MATTAPOISETT — For one local kid, reading is more than just fun.

Eight-year-old Mattapoisett resident Finn Poulos took home a jersey signed by the Boston Bruins after he was chosen among a select group of youths to receive Bruins prizes for their outstanding participation in Mattapoisett Free Public Library’s summer reading program.

According to the library, which announced the prize winner in a Jan. 29 press release, Poulos “couldn’t be happier.” 

“He said he’s going home to hang it on his wall,” the release stated.

Head of the library’s Children’s Department Chris Matos said he was excited for the prize winner.

“We had an unusual summer last year with our program being just kits for the children to pick up, so it was great to have a special incentive for everyone to get excited about,” he said.

The Boston Bruins first teamed up with the Massachusetts Library System in 2009 to make reading a part of summer fun for all ages.

Tuukka Rask, Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand and other Bruins players helped libraries develop Favorite Books of the Boston Bruins (available on mass.gov/libraries), a recommended reads list that includes librarians’ picks for the best hockey books.

“The kids really enjoy picking up a book and seeing that it was recommended by one of the Bruins players. It inspires them to want to read it themselves,” said Matos. 

“Summer reading is fun, but it’s also an important part of students’ academic success because it helps them avoid the summer slide,” said James Lonergan, director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The library’s statement noted that kids who read just four books over the summer do better on reading comprehension tests in the fall than their peers who read one or no books over the summer.

The statewide Summer Library Program is made possible through federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.