Summertime Reading

Summertime Reading

Get ready for a summer filled with stories, adventures, and endless imagination! 

Join our Summertime Reading Challenge from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025 and be in to win cool prizes.

You can 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 today!

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.

Featured events

Events

Summertime Reading calendar

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

Best of 2024 for Kids

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

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

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.

Return to reading

Has it been a while since you spent time reading? Get back into it with our lists of the most readable and enjoyable books.

Recommended for Kids

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.

Children's literary prizes and awards

Winners and nominees for a range of prizes and awards for children's fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids

Books for tamariki and whānau that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

Summertime Reading for teens

Booklists for Teens

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.

Return to reading

Has it been a while since you spent time reading? Get back into it with our lists of the most readable and enjoyable books.

Return to Reading

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

Make (Y)our Space competition: Papanui Library

Aspiring artists aged 12‒18 years. Enter a competition to design, draw or paint an artwork for Te Kete Wānanga o Papanui.

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.

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.

Rainbow reads for rangatahi - teens

Books for teens that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

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. Bookings open 7pm Thursday 19 December.

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.

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