Reading challenges

Dates: Saturday, 5 July 2025–Saturday, 13 September 2025
Suitable for: the Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at 4–11 year olds.

The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge theme is Story Garden and will aim to inspire children to tap into a world of imagination through reading. Story Garden will celebrate nature and the great outdoors, exploring adventures, fantasy and the magical world of storytelling.

This year's challenge features artwork from award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, whose illustrations will bring the Story Garden theme to life; creating an enchanting world where children can find magical creatures, plants and flowers to inspire their next reading adventure.

The Summer Reading Challenge is presented by The Reading Agency and delivered by libraries across the country.

• Watch the Summer Reading Challenge promotional video on YouTube (00:03:32)

Take part

To take part in the Summer Reading Challenge:

1. Your child needs to be a library member. If they're not, see how to join the library
2. Your child can sign up for the challenge at any library in the borough. Find your local library
3. You'll get a collector's folder to keep track of their reading. Add the books your child reads over the summer to the collector's folder. They need to read at least 6 books to complete the challenge.
4. When they complete the challenge, come back to the library with the collector's folder. Your child will earn a certificate and we'll enter them into a prize draw.

Your child can also take part in the challenge online, where they can track their progress and earn rewards over several challenges.

Join the Summer Reading Challenge online

What to read for the challenge

Your child can read anything they'd like – all books count towards the goal. This includes comics, poems, audiobooks and picture books. You don't need to buy new books for the challenge either. You can borrow from the library or even re-read a book.

You may like to:

• Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks for free
• Use the book sorter to get recommendations on what to read - all of the books in the Book Sorter have been added by children just like you.
• Re-read a book - your child can re-read books they already have at home. The most important thing is that they're reading and having fun.

Ideas, games, competitions and more

The Summer Reading Challenge website has fantastic reading ideas, fun games and exciting competitions. You can also keep up to date with all the latest Summer Reading Challenge news.

• Summer Reading Challenge website

Events and activities

Summer Reading Challenge events and activities will take place throughout the summer holidays.

Find Summer Reading Challenge events

Follow us on social media

We post information about our events and more on:

• Facebook @RochdaleBoroughLibraries
• X @RochdaleLibrary