Book trackers for reading challenges.

Readers are leaders

Nine out of ten scientists agree that setting a reading goal leads to more reading. The tenth scientist was finishing the last chapter of a novel and couldn’t answer. Joking aside, reading challenges are great for creating a goal number of books you want to read. Even if you fall short of your goal, most likely, you’ll have read more than you would have without doing the challenge.

1,000 books sounds like a lot, but for a child who begins kindergarten at age five, that is 200 books per year, which is less than one per day. And all of that reading with your child will set them up for great success in kindergarten and beyond.

Here are tips for meeting this important goal:

  • Reading the same book multiple times counts as a book each time. The repetition of a favorite book is excellent for helping children develop key skills such as word recognition, comprehension, and fluency.
  •  Let your child choose the books they want to read – preschoolers start to have very strong opinions and are more likely to engage with books they are interested in for longer. Visit the Library and let them fill a bag of books to borrow. (We are fine-free!)
  • Have fun! Don’t make reading a chore or stressful. You don’t have to finish a book if your child is no longer interested in sitting still.
  • Read in a pillow fort, by flashlight, or at a park.
  • Read to your pet, stuffed animals, or dolls.
  • Try Wonderbooks, audiobooks (they count as reading!) or Bookflix.
  • Read while waiting at the doctor’s office or when in store lines.

How to track your child’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten:

Prizes:

All this work deserves a prize! Your child can choose a hardcover book about starting school from our online store (available through Beanstack or ask a staff member to help). They can also come in to choose a sticker after every 100 books.

If your child starts this goal in kindergarten, that means 100 books per year to get to 500 Books Before Middle School. That’s about two books per week. 

Here are tips for meeting this important goal:

  • Kids work hard at school, so try to make reading a fun part of their day.
  • Let your child choose the books they want to read – they are more likely to engage with them for longer if they are interested. Visit the Library and let them fill a bag of books to borrow. (We are fine-free!)
  • Try audiobooks (they count as reading!) 
  • Sit and read together —either reading to your child, or each reading your own book. This models great behavior and will also help you read more!
  • Enjoy active reading together. Active reading is the difference between simply turning pages and talking about what’s happening on the book’s pages. Try asking questions, such as:
  • “Who was the story about? How would you describe the characters? Would you want to be friends with this character?”
  • “Where did the story take place? When?”
  • “What happened in the beginning, middle, and end of the story?”
  • “What problem did the characters face? How did they solve their problem?”
  • “What did you like, or not like about this book?”

How to track your child’s 500 Books Before Middle School:

Prizes:

All this work deserves a prize! Your child can pick a prize (backpack, glitter lamp, misting fan, constellation nightlight, aluminum water bottle, or rainbow journal) from our online store (available through Beanstack or ask a staff member to help) when they finish the reading challenge. They can also come in to choose a sticker after every 100 books.

Middle and high school students who read 15 books each year will meet this important goal before graduating from high school. It’s important for busy students to keep reading beyond classroom assignments in order to:

  • Improve vocabulary and language skills.
  • Enhance critical thinking and comprehension skills.
  • Increase imagination and creativity.
  • Gain exposure to new ideas and, in turn, a wider understanding of the world.
  • Improve focus and concentration.
  • Develop empathy.
  • Encourage independent learning.
  • Support emotional and social development.
  • Enhance writing skills.
  • Support post-high school academic, career, and life success.

How to track 100 Books Before Graduation:

Prizes:

All this work deserves a prize! You can pick a prize (backpack, glitter lamp, misting fan, constellation nightlight, aluminum water bottle, or rainbow journal) from our online store (available through Beanstack or ask a staff member to help) when you finish the reading challenge. 

For all of you ambitious readers, set a personal goal to read 100 books, and you will get a special sticker for your achievement. You can keep track on your own, or use the digital Beanstack tracker. Either way, just let us know when you finish and pick up your sticker at any location.

I’m a teacher or group leader–can I register my class? Groups and classes are welcome to participate. Register through Beanstack or contact your neighborhood library to join.

When does the program end? These are ongoing reading challenges. Finish at your own pace.

Can you mail my prize? All prizes must be picked up in person. 

What if I start a book but don’t finish it? If you read at least 1/3 of the book, you can log it! Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy!

Can I count books I read before I signed up? Only books you have read after you registered count. But rereading books does count!

Is there a booklist or required reading? Read whatever books you like! If you need ideas, check out some of these book lists.