Reading Link Challenge 2024–2025

For over a decade, FVRL and other Lower Mainland libraries have participated in the Reading Link Challenge (RLC), a student reading competition celebrating the “sport of reading.” RLC is wildly popular with schools in our region, and it's always a highlight of our year! Read on to learn more about RLC and how we support this event in our communities.

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What Is Reading Link Challenge?

The Reading Link Challenge is an exciting annual event held in libraries throughout the Lower Mainland, aimed at encouraging young readers in Grades 4 and 5. Teams of students participate by reading a set list of books and testing their comprehension and teamwork skills in a fun, competitive quiz format. 

The challenge fosters a love of reading while promoting literacy, critical thinking and student collaboration. It’s a highly anticipated event that inspires students to engage with books and develop their reading abilities in a supportive, community-driven environment.

How Does It Work?

Library staff work with school librarians and teachers to recruit teams. Teams compete in a series of trivia-style challenges based on six books, which change yearly. Competitions take place at the school, library and community levels throughout the school year. Then, the winning teams from FVRL, Coquitlam, North Vancouver City, New Westminster and Surry Library systems compete at our Grand Challenge in May. 

Last year, two FVRL teams brought home medals! Abbotsford's Ruthless Readers won second place, while Langley's Evermore Readers came in third.

This year, FVRL is excited to host the Grand Challenge event in Port Coquitlam. The Grand Challenge is always an exciting, raucous evening as the kids compete to be the ultimate champions! 

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Abbotsford's Ruthless Readers won second place at last year's RLC Grand Challenge.
 

How Are the Books Chosen?

Reading Link Challenge books are chosen by a panel of library staff from FVRL and partnering libraries. We strive to choose a set of books that will appeal to a wide audience. The team actively looks for books that:

• include multicultural content and celebrate diversity as integral to an inclusive, vibrant community
• received positive reviews in library journals
• appeal to a wide variety of readers
• vary in reading level
• include titles by BC and Canadian authors
• are available in paperback

If you have a book suggestion for RLC, email Jessica Smith

RLC Book Titles 2024 – 2025

Learn more about the six RLC titles in this special Kids' ReadRadio podcast. 

Ask your library about accessible formats of the RLC books, available through CELA and NNELS.