Gregory Shaver/Journal Times, via Associated Press

The phrase “summer reading” tends to conjure two opposing mental images: there’s the stack of relaxingly trashy beach books … but there’s also that list of classics your teacher gave you in June that you ignored until the last week of August.

Our contest, we hope, offers something in the middle.

Here’s how it works: Each week from June 14 to Aug. 16, teenagers 13 to 19 years old are invited to choose any piece in The New York Times they like and write to tell us why it interested them. We will then choose a weekly favorite to feature, just as we have done every summer since 2010.

Sure, it’s an easy way to add more nonfiction (or “informational text”) to a school’s summer reading list, but because contestants can choose any article they want, on any topic from North Korea to Justin Bieber, we hope it also offers a bit of fun.

For more information click:  NYT Summer Reading Contest