Book Adventures

Idaho Teen Reading Challenge

October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027

Teens, ages 12-18, are invited to participate in this year’s Teen Reading Challenge, a statewide program from the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

In order to complete the challenge, you must read 8 books in 10 different categories between October 2025 and April 2026. You can choose from the following categories:

• Read a book that has a Two-Word Title.
• Read a book in a New Format – like an audio book or graphic novel.
• Read a book from a Library Display (digital displays count!).
• Read a book with a Multicolored Cover.
• Read a Science Fiction book.
• Read a book Recommended by a Teacher.
• Read a book that Features the Outdoors.
• Read a book Before You Stream (a book that was made into a movie – or one that will be!).
• Read a book of Poetry or a Novel in Verse.
• Free Choice: read whatever you want!

Tracking Progress

Track your challenge progress on the Beanstack website or app. There are also paper tracking sheets, reading journals, and bookmarks available for pick-up at the Madison Library Children's Reference Desk, the Madison High School Library, and the Madison Jr. High Library.

Prizes

Visit the Madison Library District Children's Reference Desk after each book read for the challenge to receive a small prize! If you can't make it to the library, prizes will also be given out during the visiting librarian days at your school library.

We will also have a prize drawing at the end of the challenge for a $30 gift card for any teens who have read 8 books. The drawing will be held May 1, 2027.

Teens must be registered to win prizes in the drawings. If you are tracking the challenge on paper outside of Beanstack, please make sure to register with a librarian at the Madison Library District, Madison Jr. High Library, or Madison High School Library to have your progress entered for a chance to win!

Digital Badge Art Contest

Entries due November 30, 2026
How to participate: Pick an ITRC category (or categories) and create a digital badge representing that category. You can draw, paint, sketch, or design it digitally. Your badge should look good when printed small (like on a sticker or button)—so, it probably should not be extremely detailed or “busy.” There will be one winner per category. The winning badges will be shared with libraries statewide!

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

A GREAT WAY TO BOND WITH YOUR CHILD AS WELL AS PROMOTE READING!

The Concept is Simple, the Rewards are Priceless!

The key is perseverance. Make it exciting.  Are you ready to get started?

Here’s how it works:

• Pick up a tracking log at the library's Circulation Desk.
• Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler.
• Fill out a circle for each book you read. Each tracker has 100 circles.
• Once your log is completed, come get a sticker or a small book from the library.
• When you have completed 10 sheets, you've read 1000 books!

The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started).