Teens, we’re just a few short weeks away from the kickoff of our 2026 “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading Program here at A.K. Smiley Public Library and we hope you’re excited. I can’t wait to tell you about what’s coming your way. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions (that no one’s ever actually asked me).
Will the 2026 “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading Program offer a teen book club? Yes! Pick up a FREE copy of The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Ross (YA Thriller), (S)kin by Ibi Zoboi (YA Fantasy), and/or American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Fad that Haunted a Nation by Barb Rosenstock (YA Nonfiction) from the Young Readers’ Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library any time between June 18th and July 28th while supplies last. Be sure to talk to your parents about which books may be a good fit for you! We’ve linked some reviews on our Teen Summer Book Club registration page (available from www.akspl.org/teens) to help. These copies are yours to keep forever, so feel free to write in them, cry on them, build a sandcastle around them, run through the sprinklers with them, drip popsicles on them, sunbathe next to them, take them camping, pack them in a suitcase, seatbelt them to a roller coaster, lock them in a vault, or whatever you like. Choose one or get all three (while supplies last). Then come to the Teen Summer Book Club Party on July 29 to talk about them and feast!
Will the 2026 “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading Program offer any teen workshops or gatherings? Of course! We have a Teen Clay Hand Building Workshop with Redlands Pottery Project, a Make-and-Take Collaboration with Feel Good Market, a Turmeric Anthotype Print Makers’ Lab (where attendees will make art using turmeric and the sun), a Video Game Tournament (with prizes), our Teen Writers’ Club, and more, all in the works and waiting for you this summer. Everything is free…my favorite price! Some of the events do require pre-registration, so check the Teens’ page of our website (www.akspl.org/teens) in the next couple weeks for all the details if you’re interested.
What about a teen reading challenge with prizes…will there be one? Yes. We will have reading logs in the form of BINGO cards with a lot of creative ideas to save you from a summer slump. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking you’re way too old (or way too young) for BINGO. But what you don’t yet realize is this is not your average BINGO. This is TEEN BINGO. See? Case closed!
Just kidding…I will tell you that in addition to reading, this BINGO card will challenge you to do things like character cosplay, cook something from a recipe, invent a villain, look at the night sky, make a fifteen second movie that captures your summer life, and do other creative things to keep your creative juices from drying up. For every BINGO you complete, you will earn opportunity drawing tickets that offer a chance to win fabulous prizes throughout the summer.
Are some of the prizes the cutest stickers you’ve ever seen? How did you know? Library Specialist and amazing, amazing, amazing (she’s so amazing I had to say it three times) artist RA designed original stickers that go with our “Plant a Seed, Read!” theme to giveaway as teen prizes. When you see these stickers, you will do anything to get one…even reading challenges and character cosplay and making a movie about your summer life! I will do my best to describe them. The stickers are little animal/fruit/vegetable hybrids…there’s Pugshroom, Mewcantosh, Little Lettuce Cat, and more. You will definitely want to collect them all. And stickers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to prizes. We’ll also be giving away a neon sign of a tomato to hang in your room, gift cards to local businesses, and more!
Starting June 18, Redlands Unified School District will be here serving “Lunch at the Library” every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. to young people ages 0-19 while supplies last. Feed your body and your brain at the very same time!
Teens, I am planting the little seed in your head right now that the library wishes to be one of your favorite places to be this summer. We really hope we have something in our “Plant a Seed, Read!” line-up that is calling your name. Bring a friend or make new ones!
Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library who is really hoping for a green thumb this summer.