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READING SERVICES
Summer Reading
2026 Summer Reading Challenge
UNEARTH A STORY!
Summer Reading for Everyone
June 15 - August 15
Prizes, activities, and programs!
Thank you to the Friends of the Library for making this program possible!
Each summer the Library offers programs and activities for adults, teens, and children to encourage reading and excite curiosity. Register on Beanstack to log your reading and activities, and win prizes!
Pre-Register in BEANSTACK beginning June 8th,
then start logging your reading on June 15th
You can download the Beanstack App to log your reading and activities on the go!
Have questions? See the Beanstack FAQ
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: June | July | August
For information about the Summer Reading Program by age group:
The Summer Reading Program is generously supported by the Friends of the Maplewood Library.
You can become a Friend of the Library and continue to support library programming by clicking here.
HOW IT WORKS for KIDS:
1. Sign up on BEANSTACK for Maplewood Library’s 2026 KIDS Summer Reading Challenge (sign-up starts on June 8th)
2. Then log the TIME you spend reading and writing to earn prizes, books, comics, and more! (Logging starts on June 15th)
3. Log your time in BEANSTACK or on a PAPER LOG (but preferably not in both)
4. Then come to the library to get your prizes (starting Monday June 29th)
5. Detailed instructions can be found on the Kids Summer Reading Page
EARNING PRIZES for KIDS:
Prize-giving for kids starts the week of June 29th!
For every hour you read or write, kids earn a sticker to solve the Pixel Puzzle Poster. You can get an unlimited number of Pixel Puzzle stickers if you keep reading and writing.
In addition, for every 3 hours that you read or write, kids can spin the prize wheel for a special prize. Come to the library to see what those prizes are.
At the end of the summer, the top readers and writers will win a Grand Prize (Grand Prizes include: a $25 gift card from the Maplewood business of your choice, Elephant & Piggie bookends, or a Bluetooth speaker). Earn extra credit towards the Grand Prize by writing book reviews! The more time you spend reading and writing, the greater your chance to win a Grand Prize!
SOMSD Summer Reading Lists for Elementary Age kids:
2026 Grades K-2 Suggested Reading List
Catalog version (easiest way to request items and see all the formats available)
2026 Grades 3-5 Suggested Reading List
Catalog version (easiest way to request items and see all the formats available)
Contact the Children’s Department:
Any questions? Please email us at kids@maplewoodlibrary.org or call Main Library at 973.762.1688 ext 5001 or Hilton Branch at 973-762-1688 ext. 5101
TEENS
Monday, June 15 - Saturday, August 15: Teen Summer Reading Challenge
"Unearth a Story" is the national summer reading theme for 2026. To that end, Maplewood Library's teen summer reading activities will focus on mysteries and secrets.
Teen Summer Reading Events
Click any of the event links for more information or to register:
Wednesday, June 24, 3:30-4:30 | Let's Play Among Us
Tuesday, June 30, 3:30-4:30 | Brown Bag Book Swap: LGBTQ+
Monday, July 6, 3:30-4:30 | Design a Signature Symbol
Monday, July 13 through Saturday, July 19 | Take-and-Make: Grow Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Tuesday, July 21, 3:30-4:30 | The Mysteries of Tarot Cards
Wednesday, July 29, 3:30-4:30 | Trivia: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Thursday, August 6, 3:00-4:30 | Make a Secret Compartment in a Book
Friday, August 14, 2:30-4:30 | Escape Room
Prizes
To increase your chances of winning prizes, register and participate actively on Beanstack!
Beanstack
The Maplewood Library uses Beanstack to facilitate our summer reading challenge. Click here to create an account. The Teen Summer Reading Challenge runs from Monday, June 15 through Saturday, August 15.
Reading Lists
2026 Middle School Suggested Reading List
Catalog version (easiest way to request items and see all the formats available)
2026 High School Suggested Reading List
Catalog version (easiest way to request items and see all the formats available)
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the teen librarian via email.
ADULTS
How It Works:
Join the Adult Summer Reading Challenge
Participate to enter prize drawings for personal pizzas and gift card prizes to local businesses!
Ways to Participate & Be Eligible for Prizes in Beanstack:
Log the minutes and books you read this summer
Write book reviews
The more badges you earn for logging minutes read and book reviews, the greater your chances to win prizes!
Prizes
Biweekly Prizes: Win a PERSONAL PIZZA! Every two weeks, one drawing raffle winner will win a gift card to their favorite Maplewood pizza spot (if you are allergic to pizza, you can select an alternate prize ;)
Grand Prize: three winners will be chosen by raffle drawing from all the entries submitted over the course of the program to win a $50 gift card to a Maplewood business of their choice!
Events
Download our Summer Events for Adults brochure and see the highlights of our Summer Reading Program below. Check our Events Calendar and watch this space as more events will be added throughout the summer!
Thank you to the Friends of the Library for making this program possible!
You can become a Friend of the Library here.