2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Plant a Seed & Read

June 1–August 1

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme is Plant a Seed & Read! We’re focusing on the idea of farm to table: a farm grows food that nourishes our bodies, and a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. There is a challenge for readers and listeners of all ages, and signup begins June 1.

Cute illustration of a seed and an egg happily reading books on a blanket

How to Sign Up

Sign up and track your progress online or download the Beanstack app for iOS or for Android. Beanstack makes it convenient for parents and caregivers to sign children up under one group account. Follow the steps to register an individual or family, then select the Summer Reading Challenge for your age group.

If you’d prefer a traditional paper log, please see our staff at the Adult Reference Desk or Youth & Teen Services Desk.

Challenge Details

Children Birth–Grade 5

Read a total of 50 books or 20 hours to finish the challenge.
When you get halfway through the challenge (25 books or 10 hours), you earn a book of your choice.
Log a total of 50 books or 20 hours to earn an age-appropriate toy and prize drawing ticket.
Those tracking books can earn a bonus drawing ticket for reading 12 more books while those tracking minutes/hours can earn a bonus ticket for reading five more hours.

Finishing Prizes

: Birth–Age 2: Mystery Peekaboo Barn and farm animal toy (one random barn and random toy)

: 5″ Squishmallow (one random)

Drawing Prizes

: Drone

: Electric Ice Cream Maker

: Fort-Building Kit

: Lava Lamp

: Mini Karaoke Machine

: Play-Doh Kitchen Restaurant Playset

: Pop-up Ball Pit

: Toddler Puppy Yoga

Teens

Read a total of 20 hours to finish the challenge.
When you get halfway through the challenge (10 hours), you earn a book of your choice.
Log a total of 20 hours to earn a Squishmallow and a prize drawing ticket for a prize bundle of your choice.
Earn a bonus drawing ticket for reading an additional five hours.

Finishing Prize

: 5″ Squishmallow (one random)

Drawing Prizes

: Crochet Prize Basket

: Embroidery Prize Basket

: Gardening Prize Basket

: International Snacks Prize Basket (snacks may vary)

: LEGO Prize Basket

: Gift Cards Prize Basket

Adults

Read a total of 20 hours or four books to finish the challenge.
When you get halfway through the challenge (10 hours or two books), you earn a cotton apron.
Log a total of 20 hours or four books to earn a ticket for a prize drawing.
Earn a bonus drawing ticket when you read a book related to this year’s theme.

Halfway Prize

: Cotton apron

Drawing Prizes

: Book Lover Bundle

: Kitchen Basics Bundle

: Local Fun Bundle

: Local Restaurant Bundle

: Morton Arboretum Membership