Maricopa County Reads is an online summer reading program for all ages! This year’s slogan is “Unearth a Story”. Pre-registration begins May 1 and you can start logging activity from June 1 to July 20, 2026 (these are new dates!). Its aim is to help maintain and improve literacy skills and emphasize the fun of reading for participants of all ages, including adults! Only one account per person.
Create an account online at http://maricopacountyreads.org or with the help of your local library. Earn one point for every minute you read and enter these online. You can earn additional points and unlock digital badges by completing challenges, finding secret codes, visiting a community experiences and library events. Your library can help enter your activity. You can also track your reading with a paper gameboard. Check with your local library to see if they have one for you to take home, or print one directly from your dashboard. Be sure to enter this activity into the software to be eligible for prizes. Click here to learn more about how to track reading on your gameboard.
You can sign up at http://maricopacountyreads.org or at your local library starting May 1! You do need an online account to track points and earn prizes.
Log in to http://maricopacountyreads.org. The reading log is located in the center of your dashboard. Enter the number of minutes you have read and click “Log Minutes.” The book title and author fields are optional and there if you want to track those things. View your list of titles by selecting “My Profile” and “Books”. Click here to learn more about how to track reading on your gameboard.
This approach is inclusive for struggling and beginning readers and those with cognitive disabilities who might take longer to read a book. This creates a program that is accessible to all ages and reading levels. It also encourages consistent reading each day, even if it is for short periods each day.
Badges are in-game marks of achievement. You can earn badges by entering minutes into your reading log, completing reading and activity challenges, and entering secret codes given out at library events and community experiences.
A community experience that takes place outside of the library at a community partner’s organization. These events can include workshops, classes, festivals, tasks, scavenger hunts, and more. These special events provide kids with the experiential knowledge that is a key component of literacy.
To browse for community experiences, click here. You can search by program type or location or use a keyword. The description of the community experience will pop-up. You can also find a list of local community experiences at your library.
When you visit one of our community partners for an experience, you will receive a secret code. Type the secret code into your account to receive bonus points and a special badge!
From your account, select “Click Here to Customize Your Avatar.” Customize your avatar by selecting hair, facial features, clothing, etc. When you are happy with your changes click “Save Avatar” and “Return to Dashboard.”
Be on the lookout for new avatar accessories, special accessories will be unlocked throughout the summer.
To earn prizes, you must create an account and log your activity online at maricopacountyreads.org. Earn points by reading, completing challenges and finding secret codes. You will earn prizes at 500, 750, and 1,000 points (other point milestones may vary by library). Pick up prizes from your library as you play. No need to wait until the end of the program!
Log 20 minutes of reading every day for a chance to win awesome weekly drawing prizes! Prize drawings are held throughout the summer and at the end of the program. Prizes, drawing criteria, and frequency of drawings may vary by library.
Please contact your local library for more information about available prizes, these may vary.
You can pick up your food prize and AZ State Parks Pass at your library. The last day to pick up these prizes is August 1. A link will be provided in an in-game message to redeem your Phoenix Mercury tickets, this will take you to the website where you can pick your game and redeem your tickets.
Free books are awarded at 1,000 points—redemption instructions are sent in a message to your in-game mailbox (envelope icon). Select from over 150 titles for all ages. Books ship usually ship within a couple of weeks of ordering. You will receive an email when it is ready for pick up from your library. The last day to order is August 1, 2026. Please send an in-game message if you have any difficulty.
Prize book selection is based on availability of titles from the publisher. Participants whose title has been backordered (no longer available) will get a new book code to select a different title.
Please allow 3-5 business days for your book order to process and to update in your account. If you do not see an update in your shipment tracker after that time please reach out via in-game message. Prize books are packed and shipped off site so shipping timelines will vary depending on title availability, staffing, and volume of orders. Your shipment tracker will update when your book order is processed, when it ships, and when it is ready for pick up.
When your order has been processed a shipment tracker will appear on your dashboard. This will update when your book has shipped and when it is ready for pick up. You will also receive an email when it is ready at the email address you provide at sign up.
Yes! If you would like to donate your book to a child, simply click on the 'Donate your book' option on your 'My Profile' page. Donated books will go to organizations that support youth in your community.
If you have signed up as a family or group you can access everyone’s book code from the ‘Family’ tab. To locate your family account:
To add an individual username/password:
You can apply minutes read and secret codes to multiple family accounts at once. To add minutes read:
To add a secret code to multiple accounts:
Organizations can create one account and add participants. To join as a group, one individual signs up and under 'My Profile' selects family. Add participants until your 'family' grows to 16. The system will prompt you to upgrade to a 'Group'. Groups like summer camps, childcare centers, group homes, and other organizations can easily manage multiple participant accounts. There is no limit to the number of members in a group account.
Secret codes (like the one found at the bottom of this FAQ) can be found at your library, given out at library events and community experiences, as well as on social media. To check out the events happening near you, click the “Events” tab on your dashboard. If you don’t see a secret code posted at a library event, please ask library staff. Enter your secret code in the Secret Code box on your dashboard or apply a secret code to multiple family members from the “Family” page.
Once you reach 1,000 points there is still more to do! You will continue to be eligible for prize drawings throughout the program, so continue reading and entering your minutes. You can also continue to complete challenges and enter secret codes by attending programs or community experiences. New this year challenge yourself by setting your own personal point goal beyond 1,000. Head to the ‘My Profile’ page and enter your goal in the ‘Points I will earn’ box.
Reading beyond 1,000 minutes will help us reach our countywide goal of reading 110,000,000 minutes together!
The library will never share your personal information—privacy and confidentiality are essential to the library and the Summer Reading Program. We will only use your name and contact info to alert you about important summer reading updates.
Once you are logged in, click the Mail icon at the top of the screen. Click “Send Mail” to ask your question.
secret code: thanksforreading