The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six library books during the long summer holiday.

Children's reading can 'dip' during the summer holidays if they don't have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. The annual Summer Reading Challenge helps get three quarters of a million children into libraries each year to keep up their reading skills and confidence.

How it works

There is a different theme each year. Children can read whatever they like - fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, audio books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library.

Children receive special rewards each time they finish a book and there's a certificate for everyone who completes the Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school aged children and is designed for all reading abilities. Schools work with local libraries and give out information to encourage children to take part, and most libraries run Summer Reading Challenge linked early years activity for pre-schoolers.

• Librarians can find more information about running the Summer Reading Challenge on our practitioner page

• Teachers can find more information about getting involved in the Summer Reading Challenge on our schools page

Throughout the Summer Reading Challenge, library staff and teenage and adult volunteers support children, helping them to discover new authors and explore a wide range of different types of books.
Find out more about our Reading Hack programme for 13-24 year olds here.

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Themes

The Summer Reading Challenge 2018 theme was Mischief Makers, inspired by the much-loved children's title Beano, which celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Children explored a map of Beanotown to find the mysterious buried treasure and become ultimate mischief makers! Dennis, Gnasher and friends helped thousands of young readers solve clues and collect stickers, having lots of fun and adventures along the way!

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RNIB

RNIB Library makes a selection of Summer Reading Challenge books available in accessible formats for blind or partially sighted children, and for children with a print disability who cannot read standard print.

For children wanting to read six books to complete the Challenge, RNIB Library has thousands of children's titles in audio, braille and Giant Print formats. Audio books can be sent on DAISY CD, memory stick or downloaded via www.rniboverdrive.com. And their Kids and Teen page has a list of some of their most popular titles if you're not sure what to read next.

Contact RNBI Library for help choosing books at 01733 375333 or by email at LibraryInfo@rnib.org.uk

Not yet registered with RNIB Library? Find further information and an application form here.

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Tesco Bank Scotland

In Scotland the Challenge runs as Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland.
We're very grateful to Tesco Bank for our partnership with them on the programme since 2011 as part of their community programme.

Their support has led to a 30% increase in participation in Scottish libraries over the last three years.

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"The Summer Reading Challenge is about reading for the pleasure of reading. Stories are important because they nourish us and broaden our thinking. Librarians and all those involved in the huge success of the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge know how important this is and seek to change lives one book at a time."

"The Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful initiative - what could be better than getting our children into libraries? I can't recommend it highly enough. My son has always been a listener but now he's also a reader."

"I find the Summer Reading Challenge really fun - my brother and I see it as a challenge and we work against each other to see who could read the six books the fastest."