During the 2023 Challenge, over 14 million books, including eBooks and audio titles, were read and issued through libraries
Summer Reading Challenge
What is the Summer Reading Challenge?
1 in 4 children cannot read well by the age of 11. This hugely limits their life choices and skills. We’re on a mission to change this.
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to keep reading during the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for a great start to the new term in the autumn. Children set a reading goal and collect rewards for reading anything they enjoy. Children can sign up at their local library or online, and it’s FREE to take part.
This year’s Challenge is called Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity! From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone. This year’s theme has been developed in partnership with a leading arts charity, Create.
The Challenge starts on Saturday 22 June in Scotland and online, and on Saturday 6 July in England and Wales.
Official Book Collection from 2023: Ready, Set, Read!
Who is it for?
The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children from 4-11 years old. It supports this age group and their families by:
- Preparing children to get back to the classroom in the autumn.
- Supporting the move into a new year group or key stage.
- Boosting children’s confidence and self-esteem by supporting independent reading.
- Providing free access to books and fun family activities during the summer.
Our research
The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest reading for pleasure programme for children, and helps get approximately 700,000 children into libraries each year.
In 2023, 75% of children who took part said they now enjoy reading more.
1 in 4 children don’t reach the expected level of reading by the age of 11
Get Involved
In the library
Visit your local library and sign up. Your child will set a reading goal, choose anything they like to read, and collect special stickers and rewards for their reading. Libraries offer lots of free activities and events throughout the summer.
Online
Sign up on the official Challenge website to take part online. Children can set a reading goal and get tips for accessing books for free at home. As they read books, they’ll unlock digital rewards, including a printable certificate.
Email us to find out how your library could deliver the Summer Reading Challenge.
Volunteering
Help us spread the joy of reading! Contact your local library directly to ask about opportunities to support with this year’s Challenge.
Volunteers at the library can get involved with things like delivering activities for children and families, handing out prizes, and talking to children about their reading.
Please note opportunities and dates vary between libraries.
Are you working towards your DofE Award?
Good news: we’re a DofE Approved Activity Provider, so your Summer Reading Challenge volunteering counts towards the volunteering section of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award!
Resources
Photos of key materials: Marvellous Makers
At the link below, you will be able to download photos of key Marvellous Makers materials. These photos can be used in your promotional materials…
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Latest opportunities from our publisher partners for schools and libraries
If you have a reading group with children or work in a school or library - we have some fantastic opportunities for you! If you…
Document Borders – Summer Reading Challenge 2024
Download these funky Marvellous Makers borders to create Summer Reading Challenge posters, activities and resources. All illustrations are by Natelle Quek and © The Reading…
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Clip art for Marvellous Makers: Characters (JPEGs)
Download JPEGs of individual characters, created by our brilliant Summer Reading Challenge 2024 illustrator, Natelle Quek. You must credit Natelle Quek wherever you use this…
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Latest News
The Summer Reading Challenge’s ‘Marvellous Makers’ theme celebrates children’s creativity
The Reading Agency is excited to announce the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: Marvellous Makers! Developed in partnership with Create, this year’s Challenge aims to fire up children’s imaginations and unleash storytelling and creativity through the power of reading.
Summer Reading Challenge: Reach and Engagement 2023
The 2023 Summer Reading Challenge: ‘Ready, Set, Read!’, delivered in partnership with libraries and the Youth Sport Trust, once again brought the fun and benefits of reading to families across the UK.
The Reading Agency and the Youth Sport Trust invite children on a winter reading adventure
The Reading Agency has today announced that they are teaming up with the Youth Sport Trust again for this year’s Winter Mini Challenge, a free reading adventure.
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