Summer Reading Challenge 2023: Ready, Set, Read!

The Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is here! Inspire Libraries are getting ready for a summer of reading with the Ready, Set, Read! Summer Reading Challenge 2023, which launched on Saturday 8 July. Inspire library staff and volunteers, who deliver libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, will be welcoming thousands of children into the library over the next two months.

The Summer Reading Challenge asks 4-11 year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer. This annual challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and runs in partnership with libraries across the country. Over 9,400 children joined in 2022.

This year’s challenge is a collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust, and will celebrate the power of play, sports and games.     

Through taking part in the Challenge, with free packs from public libraries, children will be able to join six fictional characters – the superstar Ready, Set, Read! team (and their animal mascots) – as they use their skills to weave through a summer obstacle course.

To take part all children need to do is to head to their local library to pick up a collector’s folder, where they’ll keep a record of their reading journey. It’s completely free to join and children choose the books they want to read on their Challenge; stories, e-books, fact books, joke books – all reading counts! There’s a certificate and medal for every child who completes the challenge by reading six books.

Supporting Inspire getting the word out about the Summer Reading Challenge are our friends at Arc Partnership. Arc have supported the production of a promotional postcard that will be distributed through libraries and in schools.

How the Summer Reading Challenge works:

• Children sign up at their local library, picking up their collector folder, to keep a record of their reading journey.
• Children choose the six books they want to read. Staff and volunteers will be on hand at the library to chat to children about books they have read.
• For every book read, children will pick up stickers and other rewards and discover how the Ready, Set, Read! team navigates the obstacle course.
• Every child who completes the Challenge by reading six library books will receive a medal and certificate.
• It’s all free, fun and a great way to keep chilldren reading over the summer holidays.  

Mini- Challenge

The Mini Challenge is a bite-sized version of the Summer Reading Challenge for our youngest readers (aged 3 and under). Children collect stickers on a special collector card for the books they borrow.   

How does the mini challenge work?

• Sign up at your local library.
• Choose any books your child likes
• Share stories together.
• Collect a sticker for each book, with a special gold sticker at the end of the challenge.