Summer Reading is here! Sign up • Read books • Earn prizes!
Get ready to "Read, Renew, Repeat" with our Summer Reading Challenge. We have a Summer Reading Challenge for babies, youth, teens, and adults with fun challenges and prizes, and you can participate at the library or online using the Beanstack website or the Beanstack app for Apple or Android devices. Watch a video on getting started with the Beanstack mobile app.
This year's theme promotes outdoor activities and connecting with nature, which, along with reading, can help boost our mental and physical health. So, this summer, we recommend that you take some time to enjoy your favorite book, eBook, or audiobook at your favorite outdoor spot.
We're kicking off Summer Reading with a scavenger hunt around the library from June 1-7. And while you're here, sign up for Summer Reading and pick up an exclusive "Read, Renew, Repeat" car magnet, while supplies last.
Adult Summer Reading (June 1-August 11)
Adults can sign up and log just four or more books to receive a thermal grocery bag and a coupon for a free book from the Friends' Bookshop. Plus, you'll be entered into weekly gift card drawings and our Grand Prize Drawing—a one-year household membership to the Chicago Botanic Garden. You can participate online, visit the library to sign up and pick up a reading log, or print one here. For questions about our Adult Summer Reading Challenge, call 847-272-2830 or email us at fictionmedia@northbrook.info.
If you'd like some reading suggestions, ask us or browse our reading lists.
Teen Summer Reading (June 1-August 11)
(Grades 6-12) Log your reading to earn coupons and win prizes (like a free book). You can also complete additional bonus activities to earn a special prize and an additional Grand Prize drawing ticket for the chance to win AirPods Pro or a Botanical LEGO set. You can participate online, visit the library to sign up and pick up a reading log, or print one here. For questions about our Teen Summer Reading Challenge, call 847-272-4300 or email us at youthservices@northbrook.info.
Youth Summer Reading (June 1-August 11)
(3yrs. - Grade 5) Youth participants can earn coupons and prizes, including a free book, with the chance to win exciting Grand Prizes like Cubs tickets, a bike, a train set, a Nintendo Switch, and more. You can also complete additional bonus activities to win a special prize. Watch our summer reading video! You can participate online, visit the library to sign up and pick up a reading log, or print one here. For questions about our Teen Summer Reading Challenge, call 847-272-4300 or email us at youthservices@northbrook.info.
Baby Summer Reading (June 1-August 11)
(Birth - 3 yrs.) Caregivers can complete fun literacy activities (like spending 10 cuddly minutes reading together). After logging 10 activities, you'll receive a free egg shaker, and after completing 20 activities, you will earn a free book. You can participate online, visit the library to sign up and pick up a reading log, or print one here. For questions about our Youth or Teen Summer Reading Challenge, call 847-272-4300 or email us at youthservices@northbrook.info.
Sign up at the library or sign up and log reading online with Beanstack
Register and log your reading on the Beanstack website (https://northbrookpl.beanstack.org)
After you create an account on Beanstack, you're set for all of our future Summer and Winter Reading Challenges. Parents/caregivers can set up one registered account holder and then add children to the account, which makes it easy to log reading with just a couple of taps. If you've already created an account, you can just sign in and get started. If you have any questions about logging in or logging your reading, call us at 847-272-2830 or email us at fictionmedia@northbrook.info. Here is a printable instruction sheet for logging your reading on the Beanstack website.
- Visit the Beanstack website. If you don't already have a Beanstack account, select the "Register an Individual or Family" button under Create an account.
- You will be asked if you have previously used Beanstack. If you already have a Beanstack account, click "Yes." If it is your first time using Beanstack, select "No." (If you already have an account and you didn’t choose your own username when you registered, your default username is your first and last name with no spaces, and the default password is beanstack.)
- You will be asked who you would like to register. You can either register yourself as an individual or register as an adult who would also like to register one or more children.
- Enter your account information, including your first and last name, a username, a phone number, and a password. You can also enter your email address, but it is optional. If you are also registering a child, you can also enter your child's information at the bottom of the screen. After you register yourself, you will be given the chance to register additional children.
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Once you have created an account, you can log your reading (or reading for other family members) by selecting the "Log Reading" button at the top of the screen. You can search for a book's title, author, ISBN, or scan its UPC barcode. You can also log multiple books at once, without titles, by entering the total number. Note: Maintaining a daily streak is optional; read at your own pace!
Register and log your reading with the Beanstack app
After you create an account on Beanstack, you're set for all of our future Summer and Winter Reading Challenges. Parents/caregivers can set up one registered account holder and then add children to the account, which makes it easy to log reading with just a couple of taps. If you have any questions about logging in, call us at 847-272-2830. Watch a video on getting started with the Beanstack mobile app.
- To sign in and start logging your reading using the Beanstack app for Apple or Android devices:
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Tap "Let's Go."
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Tap "At my library, school, or bookstore."
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Tap "Find a Site," enter Northbrook into the search field, and select "Northbrook Public Library" from the list that appears.
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If you don't already have a Beanstack account, tap "Sign Up" at the bottom of the screen, then tap "No" if this is the first time you are using Beanstack to participate in a reading challenge. After that, you will be asked to create a user name, add your email address, and create a password.
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If you already have an account and you didn’t choose your own username when you registered, your default username is your first and last name with no spaces, and the default password is beanstack.
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Once you have created an account for yourself (and any other members of your family who would like to register), you can enter your reading activity by tapping the "+" button. You can search for a book's title, author, ISBN, or scan its UPC barcode.
Have questions?
- For questions about our Adult Winter Reading Challenge, call 847-272-2830 or email fictionmedia@northbrook.info.
- For questions about our Youth or Teen Winter Reading Challenge, call 847-272-4300 or email youthservices@northbrook.info.
Sponsors & Partners
Summer Reading is sponsored by the Friends of the Northbrook Public Library and the Thomas & Kathleen Laird Family Foundation.
We thank all of our Summer Reading sponsors and partners and appreciate their support of this great community program.
