logs from the White House.

According to Nicole Reeves, communications director for the Second Lady, the challenge aims to keep young learners engaged over the summer break. Children who complete the challenge will receive a personalized certificate and a small prize.

The program comes amid growing concerns about literacy in the U.S. A 2022 study from the National Center for Education Statistics showed that average reading scores among 9-year-olds fell five points compared to 2020 — the sharpest drop since 1990. Additionally, nearly 40% of students are unable to read at a basic level, with rates climbing to 70% among low-income fourth graders, based on data from the National Literacy Institute.

Reading, experts say, not only strengthens academic performance but also supports mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.