Children’s Summer Reading 2026
Children’s Summer Reading 2026
An exciting program for kids to deepen and celebrate their love of reading and to maintain their reading skills over the long school break!
All ages are welcome to participate, including kids who are not yet reading because being read to always counts.
Reading also includes listening to an audiobook.
How it works
Summer Reading sign up begins Monday, June 15. Participants come to the library to receive a paper reading log. Children will receive either the Pre-K reading log or the Kindergarten-5th grade log. 5th graders can choose between the Children’s Reading Log or the Teen Reading Log. Check out the differences in prizes and bonus activities to decide which program works for you!
- Win-a-Book-Bingo: Children can complete 5 activities in a row then come to the library to choose a FREE BOOK as a prize. You can win Bingo up to 2x for a total of 2 FREE BOOKS. Activities include Read Outside, Make a Recipe from a Cookbook, Borrow an Adventure Pass, Attend a Library Program, and more!
- Reading Tracker: Children will log the number of days they read, or are read to, over the summer. Earn TWO tickets for each week that you read AT LEAST 4 days. The program runs for 8 weeks but participants can claim tickets until August 14. Tickets give you a chance to win weekly prizes or one of four end-of-summer baskets.
- StoryWalk Secret Codes: Earn a bookmark each month by visiting the StoryWalk (located at the far end of the parking lot) and writing down the secret code.
We recommend stopping in throughout the summer to claim tickets. The LAST day to claim tickets and a free book is Friday, August 14.
Prize drawings for the baskets will be held on Monday, August 17. Winners will be notified by email.
Important Dates
- June 15 Pre-registration opens
- June 22 Summer Reading Program officially begins – Start tracking your reading!
- August 9 Last day to log reading
- August 14 Last day to claim drawing tickets or a book prize
- August 17 Prize Drawings (winners notified by email)
All ages are welcome to participate, including kids who are not yet reading because being read to always counts!
Reading also includes listening to an audiobook.
Prize Drawing Information
- Children earn 2 drawing tickets for each week that they read AT LEAST 4 days. We recommend stopping in throughout the summer to claim tickets.
- Children enter a ticket into the drawing box for the end-of-summer prize basket or weekly prize they hope to win. The more tickets a child earns, the better chance they have of winning a basket. Children can add their tickets to a single drawing box or spread their tickets across the boxes, whichever they prefer.
- The last day to claim any tickets and enter them into a drawing box is Friday, August 14.
- Drawings for the prize baskets will be held on Monday, August 17. Winners will be notified by email that same day.
Summer Reading 2026 Video
Hopkinton Public School Reading Lists
The school librarians from Marathon, Elmwood and Hopkins have created suggested summer reading lists. Visit the Children’s Room at the library to browse the suggestions or ask a librarian for book recommendations.
Children are encouraged to read anything they find fun, entertaining, and enjoyable. Remember, during the Summer Reading program any reading counts! Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, Playways, e-books, magazines, and more are all fabulous ways to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
All ages are invited to sign up by coming to the library to receive a paper log. Participants will enter their name, age, and email address into a simple registration form. Then a librarian will provide a paper log based on your age group (Pre-K, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Teen, Adult)
I’m a 5th grader. Do I pick the Children’s log or the Teen log?
5th graders can choose between the Children’s Reading Log or the Teen Reading Log. Check out the differences in prizes and bonus activities to decide which program works for you! You won’t be able to change your log once you choose.
Can I sign up online?
No, sign up is only available in person at the Hopkinton Public Library.
Are there any fun activities for kids?
Yes! Check our online event calendar for our regular programming schedule as well as summer special events.
What should my child read?
Anything they want! Children are encouraged to read anything they find fun, entertaining, and enjoyable.
The school librarians from Marathon, Elmwood and Hopkins have created suggested summer reading lists. Visit the Children’s Room at the library to browse the suggestions or ask a librarian for book recommendations.
Remember, during the Summer Reading program any reading counts! Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, Playways, e-books, magazines, and more are all fabulous ways to read.
How long should my child read or be read to?
How much reading takes place is entirely up to children and their caregivers to decide. We encourage children to build consistent reading habits rather than reading for a required amount of time each day. Children are also more likely to become regular readers when they are supported to read the kinds of books that they find entertaining and enjoyable. If you or your child would like book recommendations please ask a librarian for assistance!
What if my child is not yet reading?
Pre-readers or beginning readers are welcome to participate in the summer reading program by being read to by a caregiver. If your child is learning how to read we recommend visiting Aisle 11 in the Children’s Room where you will find excellent titles to support beginning readers.
Is there an online version of the program?
No, the Hopkinton Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is paper based only.
How many tickets can my child earn each week?
Children earn 2 drawing tickets for each week that they read AT LEAST 4 days.
How can my child win a free book?
Children win a free book by completing 5 activities in a row on our Win-a-Book Bingo sheet. Limit is 2 books per Bingo sheet.
How will I know if my child is a drawing basket winner?
Winners of the prize baskets will be notified by email on Monday, August 17.
Contact Us!
Use the button below to access the staff directory or call 508-497-9777