The annual Maricopa County Reads summer program kicked off on June 1, and it offers prizes for all age groups based on points earned. This year's theme is "Color Our World."
The age categories are broken into pre-readers (ages 4 and under), kids (5 to 11), teens (12 to 17) and adults (18 and up).
Participants earn points by reading and by completing challenges. Each logged minute of reading earns 1 point, and different challenges are assigned different point values.
For example, kids can rack up points by picking up hobby-related comics at the library and reading them. Challenge points can also be earned by going to some of Harkins Theatres' Summer Movie Fun offerings and reading books about science.
Adults can earn challenge points by attending various types of library events and reading books set in different places around the world. This year, the True Crime in Maricopa County challenge asks participants to read two books about the notorious Phoenix Trunk Murders, "The Trunk Murderess" by Jana Bommersbach and "The Murderess: A Novel" by Laurie Notaro, write a short reflection whether Winnie Ruth Judd is innocent or guilty, share your thoughts about the case with a friend or family member and take a tour of the Old Courthouse where the trial was held.
Participants can redeem points for prizes, including coupons for free personal pizzas at Peter Piper Pizza, free Phoenix Mercury tickets, Arizona State Parks passes and more.
There will also be drawings for bigger rewards such as Phoenix Art Museum prize packs, Childsplay Theater family four-pack ticket voucher and bag of books; Childsplay Theater ticket voucher for two; Harkins Theatres family prize packs; and Uptown Jungle jump prize packs.
There is no cost for anyone to join the program, which runs through Aug 1. The registration process requires participants to choose a library system and home library.
The following library systems are participating:
- Avondale Public Library
- Buckeye Public Library
- Chandler Public Library
- Desert Foothills Library
- Fort McDowell Tribal Library
- Glendale Public Library
- Luke Air Force Base Library
- Maricopa County Library District
- Mesa Public Library
- Morristown Volunteer Library
- Peoria Public Library
- Phoenix Public Library
- Salt River Tribal Library
- Scottsdale Public Library
- Surprise Public Library
- Tempe Public Library
- Tolleson Public Library
- Wickenburg Public Library
- Youngtown Public Library
