Children’s reading can “dip” during the summer holidays. The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge helps by getting over 700,000 children regularly into libraries over the summer. In Milton Keynes we had nearly 3,000 children join the challenge in 2024 to maintain their reading skills and confidence during the summer break. 

Because everything changes when we read.

We want to encourage as many children as possible to read or have help reading six library books over the summer holidays to complete the challenge.

Last summer we were excited to introduce the Summer Reading Challenge 2024, Marvellous Makers  - a celebration of the creative arts with children participating in any way that best suits them. The challenge was developed in partnership with the charity CREATE. The 2024 challenge was designed to showcase how reading can be engaging and lead to all kinds of creativity. Along the way there were stickers and treats to collect and when the challenge was completed, the children received a certificate and a medal. There is also a dedicated website with online activities and fun for everyone.

The Summer Reading Challenge is FREE to join and simple to sign up for at any of the Milton Keynes Libraries during staffed hours. The challenge begins in July each year and ends in early September.

With thousands of great books waiting to be read at the local library there is no excuse for boredom during the long summer break.