Second Lady Usha Vance launched the annual Summer Reading Challenge on June 1, 2026. (The White House)
Second Lady Usha Vance announced Wednesday that students who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge can now head online and choose a reward after submitting their reading log and reflection.
What you can do:
Once students submit their reading log and reflection, they will be able to select a reward from an online prize shop featuring:
- A ticket to the Crayola Experience in Florida or Pennsylvania
- Scouting America Summer Reading Challenge patches and mini Scout Life magazines
- A Dairy Queen gift card
- A book selection from 24 Scholastic Books
- A Walmart gift card
- A ticket to the National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C.
- Crayola markers
- A Wendy's Frosty coupon
- Freedom 250 patches and stickers
- NASA patches and stickers
Participants of the Summer Reading Challenge will also receive:
- Personalized certificate of completion
- Personalized certificate of completion
- Personalized certificate of completion
- Letter from the Second Lady
- America 250-themed bookmark produced in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts
- Raffle entry for a visit to the White House
What they're saying:
"Reading is its own reward, but I’m excited to announce that kids who participate in my Summer Reading Challenge will also receive fun prizes this summer. Congratulations to everyone who has already completed the Challenge — enjoy picking out something special on the new prize website! And if you haven't started, there’s still plenty of time to make this the best summer of reading yet," said Second Lady Usha Vance.
By the numbers:
The Office of the Vice President says this year's submissions are currently triple the number received this time last year when over 20,000 students submitted reading logs as part of the 2025 pilot program.
Summer Reading Challenge submissions will be accepted until September 4, 2026. Please visit wh.gov/read for more information.
The backstory:
The American Library Association says the U.S. Summer Reading program began in the 1890s as a way to encourage children to use libraries during summer break to combat "summer learning loss". The summer reading program continues across the country through local libraries and White House's Summer Reading Challenge.
The Source: This article includes information from the Office of the Vice President and the American Library Association. This story was reported from Orlando.