Looking for some cool summer excitement and a way to miss the summer heat?

The Summer Reading Program is it…an opportunity to retain learning and reading skills while having fun.

From June 1 through Aug. 1, the Fountain Hills Branch Library joins 70 other library branches in the Valley of the Sun in offering the special summer program, “Maricopa County Reads.”

The theme this year is “Every Hero Has a Story.”

This is an opportunity for all ages to do some fun reading, earn hot prizes and receive a book of your choice sent directly to your home.

There is something for everyone in the Summer Reading Program.

Each reader gets one point for every minute added to their reading log. Children, birth to 11, who have achieved 250 points can pick up their choice of a Chipotle free food coupon or a Raising Cane’s Combo Card at the library.

Teens, 12 to 17, get a free burrito, and adults, 18 and up, earn a buy-one-get-one free burrito. These will be available while they last.

Five hundred points is the magic number. All ages who achieve this goal are awarded a unique code for a free book of their choosing from the online marketplace.

In addition, participants who log in 20 minutes of reading every day will have a chance to win weekly drawing prizes, like iPad and LeapFrog LeapPads — as well as collect all five chapters of an action-packed, original superhero story.

The Friends of the Library is pleased to fund these prizes.

Sign-up is fast and easy. Visit the Summer Reading table at the library, where a staff member or volunteer will guide participants through the registration process located at MaricopaCountyReads, org.

“This program truly is a win/win for everyone,” said Christy Valentine, lead librarian at Fountain Hills Branch Library.

She has been busy scheduling additional fun programs at the library throughout June and July.

She encourages children, 5-12, to participate in “Heroes in Training,” weekly heroic challenges posted in the library. While having fun, participants will be developing the three “Cs” -- courage, confidence and compassion.

Completion of all eight challenges will earn the participants a certificate of heroism at the final Summer Reading Program featuring the Fountain Hills Youth Theater on Tuesday, July 28.

The Library Teen Council and other participating community youths have an important leadership role in the Summer Reading Program.

They not only develop friendships with other teens, through their assistance and interaction with the younger participants they become local heroes and role models for the younger children.

Jake McAuliff, a Teen Council member, who volunteered to help set up the Summer Reading table, said, “I like giving kids a chance to get involved at the library.”

Each age level has a kick-off date: Children 0-8, Tuesday, June 2, 10 a.m., Mother Goose and Super Heroes Training Camp, with face painting; children, ages 9-12, Thursday, June 4, 10 a.m., silk screen T-shirts; tweens ages 12-14, Friday, June 5, 7 p.m. library lockdown; teens ages 15-18, Friday, June 5, 9 p.m., library lockdown; and adults, ages 18-plus, Saturday, June 27, 3-4:30 p.m., superfoods with Chef Larry.

Check out these cool summer opportunities.

The Fountain Hills Branch Library is a “community gathering place” offering something for everyone.

More information on these programs can be found online at www.mcldaz.org, under Events/Fountain Hills.