ALBANY — Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski has launched a Summer Reading Challenge for school children in kindergarten through seventh gradE.

“I wanted to do something to encourage kids to keep reading during their summer break,” Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, said. “Reading keeps your mind sharp, prevents the summer slide and helps kids succeed in school.”

Students who read 15 minutes a day for 40 days between July and August will receive a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate from the assemblyman.

The challenge begins July 1 and ends Aug. 31. Registration is now open. Parents or guardians can register their children for the Summer Reading Challenge at  bit.ly/SempolinskiSRC25.