Extreme Book Nerd for Kids —

January 6 to December 19, 2026 —

2026 Challenge

The 2026 Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Challenge begins January 6, 2026. Come back to this page or sign into Beanstack for details.

What is Extreme Book Nerd for Kids?

A variation of the Extreme Book Nerd challenge for adults and teens, Extreme Book Nerd for Kids is a year-long reading challenge that starts January 6 to December 19, 2026. For independent readers, grades 1-6. Kids read 25 books aligned with specific reading categories to earn an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd for Kids prize.

Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Reading Categories

Here are the 2026 categories for the kids challenge. Participants must complete 25 of the 26 categories to earn the prize. Titles that are linked have a downloadable bookmark to help you find books on the topic:

1. A book made in to a movie
2. A historical fiction book
3. A book older than you
4. A book published the year you were born
5. A book published in 2026
6. A Newbery winner/honor book
7. A book by an author who has the same first initial as you
8. A book about a STEM subject
9. A book with an animal on the cover
10. Two books by the same author – Book 1
11. Two books by the same author – Book 2
12. A Pura Belpre Medal winner or honor book
13. A book set in medieval times
14. A book found on the top shelf
15. A book with chapter titles
16. A book with feet on the cover
17. A book that has a competition or race in it
18. book with the word “Lost” or “Found” in the title
19. A book with a mountain or clouds on the cover
20. A book that is listed on one of the 2026 EBNK booklists
21. A book you saw someone else reading
22. A book with black or white cover
23. A book on a library display
24. A book recommended by an IFPL librarian
25. A book whose author’s last name has 8 letters or more
26. A wild card (pick up at desk)

Details and Restrictions

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• Extreme Book Nerd for Kids runs January 6 to December 19, 2026.
• In this challenge, you will read 25 books in 25 categories (one book per category) by December 19, 2026. **There are 26 categories – you choose which category to skip.   See all categories.
• You must be an independent reader in grades 1-6 and not participating in the teen program.
• The title and author of every book read for Extreme Book Nerd for Kids must be recorded in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids reading log on Beanstack.
• Library staff must sign off on your completed challenge in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids reading log no later than 5:00pm on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
• Reading logs can be a journal, spreadsheet, list, or simply on Beanstack but the final list must be recorded in Beanstack at ifpl.beanstack.com.
• You can download the   Printable Book Nerd For Kids reading log (8 1/2 x 11″ PDF file download). Just remember that your books must be entered into Beanstack before reporting completion at the end.
• Books read for other reading programs and book clubs can be counted toward this challenge as long as they fit into one of the categories (i.e. summer reading program, winter reading program, book clubs, school assignments, etc.) and are completed by December 19, 2026.
• Books must be at the Junior Fiction, Junior Graphic Novels, and Junior Nonfiction level or higher. No other books from the Children’s department, including intermediate, easy readers, picture books, or board books are allowed. Magazines are not allowed.
• Books must be at least 100 pages in length.
• Books beyond the needed 25 will not be counted toward another challenge, nor will another prize be awarded.
• Participants who finish the challenge by December 19, 2026 will receive an Extreme Book Nerd for Kids sling bag.
• Only 1 category per book. You cannot use the same book for multiple categories.
• You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

To see the reading categories for our adult and teen challenges, visit our Extreme Book Nerd page.

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Details and Restrictions

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• 50 books in 50 weeks! Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way runs January 6 to December 19, 2026.
• You must be an independent reader in grades 1-6 and not participating in the teen program.
• All books that are at least 30 pages in length, excluding board books, are able to be counted toward this challenge. Magazines are not allowed.
• You must read 50 different books to complete this challenge
• The title and author of every book read for Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way must be recorded in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way reading log on Beanstack at ifpl.beanstack.com.
  • Library staff must sign off on your completed challenge in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way reading log no later than 5:00pm on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
  • Reading logs can be a journal, spreadsheet, list, or simply on Beanstack but the final list must be recorded in Beanstack at ifpl.beanstack.com.
    • You can download the   Printable Book Nerd Your Way reading log (8 1/2 x 11″ PDF file download). Just remember that your books must be entered into Beanstack before reporting completion at the end.
  • Books read for other reading programs and book clubs can be counted toward this challenge (i.e. summer reading program, winter reading program, book clubs, school assignments, etc.) and are completed by December 19, 2026.
• Books beyond the needed 50 will not be counted toward another challenge, nor will another prize be awarded.
• Participants who finish the challenge by December 19, 2026 will receive an Extreme Book Nerd for Kids sling bag.
• You can only count each book one time. No duplicate titles allowed.
• You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

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For more information about this reading challenge, contact us online or call 208-612-8460.

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