What better way to spend the summer than reading a book and enjoying a movie? With the return of the Showcase Cinemas summer-reading program Bookworm Wednesdays, kids can do both.
For the 25th year, the theater chain is hosting this community program, which encourages children to read during the summer months by rewarding them with free admission to select films every Wednesday for the rest of the month at participating theaters.
When the program started, organizers met with community librarians who found that, without practice, reading proficiency in children decreased after the summer. Last year, Bookworm Wednesdays garnered more than 4,000 participants across Massachusetts and New York.
Rebecca Stein, senior vice president of US Marketing & Partnerships for Showcase Cinemas, told the Globe in a recent Zoom interview that with Bookworm Wednesdays, “we felt we had a good solution to help encourage summer reading.”
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Children and their families may choose any book to read and then fill out a book report form. Families present the form at the box office at participating theaters in Massachusetts and New York for free admission. Children below the age of 6 and parents or guardians also receive free admission; however, families must reserve seats in advance.
Stein said she’s seen “happy families” coming in and “proud kids” turning in their book-report forms. “It’s an achievement, and it has a reward.”
Screenings are at 10:30 a.m. at all participating theaters. The featured movies are “Migration” on July 10, “Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken” on July 17, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” on July 24, and “Trolls Band Together” on July 31.
Participating theaters in Massachusetts are Showcase Cinema de Lux Hanover Crossing, Showcase Cinema de Lux Woburn, Showcase Cinema de Lux Randolph, Showcase Cinema de Lux Lowell, Showcase Cinema de Lux Patriot Place, Showcase Cinema de Lux North Attleboro, Showcase Cinema de Lux Legacy Place, and Blackstone Valley 14 Cinema de Lux.
Families are welcome to attend more than one screening over the summer. Bookworm Wednesdays participants will also be offered a 1-2-3 Go Box, including popcorn, a sweet treat, and a drink, at a discounted rate of $5.
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“[Bookworm Wednesdays] lets us share summer memories with the families and kids,” Stein said. “Hopefully, the kids who have come to it over the years remember the reward of summer reading.”
Maria Jose Gutierrez Chavez can be reached at mariajose.gutierrez@globe.com.