Lexington, MA

2024 Children's Summer Challenge

Kids' Summer is for Fun!

Summer Reading Challenge

Set your own reading goal! Read at least 20 minutes a day to reach a goal of 24 hours or read for an hour and a half every day to read over 100 hours. Think about what makes sense for you and set your target anywhere in between or beyond!

Time spent reading in any format and in any language you can understand will count towards your goal. Picture books, chapter books, comics, magazines, audiobooks, e-books, fiction or nonfiction, it’s all reading!

You may track your progress on Beanstack or download a paper Reading Log [PDF] to track offline.

Summer Challenge Bingo

Have fun and stay active all summer long by completing activity challenges exploring art, science, math, creative expression, and more!

Ages 0-2 Summer Challenge Bingo [PDF] 

Ages 3-5 Summer Challenge Bingo [PDF]

Grades K-5 Summer Challenge Bingo [PDF]

Beanstack

Beanstack is the online tracker we use for reading and learning challenges here at Cary Library, and you’ll find it at carylibrary.beanstack.org.

If you’ve ever participated in a summer challenge or 1000 Books Before Kindergarten at Cary Library, you already have a Beanstack account! Be sure to update everyone’s grades and ages, and then enroll your readers in the summer challenge. Not sure? Click “Sign In” and “Forgot Your Username?” or contact the library to avoid creating a duplicate account.

Summer Reading Challenge: Early Readers & Picture Books

Download a full list of Summer Reading Challenge: Early Readers & Picture Books [PDF] or browse the librarian's picks below.

ISBN: 9780670016310
Title: Don't throw it to Mo!
Author: Adler, David A., author.
Don't throw it to Mo!
ISBN: 9781666393880
Title: Ali the Great and the dinosaur mistake
Author: Faruqi, Saadia, author.
Ali the Great and the dinosaur mistake cover
ISBN: 9781684360222
Title: Meet Yasmin!
Author: Faruqi, Saadia, author.
Meet Yasmin! cover
ISBN: 9780063076648
Title: Fish and Sun
Author: Ruzzier, Sergio, 1966- author, illustrator.
Fish and Sun
ISBN: 9781665918947
Title: Nat the cat takes a bath
Author: Lerner, Jarrett, author, illustrator.
Nat the cat takes a bath cover
ISBN: 9781536204278
Title: See the cat : three stories about a dog
Author: LaRochelle, David, author.
See the cat cover
ISBN: 9781338794595
Title: The sunken ship
Author: Lukoff, Kyle, author.
The sunken ship cover
ISBN: 9781481467964
Title: See Otto
Author: Milgrim, David, author, illustrator.
See Otto
ISBN: 9780823435661
Title: Noodlehead nightmares
Author: Arnold, Tedd, author, illustrator.
Noodlehead nightmares cover
ISBN: 9781665920001
Title: Worm and Caterpillar are friends
Author: Windness, Kaz, 1974- author, illustrator.
Worm and Caterpillar are friends cover
ISBN: 9780063003958
Title: Mr. S
Author: Arnaldo, Monica, author, illustrator.
Mr. S cover
ISBN: 1250317177
Title: Evergreen
Author: Cordell, Matthew, 1975-
Evergreen cover
ISBN: 9780316310628
Title: Knight Owl
Author: Denise, Christopher, author.
Knight Owl cover
ISBN: 9780316353229
Title: Big
Author: Harrison, Vashti, author, illustrator.
Big cover
ISBN: 9781250820587
Title: The truth about dragons
Author: Leung, Julie, author.
The truth about dragons cover
ISBN: 9781797207940
Title: Oh no, the aunts are here
Author: Rex, Adam, author.
Oh no, the aunts are here cover
ISBN: 9781419749605
Title: Sallie Bee writes a thank-you note
Author: Sheinmel, Courtney, author.
Sallie Bee writes a thank-you note cover
ISBN: 9780525580874
Title: The artist
Author: Vere, Ed, author, illustrator.
The artist cover
ISBN: 1536219762
Title: I'm a unicorn
Author: Yoon, Helen, author, illustrator.
I'm a unicorn cover

Summer Reading Challenge: Early Chapter Books

Download a full list of Summer Reading Challenge: Early Chapter Books [PDF] or browse the librarian's picks below.

