Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and runs in libraries all over the country. The challenge, aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years, is to read six or more library books over the summer. In libraries, there are stickers and other rewards for every book read and children who complete the challenge are awarded a medal and a certificate. Children taking part online earn digital badges and other online rewards, with a certificate at the end of the challenge.  

The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge will be Story Garden inspiring children to tap into a world of imagination through reading.   Story Garden will celebratre nature and the great outdoors, exploring adventures, fantasy and the magical world of storytelling.  

This year's Challenge features artwork from award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, whose illustrations will bring the Story Garden theme to life; creating an enchanting world where children can find magical creatures, plants and flowers to inspire their next reading adventure.

Children who take part:

• are more enthusiastic about reading
• maintain their reading level over the holidays
• return to schools keen and ready to learn
• boost their confidence and self-esteem.

To find out more click here

The Challenge has a different theme every year. The 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, developed in collaboration with Create, a leading arts charity celebrated creativity, imagination and the power of reading. 

Also in 2024 our friends at arcpartnership sponsored a free prize draw, offering everyone who completed the challenge a chance to win some Crayola goodies, and allowed us to offer a small pack of crayons as an extra reward at the end of the challenge.

8,165 children in Nottinghamshire took part in the challenge in 2024 (including the Mini Challenge). 

• Children sign up at the library to start their challenge.
• Borrow books and get reading!  Children then choose the books they want to read, recording what they have read along the way.  Library staff and volunteers are on hand to chat to children about books they have read.
• For every book read, children will pick up stickers along with other rewards as they progress through the challenge.
• Every child who completes the challenge, by reading 6 library books, receives a medal and certificate.  

Children can also take part online for digital rewards at  summerreadingchallenge.org.uk   (children will be asked to privide a parent/carer email address to approve sign up

Children can read any books they like on the Summer Reading Challenge; stories, fact books, poetry, jokes, graphic novels. 

Our children's book recommendations page has inspiration. There are lots of ebooks and audio books that can be borrowed from the library online to help complete the online challenge.

Explore a selection of books inspired by the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge theme on our pintrest board below; celebrating the power of imagination, creativity and reading.