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YA Summer Reading 2026

YA Summer Reading 2026

"Fired Up About Reading!" written in flames

Young Adult Summer Reading 2026

Lowell Public Library (219) 696-7704

Schneider Branch Library (219) 552-1000

Shelby Branch Library (219) 552-0809

June 1–July 25, 2026

"RULES" written in flames with a rectangular border of flames

YA 2026 Summer Reading Rules

(Read these RULES before clicking on the sign-up link below.)

For every book you read you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of two, $50 gift cards or a variety of exciting treasures. YA Books with dragons count double.

For the gift card drawings will be separated between Middle Grade (5th-8th) readers and High School (9th-12th) readers with each group having 2 winners. 

Participation also gains admittance to the End of Summer Reading Cookout with 40′ Inflatable Obstacle Course.

1) Entries won’t be accepted before 6/2/26 (TUES)

2) You must have a personal Lowell Public Library card in good standing by July 27.

3) All books should be checked out from the library or one of our resources (Hoopla, Libby, Teen Book Cloud).

4) Books must be cataloged as Juvenile Fiction or higher. Graphic novels, magazines, audiobooks, physical books, comic books, manga, & e-books all count!
Please read at your reading level. No Juvenile Easy Readers, Story books, board books.

5) Only 5 YA book submissions per person per day will be entered into the drawing. The more you read the higher your chance of winning.

6) No entry will be accepted after 5PM on July 25. No exceptions.

Want a copy of the YA Summer Reading Rules? You can print them out using the PDF link below or stop by one of our locations and pick up a copy!

Registration

The sign-up link will be active starting at 9AM on Tuesday, May 26, HOWEVER, the 2026 YA Summer Reading Program does not officially begin until Monday, June 1.
Initial submissions will not be accepted until 9AM on Tuesday, June 2.   

Asian style dragon sitting at a desktop computer with photos on a desk.

PLEASE NOTE: This link below is for signing up for 2026 YA Summer Reading only. You can sign your student up for individual programs or events offered by the library during Summer Reading on our Events page or by calling the library. The Upcoming Young Adult Programs can also be found at the bottom of this page.  

ALSO, SIGNING UP FOR THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY KEEP TRACK OF THE BOOKS YOU HAVE CHECKED OUT.
You will still need to record books on a log sheet and turn them in with no more than 5 book submissions per day.

Upcoming Young Adult Events

5 chess pieces and a white checker above the words " Chess & Checkers"
03Jun
June 3, 2026 16:30

YA Chess / Checkers (Lowell)

Young Adults (5th-12th grade students) Are you interested in playing Chess OR Checkers with others your age? Come to our YA Checkers / Chess program on Wednesday, June 3, from…
Free
"Young Adults After Hours" in navy letters in the center of a red explosion shape. Beneath it the words "NERF BATTLE" in yellow-gold font.
05Jun
June 5, 2026 16:30

YOUNG ADULTS AFTER HOURS NERF BATTLE (Summer Reading kickoff) (Lowell)

Looking for an exhilarating way to kick off the summer? Look no further! Come and check out the Lowell Public Library’s YOUNG ADULTS AFTER HOURS NERF BATTLE for our YA…
Free
A circular piece of wood with "READ" burned onto it and a magnifying class lying beside it.
10Jun
June 10, 2026 12:30

YA Wood Burning Craft (Lowell)

Learn how to burn wood with lenses and magnifying glasses! Create your own image on a piece of wood to take home. This is a free program for students entering…
Free
Eagle head colored blue with white stars and red & white horizontal stripes on the right side of it
13Jun
June 13, 2026 12:30

YA Patriotic Art (Lowell)

Spend time creating your own, unique patriotic masterpieces to display for America’s 250th birthday! Sketch, draw with colored pencils, paint on canvas, be creative! Take yours home when you’re done…
Free
Red playground ball with white banner and blue letters spelling "KICKBALL".
17Jun
June 17, 2026 12:30

YA Kickball (Lowell)

Who wants to play kickball? Join other teens & tweens for an epic game of kickball. Plan to play another outdoor game if we don’t have enough players.   This…
Free
5 chess pieces and a white checker above the words " Chess & Checkers"
17Jun
June 17, 2026 16:30

YA Chess / Checkers (Lowell)

Young Adults (5th-12th grade students) Are you interested in playing Chess OR Checkers with others your age? Come to our YA Checkers / Chess program on Wednesday, June 17, from…
Free
a boy riding on a black dragon who is flying through the clouds
24Jun
June 24, 2026 12:00

YA Movie (Lowell)

Stop in for a movie and popcorn! We’ll be airing the live action How to Train Your Dragon movie. The movie runtime is 2hr5min. Expect the movie to start at…
Free
5 chess pieces and a white checker above the words " Chess & Checkers"
01Jul
July 1, 2026 16:30

YA Chess / Checkers (Lowell)

Young Adults (5th-12th grade students) Are you interested in playing Chess OR Checkers with others your age? Come to our YA Checkers / Chess program on Wednesday, July 1, from…
Free
a bowl of ice cream with caramel, sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry as toppings.
08Jul
July 8, 2026 12:30

YA Ice Cream Sundaes (Lowell)

July 8th is National Ice Cream Sundae Day. What better way to celebrate the day that to have some ice cream sundaes. YAs, stop in and load up a bowl…
mario and luigi racing
15Jul
July 15, 2026 12:30

YA Mario Kart Tournament (Lowell)

Teens & tweens, come to the Lowell Public Library on WEDNESDAY, July 15 at 12:30 to test your skills on Mario Kart with a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tournament on…
5 chess pieces and a white checker above the words " Chess & Checkers"
15Jul
July 15, 2026 16:30

YA Chess / Checkers (Lowell)

Young Adults (5th-12th grade students) Are you interested in playing Chess OR Checkers with others your age? Come to our YA Checkers / Chess program on Wednesday, July 15, from…
Free
painted glass picture of a dragon in various colors
22Jul
July 22, 2026 12:30

YA Dragon Painted Glass (Lowell)

Young Adults, come to the Lowell Public Library on WEDNESDAY, 7/22 at 12:30 to make a painted glass dragon art framed picture! Pick from various dragon designs to trace and…
Free