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Reading Challenges

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Youth Reading Challenges

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Logo

1000 Books Before Kindergarten^®

Did you know that the best way to help your child get ready for success in school is to read aloud with them every day? Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, toddler and/or preschooler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten.

Learn More

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Summer Reading Challenge 2024

Summer Reading Challenge 2024: Adventure is Out There

May 25 - August 31

You are recruited to join our summer adventure reading team. Don't miss out on the summer fun.

More information coming in March

Summer Reading Challenge 2023: Take a Bite Out of Reading

June 5 - August 13

Join the Youth Summer Reading Challenge and Take a Bite Out of Reading. Stop by the Ask Me Desk to sign-up, pick up your reading log and start reading to win prizes.

Registration starts June 5

Last day to report is Saturday, August 19

Read and win:

The Youth Services Summer Reading Challenge is open to all children from birth through those going into 8th grade in the fall.

Kids at all reading levels - including those not yet reading on their own - are encouraged to join the challenge. You must register in person at the Ask Me Desk.

Earn prizes as you read and complete small goal. After you reach your final reading goal turn in your log to win a free Take a Bite Out of Reading t-shirt.

'Take a Bite Out of Reading' youth reading log

Important Dates:

Registration starts:
June 5

Kickoff Event:
Wednesday, June 7
at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Book Bites Storytime:
Mondays, June 12, July 17 & August 14
at 1:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.

Rainbow Lemonade:
Saturday, June 24
at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

DIY Ice Cream: Saturday, July 15
at 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Last day to claim prizes:
August 19

To Register:

Stop by the Ask Me Desk to register youth readers* from birth to 8th grade.
Fill out your contact information and set your reading goal (15, 30 or 60 minute reading session).
Color in the snow cone outline on your reading log to track your progress. You just completed the first step!

*If you have a reader high school age or older, head upstairs to sign them up at the Readers Advisory Desk.

Log Reading:

On your reading log, color in one frozen treat section for each reading session. The length of your reading session should match your reading goal (15, 30 or 60 minutes).
Read enough to color in the matching set of frozen treats, then claim a prize from the Ask Me Desk. Keep reading to claim each prize.
Complete your reading log to win a free Take a Bite Out Of Reading t-shirt!

Thank you to our sponsors:

We couldn't have done it with out the help of our sponsors. Special thanks to Friends of the Rolling Meadows Library for their continued support making reading prizes like the Take a Bite Out of Reading t-shirt possible.

T-shirt with a graphic showing a fudge popsicle with a bite gone and 'Take a Bite Out of Reading'

Brookfield Zoo - Chicago Zoological Society

If you need help registering for the Summer Reading Challenge or logging reading hours stop by or call the Ask Me Desk at 847-259-6065 x140.

Planning is in the works! Summer Reading Challenge 2024 will be announced around March 2024 so stay tuned!

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Winter Reading Challenge 2023-2024

December 1 - February 29

Choose a bird from our flock and we'll give you a reading game to do together!

Stop at the Ask Me Desk to register.

Get ready to read. Choose your Feathered reading partner:

Red, yellow and green tropical bird plushie

When you sign up you'll choose your bird and get a reading board game to share.

Bring your finished game board to the Ask Me Desk for a special reward. Keep playing to earn more prizes.

How many times will you play?

Reading Board Game and playing cards

The Summer Reading Challenge 2024 is in the works and will be announced March 2023 so stay tuned!

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Summer Reading Challenge 2023

A big thank you to all who participated in our 2023 Summer Reading Challenge Take a Bite Out of Reading.

It was a huge success! We loved celebrating everyone on June 7 at the Kickoff event with a DJ, sidewalk actvities, photo op, and ice cream truck.

This year we had 750 kids sign-up, a 72% increase from last year!

Thank you to our sponsors:

We couldn't have done it with out the help of our sponsors. Special thanks to Friends of the Rolling Meadows Library for their continued support making reading prizes like the Take a Bite Out of Reading t-shirt possible.

T-shirt with a graphic showing a fudge popsicle with a bite gone and 'Take a Bite Out of Reading'

Winter Reading Challenge 2023-24 will be announced December 2023 so stay tuned!

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Winter Reading Challenge 2022-2023

Winter Reading Challenge 2022: Snuggle up with Your Pup and Read

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Winter Reading Challenge: Snuggle Up with Your Pup and Read.

Over 270 kids gave a pup a loving home. We loved seeing so many kids back in the library.

Summer Reading Challenge 2023 will be announced March 2023 so stay tuned!

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Summer Reading Challenge 2022

Summer Reading Challenge 2022: Oceans of Possibilities

A big thank you to all who participated in our Summer Reading Challenge Oceans of Possibilities. It was a huge success! This year we had 435 kids sign-up and those kids read over 2,100 hours!

Thank you to our sponsor:

We couldn't have done it with out the help of The Friends of the Rolling Meadows Library. Thank you for sponsoring reading prizes like the Oceans of Possibilities t-shirt.

T-shirt with a graphic showing boat made out of books and Oceans of Possibilities

Winter Reading Challenge 2022-23 will be announced December 2022 so stay tuned!

New Features:

Youth (menu)