The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat starts Saturday 4 July and finishes Saturday 12 September
The Reading Agency, in partnership with libraries and powered by Universal Music UK, delivered the Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat.
Children have been able to discover the joy of reading through the Summer Reading Challenge, with a fantastic range of books inspired by music from around the world. They will be able to explore stories, poetry, graphic novels and non-fiction for all reading levels, and enjoyed a whole range of family activities throughout the summer.
Now in its 27th year, the Summer Reading Challenge inspires hundreds of thousands of young readers across the UK each summer. Last year alone, over 11 million books were borrowed from libraries during the Summer Reading Challenge, including audio and e-books. In Dorset over 4,600 children have taken part - make sure to visit and collect your final stickers by library closing time on Saturday 12 September.