A summer adventure

Dave Brooks

It’s going to be a magical summer for Bryan Luneholm.

The 11-year-old Huntington Beach student plans to fly on a dragon,

learn a few spells from a young wizard and chase down a

trouble-making cat -- all without leaving the comfort of his favorite

reading chair.

Bryan and his two younger brothers Brandon, 7, and Michael, 6,

will begin their imaginary journeys this week through the Summer

Reading Program at the Huntington Beach Public Library.

The Friends of the Children’s Library raised more than $40,000 to

host the program, which encourages the more than 4,500 participating

children to read 10 books, or 300 pages, before summer’s end.

Librarian Mary-Pat Gonzalez said children have a wealth of choices

this year including favorites Harry Potter and The Cat in the Hat.

“This is a chance for children to learn new things and travel the

world through literature,” she said.

Besides the reading regiment, participants visit the library once

a week, submit a log detailing their progress and collect a prize for

their efforts -- usually a gift certificate to a local business.

After eight consecutive visits, kids can earn free tickets to a

private August concert with children’s performer Dan Crow.

“We want to get [young people] into the library and make it a

comfortable place for them to visit,” Children’s Media Coordinator

Nanci Williams said. “Over time, we want them to become familiar with

the branch and be able to search the shelves themselves.”

Sign-ups run until July 31, and the program will end Aug. 20.

Readers can join at any of the four Huntington Beach branches, but

must make their weekly check-ins at the library where they first

enrolled.

For those with loftier goals, the library offers a special prize

to “Super Readers” who read 50 books or 1,500 pages. The library will

also hold special reading events including storytelling, folktales

and plays to encourage young people to visit the library.

“We will have something going on everyday this summer,” Gonzalez

said.

At the Luneholm house, Bryan’s mother said, reading has become a

part of her boys’ daily routine, especially while away from school.

“It’s a great way for the boys to stay busy this summer and work

on their literacy skills,” she said. “With this program, they’re

really encouraged to read and meet their goals.”

* DAVE BROOKS covers City Hall. He can be reached at (714)

965-7173 or by e-mail at dave.brooks@latimes.com.