Summer reading challenge

Get Ready, Set, Read! with the Summer Reading Challenge

Image promoting the Summer Reading Challenge for 2023

8th July - 16th September 2023

Image displaying the text 'Extra Time' to promote the Summer Reading Challenge has been extended until 16th September to allow extra time for children to read their six books and be entered into the prize draw.

The Summer Reading Challenge is entering Extra Time!

As the new school year starts the Summer Reading Challenge at Harrow libraries is entering Extra Time! We’ve extended the finish date to Saturday 16th September giving all our readers an extra week to complete the Challenge after the long summer holidays.

Over 3000 children have participated in our ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ Summer Reading Challenge events this year, themed around the power of play, sport and games.

From webinars and online workouts with Joe Wicks to Karate-themed drama workshops with storytellers Cat and Hutch, Fantasy Football Maths sessions with Wembley Stadium’s Learning Zone, motivational craft activities with Ramona Bigwood, coding and classes with Robothink & Explore Learning and culminating with an epic week-long creative writing course from wordsmith Richard Neville exploring the Ancient Olympic Games, we’ve been on a mission to inspire and inform young minds across the London Borough of Harrow.

Finish the six-book Ready, Set, Read! Summer Reading Challenge at Harrow libraries to receive a mini frisbee (whilst stocks last), medal, certificate -whilst stocks last- and be entered into our exclusive prize draw to win one of 10 sets of family (and friends) tickets for an amazing tour of Wembley Stadium.

Image showing a trophy cup

The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by the Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries. It is the UK’s biggest free reading for pleasure programme for children aged 4 to 11 to keep reading during the summer holidays.

Join in the fun...

The Summer Reading Challenge invites children aged 4 – 11, to read six or more library books over the summer. There are stickers and other rewards for every book read, with a medal and certificate for every child who completes the challenge.

This year children join the Ready, Set, Read! team and their animal mascots as they use their skills to work their way through a summer obstacle course. Hidden along the obstacle course are six golden books. Each time the team complete an obstacle, they will collect a golden book – and to cross the finish line, you’ll need to collect all six.

The Summer Reading Challenge 2023 launches on Saturday 8th July and you can join the superstar team by setting your own personal reading challenge to complete this summer.

Create a free profile to keep track of your books, reviews, and all of the special rewards you unlock along the way.

You'll also find loads activities, quizzes, videos, games and more to keep you entertained at home.

Image showing the characters from the Summer Reading Challenge

The 2023 characters and artwork have been brought to life by epic children’s writer and illustrator Loretta Schaeur.

Check out our Summer Reading Challenge fun events here and book now!

How to join and take part in the Summer Reading Challenge

You can take part in the Challenge by signing up at your local library.

It’s completely free to sign up. Your library will give you a special collector folder so you can meet the superstars, find out more about the challenge and help you find books to read.

As you read books for your Challenge, return to the library to receive bookmarks, stickers and a special mini-Frisbee.

You'll get a special certificate too!

Or you can take part in the Challenge on the Summer Reading Challenge website.

Choose a summer reading goal – we recommend six books, but you can challenge yourself to read as many as you like!

Each time you finish a book, add it to your website profile to unlock special badges and activities. You’ll unlock a virtual badge and certificate when you reach your summer reading goal.

Prize Draw

Children who complete the Summer Reading Challenge will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 10 family (and friends!) tickets for an amazing tour of Wembley Stadium - which is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2023.
Wembley Learning Zone logo

Since it first opened in 1923, Wembley has been home to some of the most historic and memorable moments of the last century. From the Olympics in 1948, the World Cup in 1966, Live Aid in 1985, to the Women’s Euros in 2022.

We’re delighted to be able to offer this special prize to our readers in Harrow with thanks to Wembley Stadium Learning Zone.

Competition T&Cs

The Wembley Stadium Tour prize draw is only open to readers who complete the Summer Reading Challenge at Harrow Libraries. Ten winners (drawn at random) can join Harrow Libraries on a tour of Wembley Stadium in October 2023. Date TBC. Tickets will comprise 2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children. Tickets are non-transferable and no cash alternative is available.

Harrow Arts Centre logo

Children who complete the Summer Reading Challenge will also be entered into a prize draw to win a Family Ticket to attend a performance of Snow White Pantomime kindly donated by Harrow Arts Centre.