Looking for a way to motivate your kiddos to pick up a few books while they’re off on summer break?
Summer reading programs offer a great way to nurture a growing love for reading in children, fostering responsibility and accountability, and even reward adult readers for meeting reading goals. Joining one with friends will keep you and your family engaged throughout the season.
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Several local libraries across the Ann Arbor area host summer reading programs, which provide opportunities for kids and adults alike to earn prizes for reading over the summer.
The Collaborative Summer Library Program has chosen this year’s theme: “Unearth A Story”, highlighting dinosaurs, paleontology and archeology. Here is a roundup of this year’s local summer reading programs:
Public Library Summer Reading Programs
Ann Arbor District Library Summer Game
The 2026 AADL summer game is an exciting, unique challenge in which readers must find codes, solve puzzles and attend city-wide events to earn points and badges. Past summer game events include mixers, Summer Game Spectacular, Summer Game Skate and Game Over Gala! Readers must read or listen to at least 10 books and fill out the reading card by August 30 to qualify for cool prizes. Start with the Go! Badge and check back weekly for new badges.
Dates: June 9-August 30, 2026
Prizes: Library merchandise, including t-shirts, plush animals, game boards, bags and calendars.
Chelsea District Library Summer Reading Program
This classic reading program offers the chance to earn tickets for the grand prize drawings by logging books and completing activity badges. Here is an online tutorial on how to log reading and badges in Beanstack, the library’s online system.
Dates: June 5- July 22, 2026
Prizes: Tickets for grand prize drawings and milestone prizes such as a book. Grand Prizes include tickets to Rolling Hills Water Park, martial arts lessons, local Chelsea goodies, snack packs, $100 Target gift card and more.
Dexter District Library Summer Reading Program
Children and Teens of all ages can participate in this local reading challenge to earn prizes. Children collect reading log beads to build a lanyard reading log. Teens track the number of hours spent reading to earn weekly prizes beginning June 22. The library will also host several events for children, teens and adults throughout the summer.
Dates: June 15-July 31, 2026
Prizes: Those who complete all 6 weeks of the program will receive a goody bag and be entered into the Final Prize Drawing on August 10.
Milan Public Library Summer READing Adventure: Read, Explore, and Discover
Readers of all ages can participate in this year’s “Unearth a Story” summer reading challenge to earn prizes. Special Events scheduled throughout the summer, include Wild Super Powers, Explore Extinct Animals, Art workshops and story reading groups. Adults can participate in various challenges to receive tickets for the Grand Prize Drawings. Check out their flyer here and register here.
Dates: June 5-August 22, 2026
Prizes: Grand Prize Drawings include gift cards to local businesses and bookstores.
Plymouth District Library Summer Reading Program
Readers of all ages can work on completing a game board, customized by age group. Special summer activity schedules for kids, teens and adults can be found on the website.
Dates: June 1-August 30, 2026
Prizes: Readers can earn weekly rewards and entries for monthly raffles.
Saline District Library Summer Reading Programs: Unearth A Story
Readers earn points for the number of minutes spent reading (1 minute=1point). Participants of the summer reading challenge can listen to or read a book, log reading on the Beanstack Tracker app or website, and earn brag tags for reaching specific milestones. They can also complete bingo boards, missions and write book reviews to earn points. The kids program is for ages 0-12, but there are programs for teens and adults, too. Register here.
Dates: June 8-July 31, 2026
Prizes: Free Books, Brag Tags, Raffle Tickets and Gift Cards to local businesses; Participants can redeem 750 points for a completion certificate and a bag of surprises.
Ypsilanti District Library Summer Challenge
Readers of all ages can read, tracking their reading progress, earn digital badges and chances to win themed prize baskets with goodies from local businesses.
Dates: June 6-August 23, 2026
Prizes: Readers under age 18 get a free book, adults can earn a themed gift bag. Kids can choose a small prize from treasure chests at the library after earning every 10 badges. Digital badges unlock the chance at earning the grand prize. Register here.
Bookstore Summer Reading Programs
Barnes & Noble
Readers in grades 1-6 can complete the B&N Summer Reading Journal to earn a special prize. The goal is to read and evaluate 8 books and pick up a sticker for each book review.
Dates: July 1-August 31
Prizes: A Free Book from the B&N Summer Reading List
Courageous Books
Readers can play the annual Summer Reading BINGO program at this independent Dexter bookstore. Bingo challenges include fun activities like reading a book published during the current year or a book by a Michigan author. Find more information here.
Dates: June 1-September 1, 2026
Prizes: Participants who submit a completed BINGO card can earn a raffle entry for a $200 gift card. Kids can also earn a free hat or t-shirt.
Literati Bookstore
The quintessential Ann Arbor favorite bookstore hosts the K-12 Summer Reading Program. Kids must log 10 books to earn a chance at winning a grand prize. Sign up here.
Dates: June 9-August 21, 2026
Prizes: Each completed entry=one entry to win a grand prize.
Schuler Books
Kids in grades 1-12 can join Schuler Books Summer Reading Club. This year’s theme is “Get Outside and Into A Book”. Parents can read aloud to non-readers, as long as they are going into Kindergarten or older. Sign up here and download the Summer Reading Club Kids Booklet to learn more.
Dates: May 31-August 31, 2026
Prizes: Up to three $5.00 Schuler Books Coupons – one for completing each of the three levels.
