Dare to explore, Read City!
Join us for our most exciting challenge yet! Bring your curiosity and sense of adventure as you complete fun, exploratory missions to "level up" and earn prizes at the library. Mayor Jacobs has challenged us to complete 100,000 missions in 2024.
What's different this year? You'll complete literacy activities that include creating a game character, drawing, reading, writing, and exploring, instead of logging reading time. Complete as few as 5 missions to earn a prize from the "loot box".
Explore even more!
Get ready for epic summer adventure in the Quest for Knowledge game. It's simple to play and, most importantly, fun! The game kicks off on Saturday, May 18 at the Children's Festival of Reading and all library locations.
Complete literary missions like listening, exploring, writing, drawing, playing, crafting, and of course, reading. Our amazing summer programming will be back, and every time you attend counts as a mission towards your goal.
Every 5 missions you complete, earn a "loot box" prize from the library. If you complete 25 missions (all 5 levels), earn a bonus achievement prize. Kids earn a prize pack that includes treats and adventures from area businesses and organizations. Adults earn a tote bag.
Level up!
Our first challenge of the year was such a success, thanks to you! Together, we completed nearly 30,000 missions in the Daring Deeds Adventure Game.
Our real-life adventurers Amelia, David, Jacques, Sophia, Matthew, and Neil inspired us to be curious, bold, and brave as we explored new books, literary genres, forms of response, resources, and programs. Way to go, Read City!
We can't wait for our summer adventure to begin.
2024 Schedule
Challenge #1
Real-Life Adventure
- Completed! (30,000 missions)
One Book Read City
- One Book author Ashlyn Anstee will join us at the Children's Festival of Reading on May 18
Challenge #2
Epic/Fantasy Adventure
- May 18–August 7
Challenge #3
Build Your Own Adventure
- October 1–November 30
Upcoming events
Print your own Read City activities
Fashion your own diving mask inspired by explorer and inventor Jacques Cousteau.
Soar to new heights with an aviator helmet, complete with goggles!
Launch your own rocket and shooting star with this one-page printable activity.
Create a masterpiece in pixels! Use a grid of small squares to depict yourself, a favorite literary character, or even a pet.
Style your own character for adventures untold! Optional: Use to play the Daring Deeds Adventure Game or to make your Character Sheet come to life.
Climb to new heights with your own mountain climber character. Optional: Use to play the Daring Deeds Adventure Game.
Read City USA
Led by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, READ CITY USA is a collaborative initiative of Knox County Government, Knox County Public Library, Knox County Schools, and other community organizations to help all children learn to read early and well, thereby reaching their full potential in school and in life.