Summer Reading Club 2026

Dive Into Summer Reading Club 2026 at the ORL!

Something big is making waves at the ORL! Summer Reading Club 2026 begins June 15, and this year’s theme is Under the Sea.

From glowing twilight waters to mysterious ocean trenches, Summer Reading Club 2026 invites children, teens, and families to dive into a summer filled with stories, creativity, and adventure.

This year, there’s more than one way to participate. Whether your child loves bedtime stories, audiobooks, outdoor adventures, creative projects, or reading late into the evening with a flashlight, there’s a Summer Reading Club adventure waiting for them.

Starting June 15, visit your local ORL branch to pick up reading logs and challenge trackers, or dowload your reading log online and begin your underwater adventure from home.

For Little Ones (Infant to Age 5)

Read Together. Explore Together.

Our youngest readers can dive into Summer Reading Club with two fun ways to participate this year!

BC Summer Reading Club Reading Log

Track daily reading together throughout the summer. Complete the reading log and receive a Summer Reading Club medal.

Slippery Fish Read-to-Me Tracker

Colour one sea creature each day you read together. Complete the tracker and enter a prize draw for a chance to win exciting prizes!

Possible prizes include:

  • $50 Indigo Gift Card
  • Rawlings T-Ball Starter Set
  • My First Pinball Activity Table
  • My Story Tale Personalized Book Gift Card

Entry deadline is 14 September. Prize draw winners will be notified on 6 October.

Reading together can happen anywhere: at bedtime, under a shady tree, during road trips, or curled up on the couch after a busy summer day. Stop by your local ORL branch to pick up Preschool Summer Reading Club materials.

For Kids (Ages 6–12)

Read, Create, and Dive Into Adventure

School-age readers can mix reading, creativity, STEM learning, and exploration all summer long.

BC Summer Reading Club Reading Log

Track your reading throughout the summer and earn a Summer Reading Club medal when completed.

Under the Sea Challenge Tracker

Complete at least 24 of 32 activities for a chance to enter a prize draw.

Activities include:

  • Creating an ocean-themed diorama
  • Inventing a fictional country
  • Learning words in a new language
  • Building obstacle courses
  • Listening to audiobooks
  • Researching scientists and historical events
  • Reading books by Canadian authors

Possible prizes include:

  • $100 Indigo Gift Card
  • $100 Best Buy Gift Card
  • $100 LEGO Gift Card
  • Havoc Storm Scooter
  • Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera
  • National Geographic Rock Tumbler
  • Candy Claw Engineering Set
  • Sports Fan Pack

Entry deadline is 14 September. Prize draw winners will be notified on 6 October.

Some children love tracking their reading. Others love completing activities, trying new things, or exploring creative challenges. This year’s Summer Reading Club offers flexible ways for every kind of reader and learner to participate. Stop by your local ORL branch to pick up Summer Reading Club materials.

For Teens (Ages 13–18)

Explore the Deep Sea

The Deep Sea Challenge Tracker invites teen readers to explore every layer of the ocean through creative challenges, reading prompts, and summer adventures.

Complete at least two challenges from each ocean zone for a chance to enter a prize draw.

Challenges include:

  • Reading outside
  • Spotting constellations
  • Listening to science podcasts
  • Exploring mysteries and paranormal stories
  • Learning about shipwrecks and sea creatures
  • Diving into family history
  • Watching nature documentaries

Possible prizes include:

  • $100 Indigo Gift Card
  • $100 Best Buy Gift Card
  • $100 Lululemon Gift Card
  • $100 Michaels Gift Card

Entry deadline is 14 September. Prize draw winners will be notified on 6 October.

Whether you’re reading at the beach, listening to audiobooks after dark, or exploring the mysteries of the deep ocean, the Deep Sea Challenge Tracker offers plenty of ways to participate at your own pace. Stop by your local ORL branch to pick up a Teen Summer Tracker.

Reading Logs vs. Challenge Trackers — What’s the Difference?

This year’s Summer Reading Club includes both official BC Summer Reading Club Reading Logs and ORL-created Challenge Trackers.

Reading Logs
  • Focus on daily reading
  • Available for ages 0–5 and 6–12
  • Complete the log to earn a medal
  • Available province-wide through the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA)
Challenge Trackers
  • Include reading, creativity, activities, and exploration
  • Available for preschool, school-age, and teen participants
  • Complete the tracker to enter a prize draw
  • Created by ORL Youth Services librarians to offer children and teens more fun ways to participate!

Families are welcome to participate in one or both.

Mark Your Calendar!

Summer Reading Club Begins: Monday, June 15, 2026

Deadline to Submit Challenge Trackers: Monday, September 14, 2026

Prize Draw Winners Notified: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a library card to join?
No. Summer Reading Club is free and open to everyone.

What kinds of reading count?
Books, graphic novels, audiobooks, magazines, comics, read-alongs, and stories shared aloud all count.

How much should we read?
We encourage families to make daily reading the goal. Every little bit of reading counts!

What if we miss a few days?
No problem. Summer reading adventures can continue anytime.

Can we participate while travelling?
Yes! Keep reading and tracking wherever your summer adventures take you.

Summer Booklists Crafted Just For You

Looking for your next great summer read? Explore ocean-inspired stories, family favourites, graphic novels, mysteries, fantasy adventures, and more with curated Summer Reading Club booklists.

Dive Into a Picture Book!

Youth Services librarians have collected a sea of picture book adventures with this playful Summer Reading Club reading list. From curious sea creatures and ocean mysteries to big splashes, tiny crabs, and underwater discoveries, these stories are perfect for reading together all summer long.

Under the Sea Adventures

Quench your thirst for ocean adventures with this Summer Reading Club booklist for ages 6–12. From sea dragons and shipwrecks to underwater mysteries, survival stories, and magical ocean worlds, these page-turning reads are ready to make waves.

Teens in Deep Water

Dive into deep waters with this Summer Reading Club booklist for teens. From shipwrecks and sea gods to pirates, survival stories, magical oceans, and mysterious islands, these adventurous reads are ready to sweep you away.

Prefer to participate online?

The BC Summer Reading Club also offers a fun, easy-to-use Online Reading Tracker app for kids and families who can’t visit a branch—or just love digital badges!

Starting June 15, track your reading goals from home and collect themed badges along the way.