It’s mid-July and summer reading is hot hot hot!! Kids all over the world are reading voraciously this summer (at home, at camp, even at the pool!) and logging their minutes at the Scholastic Summer Challenge to help set a new Read for the World Record. So far, young readers have logged more than 36,237,619 minutes! I think it’s time we shared with you some astounding stats from the latest minutes logged to show you the current top 20 schools in the lead, the top 10 cities with the most minutes and the top 10 states that are leading the challenge. Take a look to see if you can spot your state, city, or school:

Top 10 States (total reading minutes):

1.) Florida – 7,172,138

2.) Illinois – 2,292,658

3.) Alabama – 2,006,530

4.) New York – 1,842,208

5.) North Carolina – 1,793,606

6.) Texas – 1,606,242

7.) Ohio – 1,440,879

8.) California – 1,320,315

9.) New Jersey – 1,239,228

10.) Pennsylvania – 973,015

Top 10 Cities (total reading minutes):

1.) Greenacres, FL – 1,288,739

2.) Brooksville, FL – 1,201,145

3.) Trussville, AL – 1,159,715

4.) Sylvania, OH – 856,250

5.) Huntersville, NC – 773,424

6.) Jupiter, FL – 744,875

7.) North Lauderdale, FL – 690,781

8.) Hilton, NY – 511,645

9.) West Palm Beach, FL – 496,305

10.) Marlton, NJ – 475,038

The 20 schools with the most reading minutes at the end of the summer (Aug. 31) will be entered into the 2012 Scholastic Book of World Records! Currently in the lead…

1.) Brooksville Elementary School – Brooksville, FL   1,197,214

2.) Highland Elementary School – Sylvania, OH   894,584

3.)  Paine Intermediate School – Trussville, AL   830,216

4.) Liberty Park Elementary School – Greenacres, FL   747,510

5.) Beacon Cove Intermediate School – Jupiter, FL   733,761

6.)  Broadview Elementary School – North Lauderdale , FL   691,731

7.)  Village Elementary School – Hilton, NY   516,453

8.) J Harold Van Zant Elementary School – Marlton, NJ   479,850

9.)  Enders-Salk Elementary School – Schaumburg, IL   470,680

10.)   St. Gregory Elementary School – Tyler, TX   452,250

11.) Heritage Elementary School – Greenacres, FL   403,082

12.) Belvedere Elementary School – West Palm Beach, FL   389,995

13.) Westdale Elementary School – Northlake, IL   350,022

14.) Paine Primary School – Trussville, AL   342,856

15.) Blythe Elementary School – Huntersville, NC  330,838

16.) Scott Elementary School – Melrose Park, IL   308,675

17.) Union Elementary School – Temple, GA   292,397

18.) Sauk Elementary School – Richton Park, IL   279,916

19.) Our Lady of Annunciation School – Albuquerque, NM   279,404

20.) Lake Norman Charter Middle School – Huntersville, NC   251,809

Recognize any of these places? When you think about Florida this summer, remember…it’s not just a great state for summer vacations, it’s a state that’s dedicated to summer reading! Check the Summer Challenge map often to track your child’s school and to see which schools are in the top 20 (shown with an orange flag). If your child is already participating in the Summer Challenge, remember to encourage her to keep reading and to log minutes every day. If you’re searching for a fun, engaging summer reading program for your kids that’s completely free, give the Summer Challenge a try. From kindergarten to 8th grade, the program is open to all kids through August 31 – and it’s certainly not too late to help Read for the World Record! You can get started today with these three steps:

1. Sign up your child or have her sign herself up here:
2. Find a book to read with our customized Summer Challenge book lists and recommendations.
3. Encourage your child to read and log minutes!

Reading at least four books in the summer is the simplest way kids can avoid the “summer slide” and to  start school this fall as bright as ever!