Welcome back to Sages Read — an all-ages community reading challenge that we hope will inspires you to stretch your reading in new and interesting ways! And to share about the books you're reading! Feel free to tag @SagesRead on Instagram and Facebook for any of your book posts and recommendations. We love sharing them with other Sages Read-ers!

Sages Read is a joint initiative of Allerton Public Library, Monticello (IL) Community School teachers and librarians, and Monticello-area book lovers and readers. Need help finding books to fit a particular challenge? Feel free to ask a friendly neighborhood or school librarian! You can also ask for recommendations on our Facebook and Instagram pages, check what other Sages Read-ers have shared there, and browse the challenges on the StoryGraph app to see what others have added.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2026?
We're celebrating our EIGHTH year! As you may have heard, Hartfield Book Co., one of our founding organizers, is closing its doors this year — but not without making sure that Sages Read is in good hands. Allerton Public Library (APL) will administer the 2026 program and host the physical prizes. We'll do a shorter year (June through December) with fewer challenges (just 12 books to reach Book Mage!) and a shorter prize pick-up window (prizes available starting in September). Other than that, it's the same Sages Read you've come to love — pick up a challenge sheet from Allerton Public Library (APL), your school library, or below, OR make a copy of the online challenge tracker and start reading!  

2026 CHALLENGES
Each challenge must be met by a different book read in June through December of 2026 and recorded on the challenge sheet (below or pick up at the library) or online tracker. Book Worm and Book Dragon prizes may be picked up at the library anytime after September 1. Book Mages will be notified when their prizes are ready to pick up in January.

  1. A book with fire, a horse, or a fire horse in the title or on the cover (2026 is the year of the fire horse — a year of bold change!)
  2. ​A book that matches your shirt (post a pic and tag @SagesRead!)
  3. A book with a great dedication
  4. A book by an author who has also been a teacher or librarian
  5. A book by an author who was born in a country other than the United States
  6. A book that features a heist or quest
  7. A book with an Asian or Latine/x main character
  8. A book about resistance (fiction or nonfiction)
  9. A book set during the American Revolution (See the America250 Reading List by PBS Books for some great choices!)
  10. A book that reimagines or retells a classic story
  11. A book that is a read-alike for a book, show, or movie that you like
  12. A book recommended by someone younger than you

PRIZE LEVELS
BOOK WORM  Read four books that complete four challenges. Record your four books on your sheet or tracker, show it to the APL librarian anytime after September 1 and pick a bookish prize from the treasure box!
BOOK DRAGON  Read eight books that complete eight challenges. Record four more books (eight total) on your sheet or tracker, show it to the APL library anytime after September 1 and pick a book from the book vault!
BOOK MAGE Read 12 books that complete all 12 challenges. Turn in your completed sheet or tracker to the APL librarian by the end of the year to receive a satchel of bibliomagic (a tote bag of books chosen just for you)!

This year’s prizes are made possible by donations from Hartfield Book Co., Allerton Public Library, the Monticello Education Association (MEA), and private donors. Thank you! 

QUESTIONS?
Don't hesitate to ask your friendly neighborhood or school librarians!
Happy Reading!
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