ReadSquared Reading Program

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, toddler, or pre-schooler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (you can repeat books) before your child starts Kindergarten. You have more time than you think to accomplish this goal, but you should get started!

Studies have shown that reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding. Reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for both of you.

Using READsquared for this program will help you keep track of the titles you've read. It will also help us know when to reward your child for completing milestones on the way to 1,000 books and for completing the program.

Enrollment can begin at any time and for any child not yet in Kindergarten, and you can complete the program at your own pace.

500 Books Before Middle School

The concept of the program is simple: read a book, any book, and have fun! The goal is to read 500 books before your child starts middle school (and yes, you can repeat books). If you read 2 books a week, you will have read 104 books in a year. That is 208 books in two years and 312 books in three years! You have more time than you think to read 500 Books Before Middle School!

Enrollment can begin at any time and for any child not yet in Middle School, and you can complete the program at your own pace!

We'll offer small rewards for milestones throughout the challenge, and every child who completes their 500 books will receive a prize at the end!

200 Books Before High School

The concept of the program is simple: read a book, any book, and have fun! The goal is to read 200 books before you start high school (and yes, you can repeat books).

Enrollment can begin at any time and for anyone not yet in High School, and you can complete the program at your own pace.

We'll offer small rewards for milestones throughout the challenge, and everyone who completes their 200 books will receive a prize at the end!

100 Books Before Graduation

This program encourages students to read 100 books before they graduate high school.

The concept of the program is simple: read a book, any book, and have fun!

Enrollment can begin at any time and for any high school student, and you can complete the program at your own pace.

Every student who completes their 100 books will receive a prize at the end!

Personal Reading Journal

This is the place for you to journal your personal reading adventures.

***Not for prize entry.***

26 Book Reading Challenge 2026

The 26 Book Reading Challenge is designed to challenge each of us to read new authors and genres by reading 26 books within 52 weeks. In the library, you can find a list of the 26 prompts for this challenge.

Complete the 26 prompts to be entered into a grand prize drawing in January 2027!

**You may only register for either the 26 Book Reading Challenge or the 52 Book Reading Challenge.**

52 Book Reading Challenge 2026

The 52 Book Reading Challenge is designed to challenge each of us to read new authors and genres by reading 52 books within 52 weeks. In the library, you can find a list of the 52 prompts for this challenge.

Complete the 52 prompts to be entered into a grand prize drawing in January 2027!

**You may only register for either the 52 Book Reading Challenge or the 26 Book Reading Challenge.**

To Read or Not to Read...

To read or not to read, that is the question...

Did you know that William Shakespeare is so widely published, he is outsold only by the Holy Bible? Though the language of his plays is certainly olde-fashioned, the themes behind his plays are timeless and his mark on English literature and language is still unparalleled five hundred years later!

Your challenge is to read all of Shakespeare's plays at your pace. Your prize for completing this challenge is a sense of accomplishment (and superiority over others, if you're into that).

Reading logs are available at the circulation desk.

Adieu, adieu, adieu!

Audiobook 2026

Listen to 50 Audiobooks (adult and young adult) throughout the year. You may listen to books on CD, MP3 Players, or Digital Formats.

When you have completed your challenge without repeating any titles, bring your log sheet (available at the Circulation Desk) back to the library December 31, 2026, to receive your prize of a book from the book prize cart.

Agatha Christie Mystery Reading Challenge

The goal is simply to read through Agatha Christie's mystery stories. You don't have to complete the challenge within one year.

*Challenge is not for a prize.

Jane Austen Challenge

Read Abigail Reynolds Work	Pride and Prejudice	Read Jane Austen Mystery	Book by Contemporary of Jane Austen	Retelling of Jane Austen Novel
Jane Austen's Letters	Graphic Version of Jane Austen Novel	Watch Jane Austen Biopic	Emma	Read a Crossover
Mansfield Park	Read Jane Austen Fanfiction	FREE	Something by JA but not a Major Novel	Watch a Modern Screen Adaptation
Book with Jane Austen as a Character	Listen to Jane Austen Audiobook	Northanger Abbey	Contemporary Retelling of Jane Austen Work	Read Non-Fiction related to Jane Austen
Watch a Screen Adaptation	Sense and Sensibility	Read Pride and Prejudice Variation	Watch Bollywood Screen Adaptation	Persuasion

Tour de Nonfiction

Read 24 adult non-fiction books in the 12 months of 2026. While your books do not have to be library books (although that would add another layer to the challenge, if you choose), they should fit a series of prompts based on the non-fiction sections of the library. This is a month-based challenge, so you should complete 2 prompts each month, but the order is up to you. Please do not repeat books.

