Summer Reading & Other Challenges

Reading Challenges
for All Ages

Read. Learn. Earn Badges & Prizes.

Sign up with a computer, get a paper version (coming soon) or download the free Beanstack Tracker app!

Día Storybook Walk with Downtown Marshalltown
OFFLINE challenge now through May 5, 2024
Print, pick up at the library, or look at the scavenger hunt worksheet on your phone & write down the
first two words of the titles on your own paper in order of the worksheet,
while you look for picture book covers in participating downtown business windows.
Find most of the covers and turn in your worksheet at the youth desk at the library for a FREE book
(from prize cart) for any participating youth in the family (books available for babies, preschoolers, school-aged and teens!)
PLUS a chance to win a grand prize.

Read 1000 Books Together– ongoing
Start logging books with your baby, toddler, or preschooler.
Prizes for reaching milestones of 25, 100, 500, 800 books.
Receive a “Super Readers Prize Pack” at 1000 books (by the time your child turns 8),
plus your picture in our Super Readers photo album if you choose. 

Summer Reading Challenge
2024 Info Coming Soon!

PAST Summer Reading Challenge
June 1 – August 21, 2023
Earn swim passes, Blank Park Zoo & Iowa Cubs Tickets,
food coupons, bedtime buddies, & more. Plus get chances for grand prizes.

  • Welcome Prize Summer – Register online or stop into the library starting May 22. Stop by the youth desk and choose a book from our prize cart + your choice of a bookmark to get you started with your summer reading. Challenge activities start June 1. 
  • Bronze Level Prize SRP – Log 10 Days + 1 Activity Badge.  Start logging your days June 1, and stop by the youth desk and get a prize from our Hodgepodge basket+ get a free admission pass for kids up to 12 years old for the Blank Park Zoo. 
  • Silver Level Prize SRP – Log 30 Days + 3 Activity Badges.  Stop by and choose a Bedtime Buddy (stuffed animal) OR an item from our Hodgepodge Basket. You have also qualified for a free adult/child pair of Iowa Cubs tickets for the baseball game on Sunday, August 6, if you are interested/able to go to the game at the stadium in Des Moines.
  • Gold Level Prize SRP – Log 50 Days + 5 Activity Badges.  Stop by the youth desk and choose something from the Deluxe prize cart, including book sets, autographed books, activity magnet sets, Pokemon Tins, deluxe coloring books, new hardcovers, pop-ups, and more (or choose another item from the Hodgepodge basket, as an alternative choice.)

2023 Activity Badge Info HERE

Winter Reads Chapter Book Genre Challenge
Grades 2nd – 12th Grade, Watch for info in December, 2024
Prize at Sign Up & after 5 badges – plus tickets for grand prizes!

Year Round & other Challenges:
You can sign up for your Beanstack account ANYTIME,
(make sure you choose Marshalltown Public Library)
then use the same account to register for different
challenges. If you’ve forgotten your login info, ask us.
Need Help? 

There are also lots of free activities going on this summer:
Check out the Events Calendar, or like us on Facebook!

Need help? Stop by the youth desk or give us a call at 641-754-5738, ext. 3.
Or email us at libraryyouth@marshalltown-ia.gov