Summertime Reading

Summertime Reading

Summertime Reading Challenge 2024 / 2025 winners

Thanks to everyone who entered the Summertime Reading Challenge this year. We had 1321 entries! See our list of prize winners.

It was a summer filled with stories, adventures, and endless imagination! 

Our Summertime Reading Challenge from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025 gave kids and teens the chance to win cool prizes.

They could complete the challenges in so many different ways - from writing a letter to a friend, to reading by torchlight, and so many more!

Find exciting reads, eBooks, audiobooks and magazines at our libraries to help you on your quest - Join the library!

How to enter

It's super easy! Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Grab your challenge card: Pick one up at your local library or download a copy
  2. Complete at least three challenges
  3. Submit your entry: Drop your challenge card into your local library or enter online.

Prizes

The prizes include:

  • $300 bike voucher
  • Vouchers from Scorpio Books
  • Orana Park family passes
  • Airforce Museum experience vouchers
  • Pool passes
  • and small prize bundles

Events

There will be plenty of free, fun Summertime Reading events running over the summer. Join us as we bring the magic of reading and storytelling to cool places like parks, pools, playgrounds, and your local library. Plus, keep an eye out for our library van - it might just pop up at your favourite hangouts.

Make sure you come along and join in on the fun!

Stories come to life at the library. Nau mai tauti mai.

Summertime Reading calendar

Summertime Reading events

No related upcoming events.

Featured

Join us for school holiday fun and learning

Join in our bookable programmes and free activities in the school holidays.

Summertime Reading nooks

Libraries are making reading nooks - cosy or cool places to do some Summertime Reading! This one is at New Brighton Library.

Since the ground shook - Exhibition

This exhibition commemorates the impact of the earthquakes and launches on the 10 year anniversary of the 22 February earthquake.

Information for Schools

Go in the draw to win prizes for your school! Write a letter to your favourite character and illustrate your own story.

Postcard and Posters

About the Summertime Reading Challenge

Limited-edition tote bag with Gavin Bishop artwork $20

Need to carry those lovely library books home? This limited-edition tote with artwork by Gavin Bishop is available at your local library.

What your kid's teacher wishes you knew - holiday reading

What is the "summer slide" and how can you keep it from impacting on your child's literacy?

Summertime Reading for kids

Booklists for Kids

Find and read a book written or illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Complete a challenge for the 24/25 Summertime Reading Challenge with any of these books!

Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori

Complete two challenges for the 24/25 Summertime Reading Challenge. Read a book by Gavin Bishop and reading a book in Te Reo Māori!

New For You - Children's - February 2025

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older readers.

Kirkus Reviews 2024 - Best Middle Grade Non-Fiction

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. They review over 10,000 books a year before their release.

EAudiobooks

Listen to Tom Gates - Happy to help by Liz Pichon: BorrowBox

Summertime Reading includes audiobooks! Listen to this extra special new Tom Gates adventure right now - no holds, no queues.

Listen to Astrochimp by David Walliams on BorrowBox

Summertime Reading includes audiobooks! Listen to this funny book for kids, right now - no holds, no queues.

Bookworms Book Club

Join Bookworms Book Club, uLibrary's kids audio bookclub. The title for February is World Weavers by Sam Gayton.

Recommended for Kids

Best of 2024 for Kids

Our selectors have picked the best books of 2024 for tamariki. Have a browse and find a great read!

Most Popular in 2024: Tamariki - Kids

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No brainer by Jeff Kinney takes out first place. See the top 20 most popular pukapuka for tamariki in 2024!

Reading Recommendations for Tamariki

Librarians recommend the best books for tamariki on a variety of topics - fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, & more for kids of all ages.

Summertime Reading for teens

Booklists for Teens

Best of 2024: Young Adult

Our selectors pick the best books for teens.

Best music books of 2024

Donna's favourite music-related books read in 2024 - biographies, memoirs, music criticism plus fiction by musicians!

Witch, please

Witchy books as picked by Papanui Library.

Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of 2024

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. They review over 10,000 books a year before their release.

EAudiobooks

Listen to The reappearance of Rachel Price on BorrowBox

Summertime Reading includes audiobooks! Listen to this sensational new YA thriller by Holly Jackson, right now - no holds, no queues.

Listen to Code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein on BorrowBox

Summertime Reading includes audiobooks! Listen to this YA historical fiction story, right now - no holds, no queues.

Level up your reading: Top tips for reading more

Here are a few easy tips to increase your reading potential.

Return to Reading

A selection of books or ages 18 plus - perfect for rediscovering your love of reading.

Return to Reading: New Adult Sci-Fi

Dive into a thrilling sci-fi adventure where technology and humanity collide.

Return to Reading: New Adult Adventure

Discover a thrilling collection of adventure fiction designed to captivate and ignite your imagination.

Return to Reading: New Adult Horror

Dive into a chilling collection of horror fiction crafted for rediscovering the thrill of reading.

Return to Reading: New Adult Historical

Step into the past with this captivating collection of historical fiction, tailored for rediscovering the joy of reading.

Recommended for Teens

Reading Recommendations - Teens

Explore fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, rainbow reads and more - all made for rangatahi. Find your next favourite read at the library.

Most Popular in 2024: Rangatahi - Teens

Sarah J. Maas, Suzanne Collins, and Holly Jackson dominate this year! See what books were popular with teens.

Teen literary prizes and awards

Find winners and nominees for a range of prizes and awards for older children's, teens' and young adult books.

Author interviews for Kids and Teens

Read interviews with authors - how do they create characters and make awesome stories.

Summertime Reading nooks

Libraries are making reading nooks - cosy or cool places to do some Summertime Reading! This one is at New Brighton Library.

Featured

Bilingual Story Cards

Ignite imagination and improve literacy with our bilingual story cards for tamariki - at libraries for $19 for a pack of 60 cards.

Join us for school holiday fun and learning

Join in our bookable programmes and free activities in the school holidays.

Christmas

Links and information about the Christmas holidays - events, food, crafts, music, reading and more!

Join the library. It's free!

It is free to join the library. You can join the library online or at a library.

Single Button Module

JOIN NOW
Back to Top