To me, one of the rites of summer is a summer reading program. It seems summer gives you license to read something you ordinarily don’t read — or for some people who must read for a living, it gives you the opportunity to read for the sheer pleasure.

The theme at Brookfield Public Library for the reading programs of all ages is “Get in the Game – Read!” For children in grades two through nine, upon sign-up, students will receive a log to record all of the books they read this summer. They will receive a prize the first time you report each week, and if they meet the minimum number of books read for their age group, they will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. There are new books added to the shelves every day — including sports and game-related selections.

For teens, the “aim of the game” is to read five books in five weeks. And adults can receive a Ravinia ticket and other prizes just for taking time with a good book. Adults and teens who write online reviews of their books will be eligible for a weekly raffle prize. New this year, participants can report online the books they’ve read. The library will have “coaches” stationed at the library for reporting in person.

Registration for the summer reading program is through Monday, June 30. The first day to report books is Monday, June 16, the last is Friday, July 18.

Check the library Web site at www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info for other summer programs.

If, after spending luxury time reading your favorite authors or your favorite genre, you are looking for outdoor entertainment, the village of Brookfield has an impressive line-up.

Concerts are from 7 to 8:30 Friday evenings at Kiwanis Park. Beginning June 13, Final Say, a group that spans five decades of music, surely will please everyone in the crowd. June 27 brings the Anne Burnell Quintet, including genuine blues, revamped oldies, jazz standards and fresh grooves.

On July 11, look for The Neverly Brothers — a trio of entertainers who will take you from the rockabilly roots of the ’50s to the British invasion of the ’60s. On July 25, Yard Fulla Cars, a Chicago-based band with a repertoire of modern country with a rock edge, will perform.

Rick Saucedo, one of Chicago’s premier Elvis impersonators, appears on stage August 1. The Fource plays on August 15. They are a quartet of accomplished singers/songwriters from the Chicago area playing a cross between folk-rock and Americana in the style of the Traveling Wilburys. And the final concert of the summer is Aug. 22 when, The Sylvies will play in the French-Creole style of New Orleans. Three generations of the Sylvie family will play a fun mix of original songs and covers in the varied styles from “down on the bayou,” including Zydeco, blues, gospel and more.

Additionally, outdoor movie nights run on select Fridays at Jay Cee/Ehlert Park at Elm and Congress avenues in Brookfield. Look forward to family entertainment June 20, when “Ghostbusters” is the featured movie.

As a special treat for the July 18 run of “Antz,” Brookfield Zoo personnel will join the festivities, dressed as characters from the movie. On Aug. 8, a great summer film, “Field of Dreams,” will be on the screen. What better way to spend a summer evening than listening to music or watching a movie under the stars? Popcorn will be available at the movies for a nominal fee. Ice cream, soda and water also will be available for sale.

According to some sources, the Fourth of July parade is the best in area. In Brookfield every year, the parade is a great way to celebrate our country’s birthday.

Calling all roses

Scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, the 47th Annual La Grange Park Rose Show will be at the beautiful, brand-new Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Road, in La Grange Park. This year’s theme is “Welcome to My New Home.”

Entries will be received at Plymouth Place between 7:30 and 11 a.m. If you have a rose growing in your yard, you can enter. There will be experts on hand to classify your rose — you could easily win a ribbon and possibly a prize. Entering a rose is Division I of the show — the horticulture/specimen portion.

Division II of the exhibit is the artistic design portfolio. You don’t even have to grow the roses to enter this Division — just follow the guidelines and make an appropriate arrangement. To enter this division or if you have any questions, call Marilyn Pulaski of the La Grange Park Garden Club at (708) 482-3921.

If you wake up on the morning of June 14, and find to your utter amazement you have a lovely rose right in your own garden, bring it over to Plymouth Place and enter it. Even if you don’t have an entry, you can take a few moments out to “smell the roses.”