Reading Challenges

We offer reading challenges designed to encourage reading and make it fun!

Our reading challenges allow families and readers of all ages to log and read books for prizes and badges. You will log your reading through Beanstack, our free online service that offers book and activity logging, recommendations, and book reviews.

We have offered a variety of themed challenges on Beanstack from Hispanic Heritage to poetry to sustainability. And yes, the prizes are cool. But what we’re really trying to do is create lifelong readers. People read more often when they have the chance to choose what they read. It is especially important for children who are just discovering their life’s passions.

Asian Heritage 2024

Celebrate Asian authors and those with Asian heritage by participating in our reading challenge throughout the month of April. You’ll have the opportunity to read a book from our carefully curated adult and teen lists representing authors from multiple Asian identities, whether from continental Asia, the Pacific Islands, or Asian descent. One book is all it takes to complete the challenge. Prizes will be awarded to all finishers.

Badges & Books

If you had fun meeting Walter and the friendly Carpentersville Police Officers at our special storytimes, then you will love to earn your own badges when you read books! Read for one hour to earn a badge. When you've earned all four badges, you will win a prize! Sign up and start reading. Walter can’t wait to hear about your favorite stories at our next meeting of Badges & Books!

1001 Books Before Kindergarten

Read together and track the number of books you share. Repetition is great for learning, so feel free to read the same title again and again! Complete milestones to earn badges and check in at the library to receive prizes. When you reach 1001 books you will receive an invitation to our annual graduation party.

Beanstack

Beanstack is a free online service that offers an innovative new way to connect children and their families with books and educational reading activities that match each person’s interests, ages and reading level. It also includes book and activity logging, badges and registration for all members of the family under one account.

Available 24/7 through your computer or mobile device (link to app download page). We are happy to walk you through setting up Beanstack on your device. Stop by the library at your convenience, or make a One-On-One Technology appointment.