ISBN: 9781338318531
Title: Beneath the bed and other scary stories
Author: Brallier, Max, author.
Beneath the bed and other scary stories cover
ISBN: 9781524766719
Title: Our friend hedgehog : the story of us
Author: Castillo, Lauren, author, illustrator.
Our friend hedgehog : the story of us cover
ISBN: 9781442496767
Title: The Chicken Squad
Author: Cronin, Doreen, author.
The Chicken Squad cover
ISBN: 9780593488874
Title: The ghost tree
Author: Deen, Natasha, author.
The ghost tree cover
ISBN: 0763622702
Title: Mercy Watson to the rescue
Author: DiCamillo, Kate.
Mercy Watson to the rescue cover
ISBN: 9780593111529
Title: J. D. and the great barber battle
Author: Dillard, J., author.
J. D. and the great barber battle cover
ISBN: 9780593122983
Title: How to test a friendship
Author: Griffith, Theanne, author.
How to test a friendship cover
ISBN: 9780763665104
Title: The Princess in Black
Author: Hale, Shannon, author.
The Princess in Black cover
ISBN: 9781484679432
Title: Project Earth
Author: Kim, Carol, author.
Project Earth cover
ISBN: 9780544225275
Title: Gooney Bird Greene
Author: Lowry, Lois, author.
Gooney Bird Greene cover
ISBN: 1338217364
Title: Stealing the sword
Author: Mass, Wendy, 1967- author.
Stealing the sword cover
ISBN: 9780062981172
Title: Pea, Bee, & Jay. 1, Stuck together
Author: Smith, Brian (Comic book writer), author, illustrator.
Pea, Bee, & Jay. 1, Stuck together cover
ISBN: 9781797213231
Title: The story of Gumluck the Wizard
Author: Rex, Adam, author, illustrator.
The story of Gumluck the Wizard cover
ISBN: 9781338799613
Title: Awesome orange birthday
Author: Ruths, Mitali Banerjee, author.
Awesome orange birthday cover
ISBN: 9780545556170
Title: Meet the Bigfeet
Author: Sherry, Kevin, author, illustrator.
Meet the Bigfeet cover
ISBN: 9781338756340
Title: My kingdom of darkness
Author: Tan, Susan, author.
My kingdom of darkness cover
ISBN: 9781773217154
Title: The secret of the jade bangle
Author: Trinh, Linda, author.
The secret of the jade bangle cover
ISBN: 9781773217208
Title: The wolf suit
Author: Sharp, Sid, author, artist.
The wolf suit cover

Summer Reading Challenge: Nonfiction for Younger Readers

Download a full list of Summer Reading Challenge: Nonfiction for Younger Readers [PDF] or browse the librarian's picks below.

