You have won an all-expense paid trip to wherever you want to go this summer.

Do you want to go to castle in Europe and learn all of the secrets of the royal family? Maybe you prefer an action vacation with western shootouts or dragon slaying?

All you need is your passport -- your library card.

Keeping your kids reading over the summer not only can be enjoyable for them, but it's a great way to keep them from losing ground in their education.

Over the summer, students can drop up to a full grade level in their reading skills, said Marie Noe, Children's Services manager at the Abilene Public Library.

"If they go back to school and haven't read during the summer, their teachers know it," she said.

What can you do to help keep your child from losing ground?

Get a library card

With kids' changing interests and abilities, it would be too expensive to buy every book they wanted. While a home library is wonderful and convenient, don't overlook the public library.

"It is one of the best values in your entire life because it's basically free. Your tax dollars have already paid for it," Noe said. Make visiting the library a habit, especially in the summer months.

Let them choose

Reading does not have to be a chore for children -- but if you approach reading as something they have to do, or as an extension of the school year with a "required" reading list, your kids will look at it as a chore.

Use the summer break to show your kids how much fun reading can be. Help them find materials about things they want to know about. Subscribe to magazines that appeal to their interests. Play games that require reading.

No matter how valuable you think reading the classics are, if they want to read about motorcycles, by all means, open up the motorcycle world to them. If kids are interested in the topic, they'll be more likely to stick with a book that may have vocabulary words they don't know.

"If they pick out a book on a horse that's too hard for them on a reading level, they're going to struggle through it because it's on a horse," Noe said.

A little at a time

For more active kids, change the rules a little. Don't expect them to sit through an entire book all the time. Sometimes, a couple of pages is all you have to have them read in one sitting. The important thing is to get them reading something.

Mix it up

n Try getting a book on science experiments. They can combine reading with activity and discovery.

n Start a new tradition when school is out. Ask your child what magazine they want over the summer, and get it for them. Magazines are great fun to read. Not only is it fun to get mail, but they'll get the magazine they chose.

n Build on what they read. For example, if they are interested in hot air balloons, read about them, watch movies about them and then visit a place where they can see them. When they visit, they will be amazed at how cool it is to know what things are called and how they work by having read. They will feel smart and more likely to read about something in advance again.

Set a good example

Parents need to be good role models in reading. Children who read tend to have parents who read. If your child sees you curl up with a good book, a magazine or the newspaper, they will likely do the same.

Read to them

If you have younger children, make it a habit to read to them at least 15 minutes a night. Read newspaper articles aloud over breakfast if you think your child would be interested in them. If they hear a few interesting stories, they may be inclined to see what else lies beneath those big pages. When a child selects a book that is too hard for them, "don't say no. Read aloud to them," Noe said.

Beware of the Internet

The Internet has a lot of information. But it is also full of casual writing.

Children who constantly see words spelled incorrectly, with little regard to capitalization, grammar or punctuation rules, start to believe this is how things should be done. And then they won't be able to discern correct and incorrect writing samples on tests.

Bottom line, not all reading is equal. Guide them to quality Internet content.

Take it on the road

While traveling, carry books and magazines in the car. If carsickness is an issue -- some people just can't read in a moving vehicle -- listen to books on tape. Stop at visitor centers and pick up pamphlets on things to do in the area. Let kids read through and pick some of the activities. Let kids follow along on the map.

Get involved in library events

The Abilene Public Library has a summer reading club where kids are encouraged to read and can receive a weekly prize for just coming into the library.

The club is set up just for fun. Goals are left up to the parents to decide.

"Every child is individual. Some children struggle through one book, and it's a big deal when they do," Noe said.

Teen readers can pick a prize out of a box for each book they read. Visit www.abilenetx.com/apl/summerhome.htm for story times and details on events.