About
The Summer Reading Challenge includes a reading challenge along with live events, hands-on workshops, performances, STEM activities, games, crafts, and other activities. Special events include a Summer Kickoff Carnival with activities, food, and hands-on fun, and a Backyard Bash with children’s activities, lawn games, music, and City partner information booths. The program also features shows and programs such as Noteworthy Puppets’ “Sherlock Homerun: A Whodunit Puppet Musical,” Arty Loon’s Variety Magic Show, the Powerhouse Percussive Dance Show, Wonders of Wildlife, Mr. Electric’s interactive science show about electricity, and California Joe’s National Parks Magic Show.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Reading Challenge runs June 20–August 8, 2026, with events including a pre-registration event on Wednesday, June 10; a Summer Kickoff Carnival on Saturday, June 20 from 10am–2pm; a Backyard Bash on Saturday, August 8 from 10am–1pm; and additional activities scheduled on specific dates and times throughout June and July.
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is an annual all-ages program with the theme “Turning Pages for 250 Years,” celebrating 250 years of United States history, stories, and community. Activities connected to this theme include Hooray For USA crafts, games, and interactive activities, a Letter Writing Workshop, and a presentation on the history of U.S. coinage. After the coinage presentation, there is an opportunity for a free appraisal of coins, currency, and gold or silver items.
Hands-on and STEM-focused options include Tween S.T.E.A.M. Team, which is a club just for tweens ages 8–12 that features a S.T.E.A.M. activity or craft, as well as birdhouse building, slime cafes, boba brewing, and nature journals. The Makerspace Discovery Tour offers a guided look at the space with live demonstrations of the 3D printer, Tajima embroidery machine, and laser engraver. Mr. Electric’s show covers discoveries of Benjamin Franklin and innovations of Nikola Tesla, and California Joe’s National Parks Magic Show explores California’s nine national parks and topics such as staying hydrated in the desert, the California Gold Rush, and differences between the parks.
Reading-focused events include the Wise Owl Tween Book Club, which includes meeting the author; the first 15 readers who register for this club receive a copy of the book to keep, limited to one copy per household. The Teen Game Cafe offers a puzzle and board games. Wonders of Wildlife is described as an “animal survival island” with special animals and a conservation focus, and California Living History provides interactive pioneer experiences.
Walk-in participants who pre-register on June 10 may receive a special grab bag, available while supplies last, and prizes for completing the challenge by August 8 are also available while supplies last. Registration is required for the Letter Writing Workshop, Wise Owl Tween Book Club, Tween S.T.E.A.M. Team, and Wonders of Wildlife, and all attendees must be registered for Wonders of Wildlife as space is limited. Admission tickets are required for Mr. Electric, with free tickets available at the Oak View Branch library borrower’s desk starting at 4:30 p.m. on the same day of the show, and attendees for the California Joe event in Eader Park are advised to consider bringing a blanket to sit on.
Friends of the Children’s Library sponsors the Wonders of Wildlife event and the Mr. Electric event. California Living History contributes interactive pioneer experiences as part of the program.
Last updated July 12, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Reading Challenge runs June 20–August 8, 2026, with events including a pre-registration event on Wednesday, June 10; a Summer Kickoff Carnival on Saturday, June 20 from 10am–2pm; a Backyard Bash on Saturday, August 8 from 10am–1pm; and additional activities scheduled on specific dates and times throughout June and July.
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is an annual all-ages program with the theme “Turning Pages for 250 Years,” celebrating 250 years of United States history, stories, and community. Activities connected to this theme include Hooray For USA crafts, games, and interactive activities, a Letter Writing Workshop, and a presentation on the history of U.S. coinage. After the coinage presentation, there is an opportunity for a free appraisal of coins, currency, and gold or silver items.
Hands-on and STEM-focused options include Tween S.T.E.A.M. Team, which is a club just for tweens ages 8–12 that features a S.T.E.A.M. activity or craft, as well as birdhouse building, slime cafes, boba brewing, and nature journals. The Makerspace Discovery Tour offers a guided look at the space with live demonstrations of the 3D printer, Tajima embroidery machine, and laser engraver. Mr. Electric’s show covers discoveries of Benjamin Franklin and innovations of Nikola Tesla, and California Joe’s National Parks Magic Show explores California’s nine national parks and topics such as staying hydrated in the desert, the California Gold Rush, and differences between the parks.
Reading-focused events include the Wise Owl Tween Book Club, which includes meeting the author; the first 15 readers who register for this club receive a copy of the book to keep, limited to one copy per household. The Teen Game Cafe offers a puzzle and board games. Wonders of Wildlife is described as an “animal survival island” with special animals and a conservation focus, and California Living History provides interactive pioneer experiences.
Walk-in participants who pre-register on June 10 may receive a special grab bag, available while supplies last, and prizes for completing the challenge by August 8 are also available while supplies last. Registration is required for the Letter Writing Workshop, Wise Owl Tween Book Club, Tween S.T.E.A.M. Team, and Wonders of Wildlife, and all attendees must be registered for Wonders of Wildlife as space is limited. Admission tickets are required for Mr. Electric, with free tickets available at the Oak View Branch library borrower’s desk starting at 4:30 p.m. on the same day of the show, and attendees for the California Joe event in Eader Park are advised to consider bringing a blanket to sit on.
Friends of the Children’s Library sponsors the Wonders of Wildlife event and the Mr. Electric event. California Living History contributes interactive pioneer experiences as part of the program.
Last updated July 12, 2026.
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