500 Books Before Middle School

Always be learning! Inspire a deep and lifelong love of reading with JCPL's 500 Books Before Middle School, a nationwide literacy program for elementary-age students that picks up where 1000 Books Before Kindergarten leaves off. Registration is open as soon as they begin kindergarten or before they begin sixth grade.

To support this program, contact the Jefferson County Library Foundation, opens a new window.

Get Started with 500 Books

The challenge is open to all children between the start of kindergarten and the end of fifth grade!

Read for Prizes

The journey to 500 is as fun as it is easy! Earn a cool prize when you register and more when you hit the halfway and finisher marks!

And don't worry, 500 is just the beginning! Keep reading and logging to win more prizes! Participants can register up to three times total!

Prizes can be picked up at any JCPL full-service location.

A collection of small, colorful backpack charms with encouraging slogans that kids can earn by participating in 500 Books Before Middle School.

Registration Prize

For every 100 books you complete, pick up another brag tag to build your collection!

A collection of school age books that kids can earn by participating in 500 Books Before Middle School.

Midway Prize

Log 250 books and earn a free book!

Finished reading 250? Please take our midway survey!

The bookplate insert can be added into any JCPL title and features the text "In honor of 'Child's Name' completion of 500 Books Before Middle School 'Month, Year.' JCPL celebrates this achievement."

Finisher Prize

Pick another book to own and select a dedicated bookplate that will encourage other kids to read! We'll also extend an invitation for you to apply for the Teen Advisory Board.

Finished reading 500? Please take our finisher survey!

Track Your Books

Logging your 500 Books Before Middle School is a cinch!

Paper Tracking
Mark off the books you read when you pick up your paper tracker at any full-service location or download, opens a new window and print your tracker from home.

Online Tracking
Register online through Beanstack!

Search for "Beanstack" in the app store on your device and install it.
Select "Find Your School or Library" and then search for Jefferson County Public Library.
Sign in or sign up for an account.
Enter the title of the book you read or scan the ISBN number with your device's camera.

Android Tutorial | Apple Tutorial

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Events for School-Age Readers

These special programs at JCPL are perfect for getting kids excited about books, reading and all things learning.

Events

One Book at a Time

What books count toward 500 Books Before Middle School? All of them! You can reread your favorites, have books read to you, listen to audiobooks, even books your read for school count!

Looking for a place to start? Let these specially curated lists get you going!

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