Reading Challenges

2024-2025 Reading Challenge

Join us for a Reading Challenge this 2024-2025 school year! Sign up for a challenge depending on your grade level. NO Frankfort library card required.

Important Dates

  • Registration opens: Sunday, December 1, 2024
  • Prize Pick-Up begins: Sunday, December 1, 2024
  • Last day to log books: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
  • All prizes must be picked up by: Friday, May 9, 2025

Monarch Challenge is for Grades K-2

In April 2003, ISLMA approved the establishment and support of The Monarch Award: Illinois’ K-3 Readers’ Choice Award.

The name Monarch was chosen because of its familiarity to K-3 children and to symbolize the growth, change and freedom that becoming a reader brings. The Monarch is designed to encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children’s books, authors and illustrators.

Monarch Challenge is for Grades K-2

  • For students in grades K-2.
  • Read all 20 books on the 2025 Monarch List to earn a prize.

Bluestem Challenge is for Grades 3-5

The award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles.

Named in honor of Big Bluestem which is the state prairie grass, the award may include both timeless classics and current titles, as well as books that have appeared on Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists.

Bluestem Challenge

Caudill Challenge is for Grades 6-8

The award is designed for The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students. in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles.

The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The award is given in recognition for her literary talent and the universal appeal of her books which have touched the hearts of many children and young adults.

Caudill Challenge

2024 Read for a lifetime award challenge

Read for a Lifetime Challenge is for Grades 9-12

Read for a Lifetime is a statewide reading program that targets high school students. This initiative promotes the enjoyment of reading by encouraging students to read both classic and contemporary literature and rewards them for their efforts. By participating in the program, students develop a love of books and reading that will last a lifetime.

Sources: Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE), Illinois Center for the Book

Read for a Lifetime

Note: Frankfort Public Library District has adjusted the grade levels that can participate in each challenge according to the needs of the Frankfort community. Any questions can be directed to the Frankfort Public Library Youth Services Department.

Participate online:

Sign up online at Beanstack– the Library’s online reading log.  (Registration opens December 1, 2024.)