1 July – 12 September
You're invited to join our free Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat which launches on 1 July.
How does it work?
- Visit your local library and ask to join the Summer Reading Challenge
- There’s a Challenge for age 4 plus and a special Mini Challenge for 0-3 year olds
- You will be given your special collector card and goodies
- Borrow and read library books, they can be stories or fact books, poetry or graphic novels – any library book counts!
- Set your own reading goal to claim your medal and certificate in the library
- If you read 4 or more library books, you’ll be entered into our prize draw
Libraries also have lots of free activities for you to enjoy during the summer holidays. These will be announced in July on Loads to Do and in your local library.
BorrowBox
You can also read digital eBooks and eAudiobooks using our free BorrowBox app. If you read books on BorrowBox, please ask the library for your collector card. Also, let us know when you finish the challenge.
You can join online too
If you can’t make it into a library, you can join online instead on the Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge website. Remember to enter 'Manchester' when asked for more information. We'll invite you to pick up your winner's medal and certificate after the summer holidays.
Prizes
If you read four books or more, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 or £50 voucher and a bundle of books! We’ll also have goody bag winners from each library and special effort prizes for any child nominated by a librarian!
Book review competition
Why not tell us about a book that you’ve really enjoyed? The competition is open to ages 4 to 16 years and you can either write or draw about the book. Winners will each scoop a prize of a book bundle, kindle tablet or art supplies! Pick up an entry form from your local library or enter online here.
Why is reading for pleasure important?
Right now, 1 out of every 5 children in England can't read well by the time they are 11 years old. But reading for fun can help children get better at reading and is so important for doing well at school. Choosing books that interest them will help children to read more and develop a regular reading habit. Research shows that regular reading significantly improves children's mental health, well-being, and empathy.
The National Year of Reading is a campaign to inspire children and families to enjoy reading every day.
Closing date is 12 September 2026
Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music UK.