Find out about how to get involved in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026
The national Summer Reading Challenge takes place in all Brighton & Hove Libraries from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 13 September.
This year’s theme, Read to the Beat!, celebrates the joy of music and the power it has to move, inspire, and connect us – all through the magic of reading. This year’s Challenge is brought to life with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator, Harry Woodgate.
The challenge is aimed for children aged 4 to 11 years.
Each child can set themselves a reading goal for the summer - usually to read 6 books, with or without the support of a family member or carer. Children receive a Read to the Beat booklet when they join the challenge and stickers to add to their booklet each time they read a book. If a child achieves their reading goal and completes the challenge, they will receive a certificate.
Children can read any book of their choosing, in any format. Audiobooks, ebooks, picture books and comics all count towards the challenge.
You can borrow ebooks and audiobooks through BorrowBox. You can find games, activities and competitions and collect digital rewards.
If you have dyslexia or a visual impairment, some books in our libraries are available in different or larger fonts and with pages in different colour to facilitate reading.
We also have a selection of dual language books and books in other languages.
If you can’t find a book in a format or language you want to read, ask a member of staff for help.
If you want some inspiration, go to the Summer Reading Challenge website
You can sign up for the challenge in any of our libraries during staffed hours and get your Read to the Beat booklet. You can also find out more and join the challenge online.
The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries.