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summer reading 2026 logo

Summer Reading Challenge

Unearth A Story

June 6 through August 29

Dig up a world of adventure this summer with this year's Summer Reading Challenge, "Unearth A Story." Children of all ages are invited to join the fun and track their reading on Beanstack or a paper game board. Read for 10 hours to earn a completion prize and be entered into exciting prize drawings!

Register and Play  

There are two ways to play. 

Track Online with Beanstack 

Track your reading online by downloading the Beanstack app to your phone. Begin earning points on Saturday, June 6.

Track With a Paper Game Board

Summer Reading Challenge game boards will be available at branches and online beginning Saturday, June 6. 

Kickoff Event

Saturday, June 6 
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Arbutus Branch 

A fun day of entertainment including face painting, balloon animals, live music and giveaways. Pick up a game board so you can have fun all summer long. 

summer reading 2026 prizes

Completion Prizes  

Complete the challenge by reading for 10 hours and logging your reading on Beanstack or a paper game board. 

  • Fizzy Mystery Dinosaur Egg
  • Fidget Dinosaur

Visit any branch by Saturday, August 29 to pick up your completion prize. Supplies are limited, first-come, first-served. If you played on a paper game board, bring your completed game board with you.  

Prize Drawing 

National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center logos

Complete the Summer Reading Challenge, get a completion prize and enter the prize drawing for a chance to win:

  • One-Year Family Membership to National Aquarium
  • One-Year Family Membership to Maryland Science Center

Prize drawings take place on Wednesday, September 2. Winners are contacted by phone or email by Wednesday, September 9 to pick up their prize at their local branch. Please be sure to provide an email address or phone number when registering on Beanstack.

Unearth A Story T-Shirts  

summer reading t-shirt 2026

Your commemorative Summer Reading Challenge T-shirt is available for purchase in branches beginning Saturday, June 6, while supplies last. Proceeds benefit the Summer Reading Challenge. The cost is $7.50 for kids and $8.75 for adults (tax included).

 

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