Summer Reading Challenge

Tails and Tales

June 21 through August 29

This year's Summer Reading Challenge, Tails and Tales, encourages youth and families to explore the great outdoors and learn the tales and stories of animals all over the world. Children of all ages can join the challenge and earn points by reading books, completing fun activities, and attending virtual programs all summer long. Earn 20 points to win a prize and to be entered into your branch prize drawing for a chance to win additional prizes.

Be sure to check our family programs. See live animals and hear amazing "tales" with EcoAdventures, enjoy interactive performances with Bright Star Theater featuring Aesop's Fables, The Velveteen Rabbit, and Beauty and the Beast, and be amazed with "Abraca-Animal" magical tricks by Mike Rose.

Register and Play

There are two ways to play.

Play Online with Beanstack

This interactive game board tracks your activity to earn badges for points and a chance to win prizes in weekly giveaways.

Complete a Paper Game Board

Summer Reading Challenge game boards are available inside branches or via curbside pickup, in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF).

Prizes and Drawings

Completion Prizes Image of summer reading challenge prizes

Complete the challenge by earning 20 points on Beanstack or paper to win a book of your choice.

Animal squishy ball
Kite
Library sling pack book bag

Visit any branch by Sunday, August 29, to pick up your completion prize. If you played on a paper game board, bring your completed game board with you.

End of Summer Prize Drawing

Any youth that completes their game board on Beanstack or completes and returns their game board in branch by Sunday, August 29, will be entered into a branch prize drawing to win additional prizes. Readers must provide a valid email address or phone number upon registering in Beanstack or when showing a completed game board in branch.

Tails and Tales T-Shirts

Your commemorative Summer Reading Challenge T-shirt is available for purchase in branches while supplies last. Proceeds benefit the Summer Reading Challenge. The cost is $7.50 for kids and $8.75 for adults (tax included). This year only—purchase one 2021 shirt and get one 2020 Imagine Your Story shirt for only $1!