It’s summertime in Montville, and the Raymond Library will be joining the Governor’s Reading Challenge again this year.

Starting this week, kids of all ages who live in Montville can register for the program. This year’s theme is “On Your Mark, Get Set... Read,” and the suggested summer reading lists compiled by the state Department of Education feature a wide variety of sports-themed books for all ages.

Elaine Benoit, children’s librarian at Raymond Library, said the library has used the state program for several years because the schools also use the state list for required summer reading. Since the school libraries are closed during the summer, the Raymond Library can provide the materials the kids need.

The library suggests reading one book a week that is related to the theme, which includes not only sports but role models in general. Benoit said the theme is general enough that any child can find something they are interested in. She also showcases classic books by authors like E.B. White and Kate DiCamillo so parents can recommend books from their own childhoods to their kids.

However, kids are free to read whatever they want. The goal set by the library is five books a week for a total of 30 books over the course of the summer.

Benoit said some kids just aren’t into reading, so she talks to parents and their children about what kinds of topics they are interested in. She then uses those suggestions when the library purchases new books.

“If you have stuff that they’re interested in, they will pick up a book,” she said.

Almost 175 children signed up for the program last year, Benoit said, and many families participate in the program every summer.

To encourage kids to read, the children’s room in the library will have a sticker chart to track their progress throughout the summer. At the end of the program on July 30, anyone who reached the 30-book mark will receive a prize.

Benoit said the library selects educational rewards for all ages to enjoy, from coloring books for younger kids to pottery and gardening kits for older kids. All winners will also be entered into a drawing for the mystery grand prize.

Over the summer, the library will also host a pajama party, an animal program by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and a visit by a children’s author.

For more information about the program or to register, call the Raymond Library at (860) 848-9943 or visit at 832 Raymond Hill Road.

a.hutchinson@theday.com