ISBN: 9780593523629
Title: When moon became the moon
Author: Hodgson, Rob, author, illustrator.
When moon became the moon cover
ISBN: 9781665903653
Title: Fungi grow
Author: Gianferrari, Maria, author.
Fungi grow cover
ISBN: 9780618375967
Title: Sisters & brothers : sibling relationships in the animal world
Author: Jenkins, Steve, 1952-2021
Sisters & brothers : sibling relationships in the animal world cover
ISBN: 9780593176573
Title: What's inside a caterpillar cocoon? : and other questions about moths & butterflies
Author: Ignotofsky, Rachel, 1989- author, illustrator.
What's inside a caterpillar cocoon cover
ISBN: 9780358458074
Title: The book of turtles
Author: Montgomery, Sy, author.
The book of turtles cover
ISBN: 9781452127835
Title: The elephants come home : a true story of seven elephants, two people, and one extraordinary friendship
Author: Tomsic, Kim, author.
The elephants come home cover
ISBN: 9781623542399
Title: Honeybee rescue : a Backyard drama
Author: Burns, Loree Griffin, author.
Honeybee rescue cover
ISBN: 9780593406472
Title: Contenders : two Native baseball players, one World Series
Author: Sorell, Traci, author.
Contenders cover
ISBN: 0062740326
Title: Rescuing the Declaration of Independence : how we almost lost the words that built America
Author: Redding, Anna Crowley, author.
Rescuing the Declaration of Independence cover
ISBN: 9780811879231
Title: Tomfoolery : Randolph Caldecott and the rambunctious coming-of-age of children's books
Author: Markel, Michelle, author.
Tomfoolery cover
ISBN: 9798822669260
Title: Sweet justice : Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Author: Rockliff, Mara, author.
ISBN: 9780593109694
Title: Listen : how Evelyn Glennie, a deaf girl, changed percussion
Author: Stocker, Shannon, author.
Listen cover
ISBN: 1943147302
Title: The girl who thought in pictures : the story of Dr. Temple Grandin
Author: Mosca, Julia Finley, author.
The girl who thought in pictures cover
ISBN: 9780062967404
Title: Going places : Victor Hugo Green and his glorious book
Author: Bolden, Tonya, author.
Going places cover
ISBN: 9780593563229
Title: Ice cream man : how Augustus Jackson made a sweet treat better
Author: Armand, Glenda, author.
Ice cream man cover
ISBN: 9780759554955
Title: The fearless flights of Hazel Ying Lee
Author: Leung, Julie, author.
The fearless flights of Hazel Ying Lee cover
ISBN: 9781524768287
Title: The oldest student : how Mary Walker learned to read
Author: Hubbard, Rita L., author.
The oldest student cover
ISBN: 9781644720578
Title: Revolutionary Prudence Wright : leading the Minute Women in the fight for independence
Author: Anderson, Beth, 1954- author.
Revolutionary Prudence Wright cover

Summer Reading Challenge: Middle Grade Chapter Books

Download a full list of Summer Reading Challenge: Middle Grade Chapter Books [PDF] or browse the librarian's picks below.

ISBN: 9780593624906
Title: The curse of Eelgrass Bog
Author: Averling, Mary, author.
The curse of Eelgrass Bog cover
ISBN: 9780063228610
Title: It's boba time for Pearl Li!
Author: Chen, Nicole, 1980- author.
It's boba time for Pearl Li! cover
ISBN: 9781250174949
Title: The Marvellers
Author: Clayton, Dhonielle, author.
The Marvellers cover
ISBN: 9781524764203
Title: The eyes & the impossible
Author: Eggers, Dave, author, illustrator.
The eyes & the impossible cover
ISBN: 9781534430686
Title: The story that cannot be told
Author: Kramer, J. Kasper, author.
The story that cannot be told cover
ISBN: 9780593533239
Title: The swifts : a dictionary of scoundrels
Author: Lincoln, Beth, author.
The swifts cove
ISBN: 9781536204957
Title: The last mapmaker
Author: Soontornvat, Christina, author.
The last mapmaker cover
ISBN: 9781338686463
Title: Sisters of the Lost Marsh
Author: Strange, Lucy, author.
Sisters of the Lost Marsh cover
ISBN: 9780063225138
Title: The Manifestor prophecy
Author: Thomas, Angie, author.
The Manifestor prophecy cover
ISBN: 9780374391379
Title: Greenwild : the world behind the door
Author: Thomson, Pari, author.
Greenwild cover
ISBN: 9780063113923
Title: A rover's story
Author: Warga, Jasmine, author.
A rover's story cover
ISBN: 0062881728
Title: Falling short
Author: Cisneros, Ernesto, author.
Falling short cover
ISBN: 9781984814500
Title: Starfish
Author: Fipps, Lisa, author.
Starfish cover
ISBN: 9780593462287
Title: Mexikid : a graphic memoir
Author: Martin, Pedro, 1967- author, artist.
Mexikid cover
ISBN: 9781639930999
Title: The wild journey of Juniper Berry
Author: Morris, Chad, author.
The wild journey of Juniper Berry cover
ISBN: 9781338795080
Title: Uprising
Author: Nielsen, Jennifer A., author.
Uprising cover
ISBN: 9780062987983
Title: Finding Junie Kim
Author: Oh, Ellen, author.
Finding Junie Kim cover
ISBN: 9780062275127
Title: The troubled girls of Dragomir Academy
Author: Ursu, Anne, author.
The troubled girls of Dragomir Academy cover

