Reading Challenges

Preschool-age children are invited to read 20 books that have earned the prestigious Caldecott Medal Award or Caldecott Honor recognition. Challenge runs through May 1, 2027.

The library challenges students from kindergarten to high school to read titles from the Monarch, Bluestem, Caudill, Lincoln, and Read for a Lifetime award lists. If you complete the challenge for your age group, you will receive a prize (starting October). You can also vote at the library for your favorite book from the lists from February 1–March 13. Voting for the Caudill Award runs from February 1–26 only.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national initiative that encourages parents to read with their children before kindergarten. Reading to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers helps them develop important skills they’ll need for school. Additionally, it promotes a lifelong love for books and provides a chance for you to bond with your child in a unique way.

Join our reading challenge and begin collecting brag tags. Readers in kindergarten through grade 5 can select and collect tags for every 10 books they read. Fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels—everything counts! Sign up at the Youth & Teen Services Desk to get a reading log and your first tag. Read at your own pace, and when you’ve reached the goal, visit the Youth & Teen Services Desk to choose a tag. Collect as many as you can!

Challenge yourself to read 60 books before high school!

Readers in 6th grade are challenged to read 20 books during the school year! For the first 10 books that you log, you will receive a book. When you have logged a total of 20 books, you will receive a metal water bottle. Participate throughout 6-8th grade to receive an ultimate prize package!

Challenge yourself to read 100 books before graduation!

Readers in 9-12th grade are challenged to read 100 books before they graduate high school! Read whatever you want, whenever you want! Earn prizes for every 5 books that you log.  Participate throughout 9-12th grade to receive an ultimate prize package!