animals in a park

Summer Reading Challenge! June 17 - August 31

Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge! offers kids and teens a chance to fill their summer with great books and fun activities. This year, we are partnering with local organizations that embody kindness, friendship, and unity within our community.

Earn e-badges throughout the summer to:

  • Become an Animal All-Star! Be kind to animals with Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and Friends of Montgomery County Animals, who will help adoptable pets find their forever homes.
  • Become a Kindness Rock Star! Be kind to each other by helping the Manna Food Center provide meals to families in Montgomery County.
  • Become a Planeteer! Be kind to the planet with Montgomery Parks Foundation by powering local parks with solar energy to reduce greenhouse emissions.
  • Join in by reading books, completing creative learning activities, and attending library programs all summer long. You'll receive a book at sign-up and earn e-badges throughout the summer! You’ll also have a chance to earn Washington Nationals baseball tickets (while supplies last), plus gain entries for exciting raffles!

Participating is easy:

  • Sign up (or log in) online or at your local library starting May 15, and begin logging your reading, activities, and pick up your free book starting June 17.
  • Earn e-badges to complete the program.
  • The last day to pick up Washington Nationals vouchers is August 31st. All other giveaways must be picked up by September 8th.
  • (Optional) Print an Early Literacy or Elementary School Age game board at home or pick one up at your local library.
  • Take our survey in English or Spanish when you've finished the program. Your voice counts!
Park with sign for early literacy

Early Literacy (0-5)

Read books and/or complete the recommended activities to earn three e-badges and help pets find homes, provide meals for families, and reduce greenhouse emissions.

park with sign for children

Children (6-12)

Read books and/or complete the recommended activities to earn three e-badges and help pets find homes, provide meals for families, and reduce greenhouse emissions.

notebook paper with teens sign

Teens (13-17)

Read books, attend library programs, and help your community for a chance to win prizes, including two system-wide grand prizes: a Nintendo Switch Bundle and an Xbox Series S Bundle. Learn more [PDF] and check out the prizes [PDF].

sharks and dolphins

Videos

Check out our 2023 Summer Reading Challenge! video on YouTube. It is also available in Spanish too.

summer reading booklists sign

Gameboards & More

Print an Early Literacy or Elementary School Age gameboard at home.

Early Literacy Game Boards

Children's Game Boards

summer reading booklists sign

Summer Reading Booklists

Enjoy these reading lists by grade selected by MCPL librarians for kids of all ages.

These curated summer reading lists are also available in our online catalog.

Monty The Service Dog

Monty the Service Dog

Take Monty the Service Dog (PDF) along on all your summer adventures!

Take Monty the Service Dog on a walk around the neighborhood, on vacation, and everywhere you go.

Take photos of yourself and Monty the Service Dog having fun together.

Make sure to tag #MCPLreads on social media if you post pictures of Monty the Service Dog’s summer fun!

Summer Reading library partners

MCPL's Summer Reading Partners

MCPL and the Washington Nationals are teaming up to encourage reading! The Washington Nationals will give MCPL Summer Reading Challenge! participants who earn Badge 2 a voucher for two to attend a regular season baseball game for free. Vouchers are available while supplies last.

MCPL is working with Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center, Friends of Montgomery County Animals, Manna Food Center, and Montgomery Parks Foundation to spread kindness throughout our community by:

  • Helping adoptable pets find forever homes
  • Feeding families in our community
  • Powering our local parks with solar energy

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