Published: Monday, 6th July 2026
The always-popular Summer Reading Challenge is here – and this year, readers are being encourage to ‘Read to the Beat’.
The national challenge encourages children aged between four and 11-years-old to read six books over the summer. Once signed up to the challenge, for each book they complete they will receive special stickers and other prizes – including a medal and certificate for reading their sixth book. All library books count towards the challenge, including fiction, graphic novels, ebooks, audiobooks, and non-fiction.
You can sign up now, and the Summer Reading Challenge will run until Saturday, 12 September.
Parents and carers can register their children for the challenge for free at any of our libraries.
To celebrate the National Year of Reading, there is also an exciting programme of events at all of our libraries this summer too, including:
- Creative writing workshops for children, teens, and adults,
- Toddler music sessions,
- The Rap School workshops for children and teens,
- Comic art masterclasses with Marvel and Beano artist Kev F Sutherland for children and teens,
- A magic and puppet show with party games,
- Intergenerational Pearly Queen karaoke,
- Mama G pantomime dame storytimes,
- Performances of “Florence and the Summer Giants” and “Jamboranja Jamboram” by Ed Boxall with art workshops,
- Storytimes, crafts, and more.
You can book a space and find out more here.
The Summer Reading Challenge is a national scheme from The Reading Agency which looks to keep children engaged with literacy and numeracy skills over the summer holidays. This year’s theme of ‘Read to the Beat’ aims to inspire children to explore the connection between stories and songs, and discover how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
Challenges for all ages
As well as the Summer Reading Challenge, three extra challenges will be running in Medway – one for children under three-years-old, one for those between 12 and 17-years-old and one for adults.
Medway’s Mini Challenge aims to help our youngest residents build language skills from a young age and discover reading, with six stickers to collect.
12 to 17-year-olds can take part in the free Young Adult Reading Challenge, with young adults also encouraged to read six books throughout the summer. Everyone who takes part will receive a 20 per cent discount code for Fort Amherst’s Fright Nights, and those who finish at least one book will be entered into our prize draw, which includes:
- Two art material gift bags from Sun Pier House,
- Book bundles as donated by Wordsmithery,
- An ice skating voucher,
- A selection of book bundles donated by e.live,
- 24 workshop places for various workshops donated by Electric Medway.
Those aged 18-years-old and over are encouraged to join the Adult Reading Challenge and read three books throughout the summer. Those who finish three books will be entered into a prize draw, which includes:
- A £50 Adult Education voucher,
- Tickets to The Central Theatre,
- Tickets for The Fenn Bell Inn Conservation Project Zoo,
- Wigmore Lecture tickets.
All of the challenges are free, and run until Saturday, 12 September. To sign up for any of Medway Council’s reading challenges, visit your local library.
Expand your imagination
Cllr Nina Gurung, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “Reading is so important – especially when it comes to our children and young people. Reading can open doors to brand-new worlds, help expand your imagination and creativity, and help you learn and understand new skills.
“We know Medway’s children and young people always step up to the challenge – last year saw Medway’s best ever performance in the Summer Reading Challenge with more than 15,000 books being finished over the summer. With this year being the National Year of Reading, it would be fantastic to see that record beaten once again this year!
“I am really pleased to see we are running our reading challenges for other age groups again too. Those brilliant benefits from reading don’t just apply to children, and it is great to see residents of all ages being offered the chance to get involved. We have 15 amazing council-run libraries here in Medway – so make sure you head to your local one this summer!”