2020 Teen Summer Reading Program
Imagine Your Story
Our 2020 Summer Reading Program runs June 22 – August 7, 2020.
This year, we’ll be taking our Summer Reading Program virtual! Stay tuned to this page and our social media for information about how to sign up and participate! We’ll also be hosting virtual events throughout the summer. Good luck and happy reading!
How It Works
Reading Component
This year our reading program is completely online. We are using a program called Beanstack. You can use your computer, laptop, tablet or cell phone to sign up and track your reading. Go to https://lowelllibrary.beanstack.com/ to sign up now or download the mobile app!
Need instructions on how to sign up?
YA Reading Program
Reading Goals
The goal is to read two hours a week and to log your time. If you meet this weekly goal, you will earn a digital badge and be entered into a weekly raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card. You can read anything you want! Do you have to read for school? You can count that time toward your weekly reading goal.
The Big Fat Summer Reading Raffle
Teens that earn 6 badges for reading will be entered into an end of Summer Reading Raffle for a $50 Amazon gift card. All reading must be logged and book reviews posted by August 7, 2020.
But Wait! There’s More!
In addition to logging reading and book reviews, you can participate in two additional special online challenges:
- The Teen Create Your Own Adventure Challenge gives you four activities to help you create your own world complete with a hero, a villain, and a magical item. Complete all four activities, earn four digital badges, and you are automatically entered into raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card.
- Tell Us About It! Teens can also take part in the Teen Reading Titans challenge. Submit three book reviews, earn three digital badges, and you are automatically entered into a raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Special Teen-Only Events
Introduction to Interactive Fiction – Virtual
Tuesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 pm (running June 16 – August 25)
Open to 6th grade and up. Join our expert Brendan Desilets to learn about the computer game Interactive Fiction, a game in which, you are always the main character in the story. As the main character your mission is to solve puzzles, navigate mazes, defeat villains, and win. There are thousands of Interactive Fiction games that you can play online. Once you’ve learned the basics and maybe even perfected some of the tricks, you can join in our Wednesday advanced program.
Brendan Desilets is a retired middle and high school teacher. He is an adjunct professor at UMass Lowell. He has been playing and writing interactive fiction for many years.
This program will be held via Zoom. In order to participate you need to register (just once) for this program and provide an email address so we can send you the instructions to join in.
Registered attendees will receive a Zoom link prior to the event. Register here.Â
Interactive Fiction (Advanced) – Virtual
Wednesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 pm (running June 17 – August 26)
Like the introductory class, but for students who have already learned the basics.
This program will be held via Zoom. In order to participate you need to register (just once) for this program and provide an email address so we can send you the instructions to join in.
Registered attendees will receive a Zoom link prior to the event. Register here.Â
Teen Writers Workshop with Taika Brand – Virtual
Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, June 25 – July 30????? – Register no later than July 1
Whether you like writing short stories, poetry or plays, this workshop is a chance to share your work (if you want) and have fun, while growing as a writer.
Taika Brand is a published poet whose work has appeared in Fish Stories, Prairie Schooner and Connecticut River Review. She has a M.F.A. in Poetry from Brown University where she was the winner of the Kim Ann Arstark Poetry Prize. She is currently editing her YA novel, Up on the Ridge, and poetry manuscript, Alien Light. She lives, writes, and teaches in Portland, ME.
This program will be held via Zoom. In order to participate you need to register (just once) for this program and provide an email address so we can send you the instructions to join in. Register by completing the form at on the events page or by calling the Children’s Desk at 978-674-6173.
Dungeons & Dragons for Beginners – Virtual
Friday, August 7 & 14 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Grab & Go Packet Pick-ups on July 27, August 3, and August 10 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Open to 6th grade and older.
Have you been interested in learning about Dungeons and Dragons? Here is your chance! Over 3 weeks (July 27, August 3, and August 10 from 11 am – 12 pm), we will give you activities to help you create a character, develop your powers, and other important parts to playing D&D.
There will be 2 Zoom sessions where you can play with resident D&D expert, Falicia Lerow. Falicia will teach you the basics of D&D and the online tool Roll20. Sessions for game play will be held virtually on August 7 & August 14 at 3:00 pm. You must register for the virtual sessions at LowellLibrary.org/events or by calling the Children’s Desk at 978-674-1548.
Check our CALENDAR FOR A FULL LIST OF SUMMER EVENTS!!!
Summer Reading Lists
K- grade 4 Summer Reading List