Summer Reading Challenge 2026 - Read to the Beat

The Summer Reading Challenge is the libraries biggest free annual reading event running from 4 July until 6 September

Every year The Reading Agency run in partnership with libraries across the country the Summer Reading Challenge, it's a great way to keep children reading over the summer.

Taking part can help avoid the potential dip in reading levels over the long summer break and provides free fun for 4 – 11 year olds.

This year's challenge is Read to the Beat, celebrating the joy of music and storytelling.

Children aged 4 - 11

• Sign up at their local library for FREE and receive a starter pack consisting of; a sticker booklet, bookmark and Storytime magazine.
• Borrow and read library books, of their choice -setting themselves personal reading goals and collecting stickers and character collector cards along the way.
• Complete 6 reading goals to receive a certificate and medal.

Library staff and volunteers are on hand to talk to children about the books they have read.

Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge and the activities we have planned at:

• Summer Reading Challenge (Inspire Culture Learning and Libraries)
• Summer Reading Challenge (Nottingham City Libraries)

Learn all about the Summer Reading Challenge in this 2 minute YouTube produced by Inspire Libraries.