Idaho Teen Reading Challenge

8 Books. 7 Months. 1 State.

More than 690 Idaho teens and tweens at 62 different libraries completed the 2024-25 Idaho Teen Reading Challenge – nice work! Check out the map below for locations of the libraries that had a teen finish the challenge. Registration is closed for the 2025 – 2026 Challenge – please contact Jennifer if you need additional materials for your library: jennifer.redford@libraries.idaho.gov.

New Categories for the 2025-2026 School Year

The Idaho Teen Reading Challenge is a chance for school and public libraries to challenge teens to read books outside of their comfort zone. Here’s how it works:

  1. During October 1 – April 30, teens are challenged to read 8 books from the following 10 categories:
    • Read a book that Features Food.
    • Read about Something That Scares You.
    • Read a book featuring Mythology.
    • Read a book about Something You Love.
    • Read a book with a Nonhuman Main Character.
    • Read a book Recommended by a Librarian.
    • Read a Graphic Novel.
    • Read a book with a Historical Setting.
    • Read a book you find on the Bottom Shelf.
    • Free Choice: read whatever you want!
  2. Register your library to participate in the reading challenge. When you register, you will have the chance to request tracking forms and bookmarks to hand out to teens. Reading journals will be available for you to download and print as needed. We will also send a custom sticker that you can give to teens who complete the challenge and two 8.5 x 11 posters to help advertise the ITRC. Registration will be open from August 1 – October 15.
  3. We will mail you a set of tracking forms, bookmarks, stickers, and posters. You can decide how much interaction you have with teens who take the challenge – you can set up a spreadsheet or other method to track their progress or just check in occasionally. When they have completed the entire challenge, they need to turn in their tracking sheet to you. You do not have to keep the tracking sheets, but you do need to keep track of how many kids participated and how many challenge categories they finished (here’s a sample Excel tracking sheet with two different options for tracking). Do you need more materials? Reach out to Jennifer to request additional materials: jennifer.redford@libraries.idaho.gov.
  4. Share information about the ITRC and engage with teens all year long. Teens can start the ITRC at any time, and you can solicit feedback from them throughout the year, too. This year we are partnering with IDeal, Idaho’s college savings program, to host an art contest where teens can create digital badges representing each of the categories. As teens finish a book, you can award them the badge from the book’s category and encourage them to earn ALL of the badges. More on the digital badge art contest below.
  5. NEW: Keep track of how many teens read at least one book as part of the challenge. We want to recognize ALL reading that is done as part of the ITRC. This year, we are asking libraries to track each book that is read as part of the challenge, even if the teen doesn’t finish reading all eight books. Teens who do complete the whole challenge are eligible to receive a sticker, but every book is counted and all reading is recognized. You can use a simple spreadsheet like this one to track reading or use your own method.
  6. Submit a report. In May, you will be asked to submit a short evaluation with the total number of teens who participated in the ITRC at your library, including those who finished the Challenge. You will also be able to send feedback about the program and suggestions for next year’s categories.

That’s it! Hopefully this will be a fun way to engage with teens and encourage them to discover books they love.

New This Year – Digital Badge Art Contest for Teens

Thanks to the 75 teens who submitted artwork for the first-ever ITRC Digital Badge Art Contest! The ten winners each received a $25 credit from our partners at IDEAL – Idaho’s 529 College Savings Program. You can download the winning enteries below and use them to create stickers, buttons, or any other type of badge to recognized teens who have completed each category of the ITRC.

Thanks to Angela from Coeur d’Alene Public Library for sharing this template of badge circles for a 1.5-inch button maker.

ITRC Materials

You can download and print your own ITRC materials. Below are links to both the PDF files and Canva Templates for this year’s materials:

Bookmarks

Tracking Sheets

Reading Journal (Note – this year’s journals are formated to be a half-page size to make them easier to print and fold – check out printing instructions for the Reading Journal here)

ITRC Promotional Poster

Digital Badge Art Contest Promotional Poster 

Want Book Lists for the categories? Check out this post from Angela at Coeur d’Alene Public Library with linked booklists and a downloadable bookmark that has a QR code that links to the book lists post: https://cdateenzone.substack.com/p/itrc-25-26 

Promotional Videos

Download a 30- second promotional video to share info about the Challenge on social media, in your library, or on video announcements at your school. The video will open in the browser and start playing. Along the bottom of the video screen (where the play/pause/audio options are), click the more options button (three vertical dots) in the bottom right corner. This should pop up a menu with a download option:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Whoa! The ITRC has a new look – what’s up with that?
A: Based on feedback from librarians around the state, the logo and look of the ITRC was updated in the summer of 2024 to appeal more teens. We hope you (and the teens) like it!

Q: Why are there 10 categories if you only need to read eight books? 
A: Giving teens a choice is important and having extra categories builds a little bit of flexibility into the program. The hope is that teens are challenged to read something new and not turned off by having to read in a category that doesn’t work for them.

Q: I need more tracking sheets / bookmarks / stickers – can you mail me some?
A: Yes – we have leftover printed materials and will send them to any library that requests them until we run out. Just email Jennifer to get more tracking sheets, journals, bookmarks, or stickers: jennifer.redford@libraries.idaho.gov.

Q: Will the ICfL provide an incentive for teens who complete the program? 
A: Yes! Teens who finish the challenge will receive a custom sticker. Unfortunately, we do not have funding for additional incentives this year.

Q: Didn’t you used to have a drawing for gift cards for teens who finished the program?
A: Yes! During the first year of the ITRC (2021 – 2022), we did give out Amazon gift cards in a drawing of teens who finished the Challenge. We used one-time funding for this incentive to kick off the program.

Q: Can my library provide additional incentives?
A: Yes! Feel free to use the framework of the Challenge and modify this program in ways that work for your teens.

Q: What types of books qualify for the reading challenge?
A: ALL types of books qualify – audiobooks, e-books, graphic novels, instructional manuals, etc.

Q: Who can participate in the challenge?
A: All Idaho teens, ages 12 – 19, can participate.

Q: What about sixth-graders who are 11 but will turn 12 this year?
A: They can definitely participate in the challenge!

Q: Can my library use our own tracking system, like Beanstack, instead of the tracking sheets?
A: Yes! You can just send your stats to Jennifer in May to get counted.

Q: Can I print off my own stuff? 
A: Yes! Check above for links to PDF’s and Canva Templates for all the ITRC materials.

Q: Is there a way to get a copy of the Idaho Teen Reading Challenge logo?

A: Yup! You can download the ITRC logo and other ICfL logos here.

An Info Session for the 2025-2026 ITRC was held on Thursday, September 4, 2025. You can view the recording below:

Questions about the Challenge? Contact Jennifer: jennifer.redford@libraries.idaho.gov

Jennifer Redford

Jennifer Redford

Youth Services Consultant
Email Jennifer / 208-639-4147
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This program is made possible in part by the Idaho Commission for Libraries, IDeal Idaho College Savings Program, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Idaho Commission for Libraries
Ideal. Idaho College Savings Program.
Institute of Museum and Library Services logo.