Who can participate?
Everyone! People of all ages are welcome to join our Summer Reading Challenge. Whether you are a newly-hatched reader or have been around since the late Triassic period, we want you to join us in reading all summer long!
How can you sign up?
To Unearth a Story this summer, all you have to do is:
- Talk to a library staff member and get help registering OR
- Register online on your own by using Beanstack, a reading software program that helps track minutes and challenges.
Create a free Beanstack account or sign in to your existing library account, then click the box to register for the Summer Reading Challenge. Pre-registration for the 2026 challenge begins on May 1, and you can start logging on May 21.
How can you track your reading progress?
Keep track of the minutes you spend reading this summer and earn prizes along the way. You can start logging for the summer reading challenge on May 21. There are two ways to track your minutes:
- Visit the library and ask a staff member for a paper log. Your paper log will help you imagine digging for fossils. Color in a shovel each time you read for 30 minutes. When you’ve colored a whole row and reached a new fossil, you win a prize! OR
- Visit the library’s Beanstack page to log your minutes. You can either go online or download the Beanstack app for your mobile device. Beanstack will let you know when you’ve reached a new prize level.
How can you win prizes?
Track the minutes you spend reading and earn prizes! Here are the prize levels:
| Age | 0 – 5 | 6 -18 | 19+ |
| Registration | Stars & Strikes 1 hour of free arcade play coupon OR Bib (ages 0-2) | Stars & Strikes 1 hour of free arcade play coupon | Vinyl sticker |
| Level 1 300 Minutes | Aurora Children’s Theater pass, Gwinnett Stripers Ticket, & Name on Wall of Readers | Aurora Children’s Theater ticket, Gwinnett Stripers ticket, & Name on Wall of Readers | Name on Wall of Readers |
| Level 2 600 Minutes | Dinosaur puzzle | Coupon for Raising Canes kid’s meal | |
| Level 3 900 Minutes | Dinosaur bath toy and one entry into grand prize drawing | Dinosaur pencil & one entry into grand prize drawing | One entry into grand prize drawing |
| Level 4 1200 Minutes | One book and a second entry into grand prize drawing | One book and a second entry into grand prize drawing | Second entry into grand prize drawing |
*All prizes are while supplies last.
GRAND PRIZES
You could win free tickets to see amazing dinosaur fossils at the Fernbank Museum, or meet fun living creatures at the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary. You could win dinosaur-themed prizes like Squishmallows, Legos, or even a metal detector.
MORE SUMMER FUN!
Be sure to collect all of our Summer brag tags this year! You can earn a weekly brag tag and one key ring to display them by visiting a library branch and checking out a book. Show a staff member your check-out receipt for that day, and you will get that week’s brag tag. (While supplies last.) Brag tags are limited in quantity, so try to collect all ten!
SPECIAL EVENTS!
All summer long, we are offering free events and activities for you to try. Check out our web calendar or pick up an event guide for details.
Here are just a few of the great things you can do this Summer:
Family Programs
MAGIC!
June 1 – June 6
Kick off summer reading with laugh-out-loud jokes and amazing magic tricks!
DINOSAURS!
June 22 – June 29
Prehistoric Nation will come to each branch to teach us about dinosaurs!
PUPPETS!
July 16 – July 22
Enjoy our puppet show, with dinosaur-themed stories based on books!
A huge thank you to our Sponsors
