Reading Challenges

Summer Reading Challenge

June 1–July 31
Early Registration starts on May 1, 2025

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 art! The slogan is Color Our World/Colorea Nuestro Mundo and the library is the perfect place to come together and explore creativity. This year's artwork is by Mike Mullan. We invite you to spend a summer full of reading, learning, and sharing adventures with us! Our summer calendar of events offers an array of family engagement opportunities that focus on educational, literacy, arts, and cultural engagement. 

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.

• Download the Beanstack app and create an account to track your progress and earn digital badges along the way. Available February 1–March 31. 
• Read for 300 minutes and earn 16 digital badges to complete the challenge.
• Print and color the Color our World with Books bookmark
• View the Nevada Reading Week 2025 booklists.

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