2026
Summer Reading Challenge
“Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” ~Booker T. Washington
This year, we’ll be giving you a taste of what it is like here at Lamplighter with a mini Guild experience! Each week you will receive a new creative challenge along with your reading that will stretch you to new heights of excellence and a greater desire to serve your Master with diligence and fervor. Let the challenge begin!
Challenge Begins
May 25th-August 14th
Challenge Overview: Grow spiritually, mentally, and creatively as you pursue excellence in the Arts and read great literature from times past! Scroll below for the “How it Works” section, and start reading! Download the Reading Point Tracker and Weekly Challenge Tracker to keep track of your points and weekly challenge submissions.
Note: You will receive weekly emails with more information when the challenge begins in May.
Have Questions about the Challenge?
See the Frequently Asked Questions below, and if your question is still unanswered, send your question to [email protected].
How it works:
This year’s challenge is based on completing weekly creative projects and reading great literature. Use the dropdown feature below to see how this year’s challenge works.
Point Requirements, Tracks & Prizes
Choose Your Track
Track 1: Pre-reader Track
Recommended for children who cannot yet read fluently on their own.
Earn a minimum of 500 points and receive a PDF download of one of Lamplighter Theatre’s drama posters. (There is no grand prize winner for this track; however, the top three participants with the most points in this category will each receive a $25 eCertificate.)
Track 2: Literate Elementary Track
Recommended for young children who can read fluently on their own.
Earn a minimum of 2,000 points and receive a $25 coupon toward a Lamplighter Theatre audio drama MP3 or eBook or Poster PDF.
1st Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal, Lamplighter T-Shirt, Lamplighter Sticker, Special Bookmark, and $45 eCertificate
2nd Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal and $35 eCertificate
3rd Place: Lamplighter T-Shirt and a $25 eCertificate
Track 3: Junior High Track
Earn a minimum of 3,000 points and receive a $30 coupon toward a Lamplighter Theatre audio drama MP3 or eBook or Poster PDF.
1st Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal, Lamplighter T-Shirt, Lamplighter Hat, Lamplighter Sticker, Special Bookmark, and $45 eCertificate
2nd Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal and $35 eCertificate
3rd Place: Lamplighter T-Shirt and a $25 eCertificate
Track 4: High School Track
Earn a minimum of 3,500 points and receive a $35 coupon toward a Lamplighter Theatre audio drama MP3 or eBook or Poster PDF.
1st Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal, Lamplighter T-Shirt, Lamplighter Hat, Lamplighter Sticker, Special Bookmark, and $45 eCertificate
2nd Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal and $35 eCertificate
3rd Place: Lamplighter T-Shirt and a $25 eCertificate
Track 5: Adult Track (Age 18+)
Earn a minimum of 3,500 points and receive a $45 coupon toward a Lamplighter Theatre audio drama MP3 or eBook or Poster PDF. (Click HERE to check out our Scholar Collection.)
1st Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal, Lamplighter T-Shirt, Lamplighter Mug, Lamplighter Sticker, Special Bookmark, and $45 eCertificate
2nd Place: Lamplighter Reading Journal and $35 eCertificate
3rd Place: Lamplighter T-Shirt and a $25 eCertificate
Weekly Challenge Winners
Every week you will receive an email with a weekly creative challenge that you can complete and submit in addition to your reading points. There will be two weekly challenge winners every week (one for pre-reader through elementary and one for junior high through adult) who will be chosen based on the quality and overall execution of their submission.
Weekly Winners will choose one prize from the list below:
2 Prize Brackets (Pre-reader-Elementary & Junior high-Adult)
1. T-Shirt
2. New Audioclub membership (2-months free)
2. $25 coupon valid for any digital product
How to Submit Weekly Challenges
You can submit your weekly challenge through the link in the corresponding weekly email, or submit through the link that will be posted on the Summer Reading Challenge page when the challenge begins.
Note: All submissions must be submitted by the weekly deadline in order to qualify for a weekly prize. If you miss a deadline, you can still submit your entry to qualify for the grand prizes at the end of the Summer Reading Challenge. Files must be named according to the following format: Last Name_First Name_Challenge #
If your submission is a video, please submit as a youtube link or another free video platform.
Download Reading Point Tracker
Download Weekly Challenge Tracker
Frequently Asked Questions
What Books can I read?
You may read any Lamplighter Publishing title. You may also read any Christian biography, non-fiction books pertaining to the weekly challenges (e.g. a business leadership book), or any of the titles listed in the weekly recommended reading.
Note for parents: If your children would like to read non-fiction books outside of the weekly recommendations, please use discernment as to the content of the book.
Can I still win a prize if I start the challenge late?
Yes! If you have missed the deadline to be a weekly challenge winner, you can still go back and complete all of the weekly challenges and read enough points to qualify for a grand prize! You do not have to win any weekly challenges to qualify for the grand prizes.
How Do I complete a weekly challenge?
To complete the weekly challenges and qualify as a weekly winner, you must:
a) read the entire email/blog
b) complete and submit the challenge via the included submission link
c) Submit your submission by the deadline given in the weekly email (usually the Saturday following the weekly email)
Can I have help with any of the weekly challenges?
Absolutely! Check each weekly challenge to see if it can be completed as a group project, and if that is the case, you can help each other make one big project and submit for points.* You can count that one project individually at end of the Summer Reading Challenge to qualify for the grand-prize.
*Weekly challenges submitted as group projects only qualify for one weekly prize.
Can I Listen to Audio Dramas or audiobooks?
Yes! While this is primarily a reading challenge, we do encourage you to listen to good stories as well as read them. You may listen to any Lamplighter Theatre Audio drama or Lamplighter Audiobook. Audio dramas and audiobooks can only be listened to once per title, and each is worth 25 points.