Summer Reading Challenge: Nonfiction for Older Readers

Download a full list of Summer Reading Challenge: Nonfiction for Older Readers [PDF] or browse the librarian's picks below.

ISBN: 9780593643846
Title: The Mona Lisa vanishes : a legendary painter, a shocking heist, and the birth of a global celebrity
Author: Day, Nick (Nicholas), author.
The Mona Lisa vanishes
ISBN: 9780759553996
Title: Where are the aliens? : the search for life beyond Earth
Author: McAnulty, Stacy, author.
Where are the aliens?
ISBN: 9780544818910
Title: Camp Panda : helping cubs return to the wild
Author: Thimmesh, Catherine, author.
Camp Panda
ISBN: 9780316486002
Title: Chinese menu : the history, myths, and legends behind your favorite foods
Author: Lin, Grace, author, illustrator.
Chinese menu cover
ISBN: 9780316383851
Title: Just Jerry : how drawing shaped my life : a memoir
Author: Pinkney, Jerry, author, illustrator.
Just Jerry cover
ISBN: 9781534460430
Title: Hardcourt : stories from 75 years of the National Basketball Association
Author: Bowen, Fred, author.
Hardcourt cover
ISBN: 9781536209457
Title: All thirteen : the incredible cave rescue of the Thai boys' soccer team
Author: Soontornvat, Christina, author.
All thirteen cover
ISBN: 9781430126904
Title: Echo, echo : reverso poems about Greek Myths
Author: Singer, Marilyn.
ISBN: 9780711262782
Title: Rescuing Titanic : a true story of quiet bravery in the North Atlantic
Author: Delargy, Flora, author, illustrator.
Rescuing Titanic cover
ISBN: 9781541598683
Title: Stars of the night : the courageous children of the Czech Kindertransport
Author: Stelson, Caren, 1951- author.
Stars of the night
ISBN: 9780063214484
Title: Harboring hope : the true story of how Henny Sinding helped Denmark's Jews escape the Nazis
Author: Hood, Susan, 1954- author.
Harboring hope cover
ISBN: 9781627795548
Title: Torpedoed : the true story of the World War II sinking of "The Children's Ship"
Author: Heiligman, Deborah, author.
Torpedoed cover
ISBN: 9781623541927
Title: We are still here! : Native American truths everyone should know
Author: Sorell, Traci, author.
We are still here! cover
ISBN: 9781613731147
Title: Big top burning : the story of an arsonist, a missing girl, and the greatest show on Earth
Author: Woollett, Laura A., author.
Big top burning cover
ISBN: 9781596439504
Title: Grand Canyon
Author: Chin, Jason, 1978- author.
Grand Canyon cover
ISBN: 9781536215540
Title: How do you spell unfair? : MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee
Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston, 1956- author.
How do you spell unfair cover
ISBN: 9781452172873
Title: The fire of stars : the life and brilliance of the woman who discovered what stars are made of
Author: Larson, Kirsten W., author.
The fire of stars
ISBN: 9781338283419
Title: Jovita wore pants : the story of a Mexican freedom fighter
Author: Salazar, Aida, author.
Jovita wore pants cover