(The Lion) — Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance launched the White House Summer Reading Challenge beginning Monday through Sept. 5.

The challenge is open for rising Kindergarteners through eighth graders to read 12 books of their choice throughout the summer and submit their completed reading log.

Participants will receive a certificate, a personalized letter and a limited America-250 bookmark, according to the White House website. They will also have the opportunity to choose a prize from the prize website. A completed log also enters participants into a chance to win a visit to the Capitol and White House.

On Good Morning America, a clip from an ABC-exclusive interview airing Monday night showed Vance talking about a very successful smaller program she began last year in hopes of staving off summer learning loss that paved the way for her and her team to roll out the nationwide challenge this summer.

“We have schools and libraries and all sorts of institutions that are partnering with us, and we’re hoping to get kids everywhere reading,” Vance said in the interview.

According to the National Literacy Institute, 54% of American adults have a literacy level below sixth grade. Literacy programs for young Americans are believed by many to slow or even reverse the declining literacy rates.

In the official White House video for the initiative, Vance encourages young Americans to read as a way to explore new worlds and learn history.

“So grab a book, grab a friend and join me in making this a story-filled summer,” Vance said.

For more information, visit whitehouse.gov/read.