Summer Reading Challenge

Summer Reading Challenge 2025 – ‘Reading Rocks’

For ages 0-12 years
5 December 2024 – 23 January 2025

The Summer Reading Challenge is a free program run by Hornsby Shire Libraries designed to encourage children to read and explore the amazing world of books over the Summer school holidays. Children are encouraged to log their reading to win small prizes and a chance to win one of three $50 book vouchers.

Celebrate at our Launch Party

Participants can join us for the Summer Reading Challenge Launch at Hornsby Library on Thursday 5 December. Join us for an afternoon of party games, craft and prizes! Every child who attends receives a ‘Reading Rocks’ starter’s pack.

How do I win?

Each week we ask you to read three books (or be read to) and enter these into Beanstack or your printed logbook, to receive a badge. After 2 badges, win a small prize of your choice. Keep reading and win more prizes after earning your 4^th badge and 6^th badge.

Everyone who participates and earns at least one badge will also go into the Major Prize Draw to win one of three $50 Book Vouchers!

Beanstack

• Visit the Beanstack website here or download the Beanstack app from the Apple App store or Google Play Store.
• Create an account using a child’s library card details, name, preferred library branch, phone number and email address. We recommend that a parent/carer creates an account first, then adds their child/children to their family account. This gives parents/carers the ability to oversee the account and help their child log their reading.
• Collect your free Summer Reading Challenge bookmark and pool pass from your local library branch.
• Log your reading at least 3 days in the week to automatically earn your badge and an entry into the major prize draw. An email will be sent confirming your entry. Remember the more badges you earn, the more times you can enter.

Printed logbook

• When you have completed your reading for the week, bring your logbook to the library where you will receive your sticker badge and then complete your entry form to go into the major prize draw. Remember the more badges you earn, the more times you can enter.
• Your Reading Log must be signed by a parent or carer each week after you have completed the reading.

The Fine Print:

• Participants must have their own library membership.
• Participants must read or be read to at least three times a week during the program to earn a badge. You can read 3 individual books or, if reading a longer book, this can be logged multiple times.
• To win prizes, the participant’s card must be used on or after the launch on Thursday 5 December 2024.
• The books you read should be at your reading level.
• 80% of the books you read must be borrowed from Hornsby Shire Libraries on your library card.
• Get your entries in before the end of the day on Thursday each week to earn your badge and get your entry in for the major prize draw. The more badges you earn, the more times you can enter.
• You must obtain at least 3 badges to qualify for your Certificate and to attend the End of Summer Reading Challenge Party with Bop till you Drop on Thursday 23 January 2025.
• Collect prizes by Friday 7 February 2025.

Adult Summer Reads Challenge

For adults and teens aged 12 years +
5 December 2024 – 23 January 2025

This Summer, Hornsby Shire Libraries are encouraging all adults and teens to read and are challenging you to read in 12 different categories for a chance to win one of ten $30 book vouchers.

How do I win?

Read a book from any of the categories listed below, for your chance to win –

• Fiction
• Non-fiction
• A book set on a beach
• A book with a theme of music
• Published in 2024
• Biography
• A book from a genre you don’t normally read
• A book set in a different time or place
• A book with a yellow cover
• A book from our Quick Choice ‘Wellbeing’ collection
• A book from Hornsby’s e-library
• The indyreads Summer Book Club title - Smoke by Michael Brissenden

Complete your reading challenge online, via Beanstack or complete a paper form and return it to the library to enter the prize draw. You’ll get one chance to win for every book you read.

Beanstack

• Visit the Beanstack website here or download the Beanstack app from the Apple App store or Google Play Store.
• Create an account using your library card details, preferred library branch and information.
• Enter a book read for each category to earn badges. Each badge will be counted as one entry into the competition.

Printed entry form

• Pick up a paper entry form from any Hornsby Shire Libraries branch.
• Complete the form including your details at the back of the form. Once completed, hand in the form to library staff.

The fine print

• Participants must have their own library membership.
• Prize winners must be able to collect their prize in person at the Hornsby Shire Library of their choice within 4 weeks of being contacted.
• The books read do not have to be borrowed from Hornsby Shire Libraries.