KPL Global Reading Challenge 6:30-8pm
The Global Reading Challenge is a Battle of the Books program sponsored by the Kalamazoo Public Library. The Challenge promotes the reading of fiction and nonfiction that celebrate the world’s diverse community. The Global Reading Challenge is limited to 4th- and 5th-grade classes within the Kalamazoo Public Library District.
Global Reading Challenge Objectives
To promote the love of reading (and have fun)
To promote the use of public libraries as neighborhood and community resource centers
To introduce children to a wide variety of literature and multicultural reading materials (and have fun)
To provide a recreational outlet for readers
To encourage children to participate in a group activity (and have fun)
To encourage children to read for retention
To provide positive experiences between children, librarians, teachers, and parents (and have fun)
To form partnership with local schools and businesses, and strengthen community ties
To build confidence and integrity in young readers (and have fun)
To participate in a public library activity that promotes reading as a pleasurable lifelong experience.
How it Works
Ten books are selected each year by Kalamazoo children’s librarians, especially suited to the reading interests of their young readers. A wide range of reading levels is represented by selected books so all students can participate in the Challenge. Questions are based on specific factual and content information found within the 10 selected books.
2025 GRC Titles:
Eb & Flow by Kelly Baptist
Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard
When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Varga
I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871by Lauren Tarshis
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
Oliver’s Great Big Universe by Jorge Cham
More information can be found here: https://www.kpl.gov/global-reading-challenge/