Summer reading challenge round-up
School’s out. Pack away the backpacks and lunchboxes, but keep those bookshelves and stacks of library books close; summer is made for leisurely reading…and healthy competition! Here’s our round-up of some of the best reading challenges available to students, and parents!, this summer.
School’s out. Pack away the backpacks and lunchboxes, but keep those bookshelves and stacks of library books close; summer is made for leisurely reading…and healthy competition! Here’s our round-up of some of the best reading challenges available to students, and parents!, this summer.
1. Second Lady Usha Vance’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge
For a second consecutive summer, the Second Lady is sponsoring her reading challenge for students in grades K-8. Simply visit the challenge website to print out a reading log and then track which 12 books your child reads between June 1 and September 4. Every book counts! Submit your completed reading log on the website by 11:59 p.m. EST on September 4, 2026 to receive a personalized certificate, an America 250th anniversary-themed bookmark, and a special prize link. You will also be entered for a chance to visit our nation’s capital and the White House with a chaperone.
2. Ignatius Press Kids & Family Summer Reading Challenge 2026
This challenge is for the whole family. Participating families receive a discount code for Ignatius Press children’s books and novels just for signing up for the challenge. Children ages 6-14 who read books off the provided reading lists, and submit a completed reading log by August 15, 2026 will receive a printable certificate and color-your-own bookmark. Students who read at least 20 books will earn a free book!
Parents can participate too! Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge to receive 2 free e-books and 1 free audio book in the Ignatius Press app during the months of June and July – 6 free books total!
3. BOOK IT! Summer of Stories
Pizza Hut has brought back its famous BOOK IT! Program that rewards readers with personal pan pizzas. Founded in 1984, the program has been upgraded with an easy-to-use app where parents can set reading goals, track progress, and redeem rewards for their children during the summer months.
Once summer finishes, classrooms and homeschools can keep the competition going with the BOOK IT! School Program that runs October 1 through March 31.
4. The Good and the Beautiful
While their free reading packs are sold out for this year, The Good and the Beautiful still has lots of fun resources to help your family set and track summer reading goals. PDFs of the books are free to download, and hard copies of the reading pack titles can still be purchased on the website.
5. Local libraries
Many local libraries have summer reading programs and competitions to encourage children to use the summer months to keep reading, so be sure to check out the libraries near you!
Where to begin?
If you need suggestions for your summer reading, check out some of our favorite reading lists:
- Road-trips and read-alouds
- 73 Books for every mood
- The heartbreaking story behind the best children’s books you’ve never heard of
- 7 Self-help books that actually grow virtue
- What to sip while reading: The perfect drink companion to 5 good books
- 10 classic novels every girl should read before she turns 18
- 10 books for every boy to read before he turns 18
- 5 Summer read-alouds for young children
