Barnes & Noble announced May 20 as the launch of its 2014 Summer Reading Program: "Imagination's Destination", for children in grades 1-6.

The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program encourages children to engage their imaginations all summer long and to earn a free book by reading eight books and turning in a completed reading journal listing the books they've read.  Free books include popular titles such as "The Never Girl Series: In a Blink" by Kiki Thorpe, "Dragonbreath" by Ursula Vernon, "I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011" by Lauren Tarshis and "Spy School" by Stuart Gibbs.

Parents looking for a terrific read for their child this summer can visit the retailer's website and discover Staff Picks - recommendations from Barnes & Noble's expert Children's Department booksellers.  Additionally, to help prevent summer learning loss, Barnes & Noble is also offering a selection of summer skills workbooks to keep learning alive all summer long.

Additionally, this summer, the retailer encourages parents to download the Free NOOK Reading App on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, or Windows 8 tablets and PCs, and sign in with a new NOOK account to automatically receive samples of current bestselling and soon-to-be-published books, as well as free magazine issues. To get this great offer, customers can visit the NOOK website from a smartphone or tablet. Customers can also visit the NOOK Reading App display at any Barnes & Noble store.

"Our Summer Reading Program encourages kids and their parents to engage their imaginations all summer long so the learning never ends," said Sarah DiFrancesco, Vice President, Business Development for Barnes & Noble. "It's so much fun for a parent to see a child's face light up when they turn in their completed journal sheet and get to choose a free book from the store display. Parents, educators and librarians love the program, too, because they also want to encourage children to read during the summer months. Add our reading groups, weekly Storytimes, Hands-On Learning events, special promotions and the best lineup of summer skills workbooks, and Barnes & Noble is the best destination for reading fun, learning and savings, all summer long."