Summer Reading Challenge

The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge is returning to Kent Libraries from Saturday 4 July to Saturday 5 September. The Challenge invites children aged 4 to 11 to take part and enjoy reading for fun. And it’s completely free.

This year’s theme, Read to the Beat, celebrates the joy of music and the power it has to move, inspire, and connect us – all through the magic of reading.

How to join

Joining the Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat is easy and free. Children can take part in a way that works for them. They do not need to join at the start of the Challenge. Children can sign up at any time from 4 July.

Join at your local library

1. Head to your local library or mobile library to sign up. Children must have a library card to participate.
2. Speak to a member of the local library team.
3. Borrow a library book.
4. Collect a sticker booklet and get started! Plus, this year, Children will also get a free copy of the Storytime Magazine.

Children, parents or carers who are eligible for the Home Library Service can take part through this service. Apply online or contact your local library team.

Or join in online

To take part online, children need to:

1. head to the Summer Reading Challenge website
2. create a new profile or log in to an existing account
3. start tracking goals online.

For children taking part online only, The Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat works a little differently. They track their progress online instead of receiving a sticker booklet and stickers, but when they complete their goals, they can still collect a certificate and a medal from their local library.

What reading counts

Children can read books of any length, by any author, across all genres: fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks, e-books, poetry, graphic novels, cookbooks, joke books, anything they like. Children take part by reading in a way that works for them - just make sure it is borrowed from the library to earn rewards.

How to earn rewards

Read to your own beat this year. The Challenge allows children to choose from a range of personalised reading-related goals and read what they enjoy.

Rewards and incentives

Children who take part in libraries will receive rewards as they reach each goal milestone.

As they progress through the Challenge, they can collect:

• after 2 goals - a bookmark
• after 4 goals - a key ring
• after 6 goals - a certificate and a medal.

Each reward marks a step in their reading journey and celebrates their progress.

Children who take part online can also collect a certificate and a medal from their local library once they complete the Challenge.

Other socials to follow

Follow the Summer Reading Challenge on Facebook.

To keep up to date follow the Reading Agency on Twitter and use the hashtag #SummerReadingChallenge.

Read to the Beat illustrations by Harry Woodgate , illustrations and logo © The Reading Agency 2026.