Reading Challenges
Summer Reading Challenge
June 1–July 31
Our annual Summer Reading Challenge focuses on the development of literacy skills and preparation of children for success by fostering those skills at an early age. The program is open to readers of all ages, with prizes available to participants.
This year’s theme is centered around adventure! The slogan is Adventure Begins at Your Library/La Aventura Comienza en tu Biblioteca, and the library is the perfect place to come together and create shared adventures. We invite you to spend a summer full of reading, learning, and sharing adventures with us!
Beanstack
The Washoe County Library System uses Beanstack for all our reading challenges. Beanstack automatically offers you all active challenges for which you are eligible. You can also use Beanstack to track your reading time and keep an ongoing log of the books you've read, even if you aren't participating in a reading challenge.
100 Books Before Graduation
Keep yourself motivated to read with this teen reading challenge. Read whatever books you want, and earn digital badges along the way. Not sure what to read? For some ideas, visit our For Teens page, or check out our reading lists, including New Fiction, Graphic Novels, and Teen Books on Order.
A Thousand Miles of Desert and Mountains
In partnership with the University Libraries, the Washoe County Library System is offering a virtual exploration of a Special Collections and University Archives collection titled A Thousand Miles of Desert and Mountains. This reading challenge, aimed at fourth through seventh graders but appropriate for all ages, explores a set of diaries written by two prospectors as they traveled across Nevada in search of the next big bonanza. It also features maps and worksheets that can be completed for digital badges.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success. Any child five years or younger can participate. Just follow these steps:
- Get Started: Download the Beanstack app to your smartphone.
- Track Your Reading: record the titles in the app.
- Every Book Counts: New book, same book, or story time book, it all counts.
- Keep on Reading: Don’t stop at 1,000! Keep on reading together. There’s more learning ahead!
If you read just one book a night, you’ll meet your goal in less than three years. Visit the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten website for printable certificates and reading logs.
Coloring Sheets Letter to Parents
