Teen summer reading challenge

Illustration of a person entering a forest and beckoning the viewer to follower

Artwork by Ruohan (Amelie) Shen

Summer kickoff party

Join us in the Teen Room on the 2nd floor of the library to kick summer off with sushi & pizza, games, crafts and prizes. Tuesday, June 2 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. Registration is required.

2026 Teen Summer Reading Challenge: Into the Woods

The theme of this year's teen summer reading challenge is Into the Woods. Time to get outside, explore, and connect with friends, nature, and community. Enjoy nature on the North Shore, or wherever your travels take you!

Winning prizes: Stickers, snacks, books and gift cards!

Complete as many challenges (see below) as you like, and win prizes as you go. Submit your challenges via the form (coming soon!) or by bringing your reading passport to the 2nd-floor desk at the library.

For every challenge you complete, you get to pick a sticker or snack prize and you will be entered in the weekly draw to win a $25 gift card to a local bookstore. All entries will be included in the grand prize draw for a $75 gift card to a local bookstore. Claim your prizes anytime from June 29 to Sept. 4.

When you have completed nine challenges, email teens@nvcl.ca to win a book!

Optional! To earn an extra prize draw entry, share proof of having completed a challenge. For example, this could be a photo of you with your painted rock, a sunrise or picnic, etc. You can do this by either:

Visiting the 2nd floor desk at City Library and showing proof to the staff member that you completed the challenge. You'll also need to give the staff member your email address.
Sending an email to teens@nvcl.ca.

We challenge you to keep up your reading streak! Earn an extra slip in the grand prize draw if you do at least one challenge a week from June 29 to Sept. 4.

Reading challenges (can be completed in any order)

Reread your roots — the books from our past that mean the most to you.

Read a book with a map in it.

Find a stump, count the rings … then read that many pages in a book!

Read a fairy tale, or an adaptation of one.

Read a Teen Summer Writing Contest short story.

Read a book about someone who is on an adventure, or lost or stranded.

Read a fiction or nonfiction book set in nature.

Read a fiction or nonfiction book by an Indigenous author.

Make a fairy garden or paint rocks.

Go on a reading picnic with friends.

Go on a hike.

Watch a sunrise or sunset.

Look through a cookbook or recipe and make something.

Pick up trash in a park or along the beach.

Make a bookmark with a nature theme.

Teen verified book recommendations

During summer reading challenge, you can also share your favourite books! Each book you recommend will receive a “teen verified sticker” and will be added to our “teen verified” booklist. Your review will be printed and added to the inside cover of the book, and you will be entered into the weekly prize draw for every review you submit.

Submit a review!