Olivia, an active Kahala Elementary School student who enjoys swimming and playing soccer, counts reading as one of her favorite summer pastimes.

"Because I learn new words, and it's fun," she said, taking a break from "Hunter's Best Friend at School" by Laura Malone Elliott.

Many kids choose to hit the books on their summer downtime — going on thrilling adventures, traveling to strange places and meeting fun characters in the imagination.

"It's important because it keeps their minds active," said Gail Schroers, a high school English teacher at Iolani School. "It's an active process, whereas watching TV, playing video games or going to the movies, these are passive activities.

"You can tell which students are readers and which ones aren't by how easily they can discuss stories in class and whether they have ideas about what they read."

Kaiser High School science teacher Tanya Ashimine agrees. "The difference is always their reading level, their ability to read and their (desire) to read that makes for the higher-level kids, versus the middle- and lower-level kids," she said.

While Ashimine especially encourages her daughter to read while on break from Kamiloiki Elementary School, it's an activity that should be done year-round, she said.

Celeste, who will be in the first grade, is a fan of books such as the Dr. Seuss series and Sandra Boynton's "Hippos Go Berserk!"

"And now she likes to read them to her brother," Ashimine said.

Reading makes for great family time, said Ashimine, who reads to her children every night. "How often in the day do you actually stop and focus on just them (your children)?" she said. "It's a really loving time, and you're bonding."

Olivia, the Kahala student, recently spent a couple hours at Kaimuki Public Library with her father, Nathan Kapule, a 47-year-old fire captain; and her 5-year-old triplet siblings, Rachel, Lauren and Nicholas. The Kaimuki family had nearly a dozen books spread on a table before them.

The Kapule kids are participating in the state library system's summer reading program, through July 17 at most public libraries, which encourages young people to read for incentives.

"They're at this point where they can absorb so much and learn so much," Nathan Kapule said of his children. "I'm trying to develop a foundation of reading, math, science, and physical and social activities, which will help create a more balanced, well-rounded child."

Colleen Lashway, a librarian at Kaimuki Public Library, notes that summer is "also a great time for students to discover good books."

While on break, 14-year-old David Soule discovered "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. He has started "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns; both were assigned for freshman English and history classes he'll take at Iolani in the fall. "When you immerse yourself in a good story, you're really, like, there," said Soule, of Mililani.

Before entering Maryknoll School as a junior this fall, Julia Chan, 15, will tackle all 424 pages of "Loamhedge" by Brian Jacques.

"Whenever I have the chance, I'll read," said the Kaimuki resident, also a volunteer at McCully Public Library. "It's a way to get to be in your own world."

Any reading material — even magazines, newspapers or comics — is better than none, Schroers said. "For example, magazines like Sports Illustrated are great for boys and girls," she said. "It's very well written."

Reading isn't a must just for students, said Schroers. Her summer picks for grown-ups include "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov and "The Last Juror" by John Grisham, which she calls her "candy reading" (for more suggestions, see story).

"Reading is the most important activity that anyone of any age can do," Schroers said.