I run one every year - for about 7 years now.  It's called the 20 Book Reading Challenge.  We include teachers as well.  We started with about 60 kids signed up my first year, and now we are just over 300.  I can give you more details if you want - but, here are a few:

1 - I keep a master log, name, email address, and months from September through June (I use Google Sheets)

2 - I have a Canvas course just for the challenge

3 - kids have to come see me when they finish a book to "log it in" - they come with book in hand (or pic on phone if they used ebook/audio), take a pic for our visual display in the LMC (helps them keep track of how many), and then they pick a random question out of a jar.  With permission, I post to Instagram as well

4 - for every book read in a month, names go into a giant container and we pick winners at the end of each month (free books, gift cards, etc.)

5 - for each student who gets to 20 by June 2nd, they are entered into our grand prize drawing

6 - new this year, we have added monthly themed challenges (November is non-fiction, etc.)

This took years to develop and grow, and I even went out to English classes to hype it and further grow it.  I also have a 9th grade library orientation with English department, so plug and hype it there as well.  Some people say, this sounds like a lot of work - but it's such a great way for me to get to know kids, book talk, make recommendations, get recommendations, and grow a strong reading community.

Jen Larkin

E.O. Smith High School

On Fri, Sep 13, 2024 at 7:50 AM Thomas Andronowitz <TAndronowitz@thomastonschools.org> wrote:

Seeking ideas for running a successful reading challenge for this school year - Grades 7-12.  

All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

--

Thomas J. Andronowitz
Library Media Specialist

Thomaston High School

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