Please come to the library to get a printout of the prompts. When you've completed the reading and the form (due December 31, 2026), bring it back to the library to receive your book-cart prize.

The Plot Thickens

Read 50 books from any crime genre from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Books may include any combination of Thrillers, Historical Mysteries, Detective Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, or True Crime and maybe in any format, (physical book, ebook, or audiobook).

Reading logs are available for pickup at the circulation desk. (No repeat titles.)

Wagons and Wildflowers

?Read 2 books a month for a total of 24 books throughout the year. You must read at least 3 Western, 3 Historical Fiction, and 3 Inspirational books. The remaining 15 books can be from any of the three genres. Please choose all books from adult and young adult selections and please do not repeat books.

When you’ve completed your log (available at the circulation desk) bring it back to the front desk at the library and earn a prize from the book prize cart. All submissions are due by December 31, 2026.

Cozy Reads Across the Genres 2026

?This challenge encourages you to embrace coziness throughout the library and across genres. Each month, read a cozy book that fits the prompt for that month. When you've completed your log with books from adult and young adult selections and without repeating any titles, please bring your log sheet (which is available for pickup at the circulation desk) back to the front desk of the library to receive your prize of a book from the book prize cart. All logs are due by December 31, 2026.

Cozy Book Challenge 2026

Read a cozy book each month throughout the year. The challenge is to find and read a cozy book from any genre that corresponds with each prompt on your log sheet (which is available for pickup at the library's circulation desk). You can complete the prompts in any order that you like, but please log only one book per month, make sure your titles are from adult and young adult selections, and don't repeat titles.

Return your completed log to the front desk by December 31, 2026, and receive your prize of a book from the book prize cart.

ABC Adventure 2026

For this challenge, you’ll be tackling 26 books for 26 letters. You’ll need a book for each letter, with either the title or one of the Author’s names or initials starting with that letter. Please choose your books from adult and young adult selections and please do not repeat titles. All submissions are due by December 31, 2026, to ensure prize eligibility. Prizes will come from the book prize cart.

Reading logs are available for pickup at the circulation desk.

General Reading Challenge

Read 100 different books (for adults and young adults) between January 1st and December 31st in 2026. All formats (paper books, ebooks, audiobooks) are acceptable, but please don't repeat titles.

When you've completed your list, bring your log form (available at the circulation desk) back to the library by December 31, 2026, to receive a prize from the book prize cart.

Cover Lovers Reading Challenge 2026

For this challenge, just read 50 books whose covers fit the prompts on the list. Please choose books form adult and young adult titles and do not repeat books.

When you've completed your challenge and completed your log (book logs with the specific prompts are available at the Circulation Desk), just bring it to the front desk by December 31, 2026, to receive a prize from the book prize cart.

Read It, Watch It 2026

So many great movies and TV shows are based on books, and this challenge lets you explore that. To complete the challenge, simply read a book based on each prompt and then watch the movie or TV show that was adapted from that book. For any TV show, you should watch at least 1.5-2 hours for it to count (roughly the length of a movie). Any repetition of books or movies within the list will not count, and all books most be read and adaptations watched during 2026.

When you complete your reading, watching, and listing, please bring in the filled-out form by December 31, 2026, and you'll receive a prize from the Book Cart.

Log sheets with the specific prompts are available at the Circulation Desk.

Diverse Voices Reading Challenge

Read 25 books by 25 different BIPOC authors in at least 9 different genres.

Your task is to read at least one book from 9 different genres. The other 16 books can be from genres of your choosing. The catch is this: All of the books need to be by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors, and they all need to be by different authors.

