The Summer Reading Challenge is a national programme from The Reading Agency that has been running for over 20 years. It was set up to combat the dip in children’s literacy levels over the summer holidays, leaving children struggling to catch up when school restarts in September.
The Summer Reading Challenge also encourages children to develop a love of reading for fun, as this is the biggest indicator of a child’s future success. Studies also show reading for pleasure has a great effect on children’s mental health and wellbeing.
The whole family can take part with a challenge for children, teens, and adults.
All reading challenges take place between Saturday 21 June and Saturday 13 September 2025.
More about the:
Mini Challenge
Children up to 3 years old can collect stickers for the first 6 books they borrow this summer, from Saturday 21 June to Saturday 13 September 2025.
Children's Summer Reading Challenge
The theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is Story Garden. This theme explores the connection between storytelling and nature.
To complete the challenge, children are encouraged to read 6 library books between Saturday 21 June to Saturday 13 September 2025.
For every book finished, they'll receive a prize including:
- a poster
- stickers
- a bookmark
- a pop badge.
If children read more than 6 books, they'll get a special achievement certificate.
Any library book counts towards the child’s total, including our wide range of:
- fiction
- non-fiction
- graphic novels
- comics
- audiobooks
- eBooks.
This challenge is for children aged 4 to 11.
To sign up and take part, visit any Medway library.
There are many events running throughout the summer at Medway Libraries to celebrate the Story Garden theme.
Teen Reading Challenge
The Teen Reading Challenge encourages teenagers to read 6 library books between Saturday 21 June to Saturday 13 September 2025.
Participants who read and return at least 1 book will be entered into a prize draw.
Prizes include:
- games (donated by Playopolis)
- sets of books (donated by Wordsmithery)
- art packs (donated by Sun Pier).
Any library book counts towards the challenge, including our wide range of:
- fiction
- non-fiction
- graphic novels, comics, and manga
- audiobooks
- eBooks and eAudiobooks.
This challenge is for teenages aged 12 to 18.
To sign up, visit any Medway library.
Adult Reading Challenge
Take some time out for yourself this summer and take part in the Adult Reading Challenge.
Reading is a perfect way to relax, escape, journey somewhere else, or discover something new.
For a chance to win a great prize read, 6 library books between Saturday 21 June to Saturday 13 September 2025.
Any library book counts towards your total.
Participants who finish 6 books will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win one of our great prizes including:
- a £50 voucher for the cost of an adult education course (donated by Medway Adult Education)
- heritage attraction tickets (donated by Medway Heritage Team)
- Wigmore Lecture series tickets (donated by Medway Libraries)
- family ticket to this year’s pantomime (donated by The Central Theatre).
This challenge is open to any Medway resident who is over 18 years old.
To sign up, visit any Medway library.