READING · 2026/27

THE GREGORY HALL
READING CHALLENGE.

40 reasons to pick up a book you might never have chosen yourself.

THE IDEA

DON’T READ MORE.
READ WIDER.

The challenge is not about racing through as many books as possible. It encourages children to step outside their usual choices — discovering new authors, genres, places, periods and ideas.

01
CHOOSE
Pick one of the reading prompts.

02
READ
Find a book that fits it.

03

04
KEEP GOING
Choose another prompt and discover something new.

  1. A book translated from another language

  2. A book written before you were born

  3. A book written before your grandparents were born

  4. A book set somewhere you have never been

  5. A book from or about a country you know almost nothing about

  6. A book by an author whose name you have never heard before

  7. A book you think you won't like

  8. A book chosen for you by someone else

  9. A book with uneven number of chapters

  10. A book that provokes strong emotion

  11. A book from a genre you normally avoid

  12. A book intended for someone older than you

  13. A book spotted in films or cartoons.

  14. A book with no pictures at all

  15. A book with a day of the week in the title

  16. A story set in Scotland

  17. Author’s first and last name start with the same letter

  18. A book with an unusual shape, format or design

  19. A book whose cover you dislike

  20. A book whose cover makes you curious

  21. A book about an ordinary life

  22. A book about someone very unlike you

  23. Any guidebook

  24. A book where you don't like the main character

  25. A book with an ending you disagree with

  26. A book written by two or more people under one pen name

  27. A book published in 2026

  28. A book that makes you want to look something up

  29. A book containing an idea you want to argue with

  30. A book that teaches you something without being a textbook

  31. A book connected to a real historical event

  32. A book connected to a painting, artist, building or piece of music

  33. A book based on folklore, myth or legend

  34. A book that has been banned or challenged somewhere

  35. A book that has won an award

  36. Ask a librarian: read whatever they choose for you

  37. The first shelf: choose a shelf, count 7 books along, investigate that book

  38. Follow the trail: choose a book mentioned inside another book

  39. One degree away: read another book connected to something you've already read

  40. Mrs Gregory's Wild Card: I choose your book. No negotiations. 😈