Please don't repeat books (even if a book is written by 2 authors), and please choose books for adult and young adults. If a book crosses genres (e.g., romantasy or historical mystery), you can choose either genre, but not both.

This challenge runs form January 1 to December 31, 2026. There is no prize for this challenge; it's just for fun.

Log sheets with details are available at the Circulation Desk.

Female Writers Across the Library 2026

Read 25 books by 25 different female authors in at least 9 different genres.

Your task is to read at least one book from 9 different genres. The other 16 books can be from genres of your choosing. The catch is this: All of the books need to be by female authors, and they all need to be by different authors.

This challenge runs form January 1 to December 31, 2026. There is no prize for this challenge; it's just for fun.

Log sheets with details are available at the Circulation Desk.

250 Books for America250

?This challenge is simple, but not easy. Just read 250 books in 2026 to celebrate America's Semiquincentennial (that's the 250th anniversary). As long as your books are for adults or young adults and you don't repeat during the year, the choices are yours!

Since this is a big one, everyone who completes it and turns their logs in by December 31, 2026, will be rewarded with a special prize! You can also complete this challenge here on READsquared.

If you'd like a paper log, they are available at the Circulation Desk.

50 States for America250

?To celebrate America's Semiquincentennial (that's the 250th anniversary), your task is to read a book set in each of the 50 states. Any book that's set (even partially) in a state counts, as long as it's a book for adults or young adults and you don't repeat (If a book takes place in multiple states, choose one, or save it for the bonus).

Each person who completes this challenge and turns in their log sheet by December 31, 2026, will be rewarded with a book of their choice from the book prize cart and will be entered into a drawing for a larger prize!

Log sheets are available at the Circulation Desk.

Read the Regions for America250

?To celebrate America's Semiquincentennial (that's the 250th anniversary), your task is to read a book set in each of the 10 regions of the U.S.A. Any book that's set (even partially) in a region counts, as long as it's a book for adults and you don't repeat (if a book takes place in multiple regions, choose one, or save it for the bonus).

Each reader who completes this challenge and turns in the log sheet by December 31, 2026, will be rewarded with a book of their choice from the book prize cart and will be entered into a drawing for a larger prize.

Log sheets with specific information are available at the circulation desk in the library.

Patriotic Prompts for America250

?To celebrate America's Semiquincentennial (that's the 250th anniversary), just read a book that fits each of the 26 prompts on the log sheet. As long as your books are for adults or young adults and you don't repeat during the year, the choices are yours!

Each reader who completes the challenge and turns in their log sheet by December 31, 2026, will be rewarded with a prize from the book cart and entered into a drawing for a special prize!

Log sheets with specific prompts are available at the Circulation Desk in the library.

2026 Winter Olympic Reading Challenge

?January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026

This challenge features 24 different Olympics-related prompts and can be completed at the Bronze Tier (8 prompts), Silver Tier (16 prompts), or Gold Tier (all 24 prompts). The prompts are inspired by a variety of winter sports (with bookish twists, of course), but the books you choose do not have to be sport-related. Books read can be about any genre or topic but need to be chosen from adult or young adult books and cannot be repeated.

When you have chosen your level and completed that challenge, bring the log sheet to the front desk at the library.

Bronze-Tier readers will be rewarded with a book of their choice from the Book Prize Cart. Silver-Tier readers will be rewarded with a prize cart book plus a tote bag. Gold-Tier readers will be rewarded with a prize cart book, a tote bag, plus a surprise. All prizes are available only as long as supplies last.

Log sheets can be picked up at the Circulation Desk in the Library.

How does 1000 Books work?

· Register Online Here – Parents you can create an account first to easily monitor your children's activity.

· Track Your Reading – Log every book you read with your child here!

· Keep Reading! – Prepare your child for kindergarten by reaching 1,000 books before they enter kindergarten.

Put reading first, with 20 minutes a day spent reading to your children.
Make it fun and exciting. Be imaginative.

If you read just 1 book a day, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years, and 1,095 books in just three years!

Need more information?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page!