Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Summer should be a time of heading to the beach with friends and playing capture the flag in the yard until the streetlights come on. However, research suggests that it should also be a time for learning. Summer learning loss, sometimes referred to as the "summer slide," is a loss of academic achievement students experience during the summer. Schools should implement summer reading programs to help combat this summer setback. Engaging summer reading programs help to foster lifelong readers. Reading over the summer helps children keep their literacy skills up, and with a broader selection of books, the program can pique the interest of reluctant readers.

What is the author's purpose?

(1 point)

Oto show the ineffectiveness of summer reading programs in schools

O to explain how children should spend their summers

O to show the benefits of summer reading programs in schools

O to outline the components of a strong summer reading program

The author's purpose is to show the benefits of summer reading programs in schools.