This year, the Idaho Falls Public Library wants readers of all types and reading levels to prove they are book nerds.
“We want to make sure that anybody who's an independent reader feels like they can participate in this challenge,” said Beth Swenson, a librarian at the Idaho Falls Public Library.
The Extreme Book Nerd Challenge lasts the whole year, and readers are divided into three age categories: kids through 6th grade, teens ages 12 – 17 and adults ages 18 and older. Each age group has different challenges. To earn prizes, readers need to register for the challenge and read 25 to 50 books depending on their age group.
Some separate programs this year may also count for this challenge, but Swenson isn’t ready to let people know what those other challenges will be just yet.
“I'm going to let people just wonder what the mystery is,” she said. “It's going to be really great. It's going to encourage a lot of the more reluctant readers to come in and read as well.”
Swenson says the challenge can be catered to individual readers too. For example, a child who struggles to read can still earn prizes.
“She should still get prizes for being able to do the reading that she does. And so, it's based off of her, but it's going to benefit a lot of other teenagers as well. So that's the teaser I'll give for it,” Swenson said.
Readers are free to join the Extreme Book Nerd Challenge at any time this year. For more information about the challenge, click here.