1. Choose a book by a local KidLit Creator, and start reading.
• It’s really that easy! There are no pledges to sign, no quizzes to take, and lots of great books for readers of all ages and interests. We believe that the best way to create lifelong readers is to make reading fun!
• Read one book or two … or every book on the list. It’s up to you!
2. Keep track of your reading with a Read Local Challenge Passport.
• Pick up a Read Local Challenge Passport from your participating school, library, or bookstore. Or download a copy here.
• Check off the books you read, and mark your favorites!
• Tell us what books you have read, and download your Certificate of Achievement, as well as a selection of exclusive Read Local Challenge downloadables!
3. Make it a competition!
• Gather a group of friends together or challenge your class (or even your whole school) to a reading race!
• Choose a prize: A pizza party… A pajamas & popcorn party… A new book for the classroom library… Bragging rights… What prize will make the competition the most fun for your group?
• Choose the stakes: Who will win the grand prize in your challenge? Will it be the class who reads the most books? The student who most improves their reading? The one who has the best book-themed costume for Halloween?
• It’s your challenge! You get to decide the rules!
4. Nominate a school or library to win.
• Click the link on our website to nominate your favorite school or library to win a box of books from us.
• Each book you read gives the school/library you nominate one more chance to win. (If your whole class of 30 students reads a book together, that counts as 30 entries!)
• The winner will receive a box of books from the independent bookstore closest to the winning school/library!
5. Meet a local KidLit Creator, in-person or online.
• Check out the Read Local Challenge events calendar or your favorite KidLit Creator’s website to find us at our already-scheduled events.
• Follow us on social media, explore our websites, and sign up for our newsletters to keep up-to-date.
• This is the perfect time to meet us! All KidLit Creators participating in the challenge have offered a 10% discount on our individual speaking rates to any group participating in the challenge. (See our websites for more information, or contact us for current rates.)
6. Invite a Local KidLit Creator to YOUR event!
• All Featured Read Local Challenge authors and illustrators offer a 10% discount on our individual speaking rates to any group participating in the challenge. (See our profiles for more information, or to contact us for current rates.)
• Multi-author/illustrator visits at special rates are also available. If you have a set budget and/or you’d like to set up a special multi-author/illustrator panel for your school, library, or organization, please contact Veronica Bartles, Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI MD/DE/WV, at mddewv-ara@scbwi.org with your information (budget, date/time, number of authors requested, theme, etc.) She will do her best to help you find the KidLit Creators that best fit your needs.
7. Teachers, Librarians, & Group Leaders: Request your FREE Read Local Challenge Kit.
• Use the form on our website to request your materials. You will receive full-color posters, passports, stickers, etc. to help you make the Read Local Challenge part of your literacy efforts for the 2022/23 school year.