Summer Reading Challenge

The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat is here!  Celebrating music & sound and exploring how music and storytelling unite.  This year, children can personalise their challenge by selecting up to six reading goals.  They'll collect stickers for each goal reached, with a medal and certificate for everyone who completes six goals.  Find out all you need to join in below.

The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries across the country.   The 2026 Challenge is powered by Universal Music UK.

1. Sign up for FREE at the library now to pick up your starter pack - including a sticker booklet, bookmark and Storytime magazine.
2. Find your reading rhythm! You're in charge - Choose what you love to read and select your reading goals.
   
3. Collect rewards - Pick up stickers and character cards for every book you read/goal reached. Scan the QR code on the sticker to start building your Read to Beat band.
   
4. Be a Reading Rockstar - Complete six books or reading goals to claim your medal and certificate.

Library staff and volunteers are on hand to talk about the about books read on the Challenge.  It’s all free, fun and a great opportunity for children to find the books they love.

Children can also take part online for digital rewards.

• Sign up for a website profile direct at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk (children will be asked to provide a parent/carer email address to approve sign up)
• Set a personal reading goal for the summer.
• Record the books read onto an online profile and leave reviews to unlock digital badges and online rewards.
• Children will unlock a certificate to download when they reach their goal.

There is help and guidance available to support signing up to the online challenge from The Reading Agency.

Please note the in-person and online Challenges are separate.  Physical incentives such as the sticker booklet, stickers and medals are only avaialble via the library for those taking part in-person.

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

There are also lots of ebooks and audio books that can be borrowed from the library online to help complete the Challenge too.

The Summer Reading Challenge, can help children discover a love for reading.  Being able to choose the books they want to read and by being encouraged to to give an honest opinion about what they have read can help children find out what books suit them.  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

Each year the Challenge has a different theme.  In summer 2025 the Challenge was Story Garden and celebrated nature and the great outdoors, exploring adventure, fantasy and the magical world of storytelling.   Artwork from illustrator Dapo Adeola brought 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.   7,855 children took part in the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge in Nottinghamshire.