Adult & Teen Summer Reading Challenge 2025

Three postcards of Lakeland Public Library, Greetings from Florida, and the Everglades with text above "Destination: Florida, Lakeland Public Library Adult & Teen Summer Reading Challenge 2025, June 2-July 25", Reading Logs, Summer Programs, and Florida Prizes

Welcome to our Destination: Florida! Adult and Teen Summer Reading Program. Discover the places and stories that make Florida unique all summer long.

Pick up your reading log at any of our Lakeland Public Libraries and start earning tickets to be entered into one of our three grand prizes to be given away at the end of summer.

You can earn tickets in two ways:

Complete a Reading Challenge

Reading is the foundation of our summer programs, and this year we’re exploring the stories inspired by our home state and offering suggestions on things to do and see.

You can check out the books and places in our summer reading & traveling suggestions. The lists include books for both adults and teens, fiction and non-fiction.

Week One - The Florida Space Coast
Week Two - Literary Florida
Week Three - Haunted Florida
Week Four - Wild Florida
Week Five - Bygone Florida

Or, if you’re looking for something more laid back, just tell us the title of the book you’re reading.

For each week you read, write the title of the book on the corresponding week’s post card. The same title can be used for more than one week. If you spent time reading or listening to audiobooks during the week, it counts.

Bring your log into any Lakeland Library and we will stamp your log and give you a ticket to fill out for one of our three grand prizes.

There are eight weeks of summer reading. That’s eight chances to earn a ticket!
Attend a Summer Program for Adults & Teens

Join us for these in-person events.

Blossoms and Books: A Florida Literary Tea Party at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library
Saturday, June 14 at 2 pm
For ages 18 and up
You are cordially invited to join us for a literary tea party. We’ll sample Florida themed goodies, explore tea pairings with Florida books, and create crepe paper Florida flowers!

No registration is required.

Florida Talks: Cat Tales – The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther with Craig Pittman at the Lakeland Public Library
Saturday, June 28 @ 2 pm
For all ages
Join us as Craig Pittman, author of Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther, presents this stranger-than-fiction true story of the people who brought the panther back from the brink of extinction, the ones who nearly pushed the species over the edge, and the cats that were caught in the middle. This being Florida, there's more than a little weirdness, too.

Craig Pittman, also the author of the New York Times bestseller Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country, is a native Floridian. Since 1998 he has reported on environmental issues for the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times), where his coverage has won both state and national awards.

No registration is required for this free Florida Talk.

This program is offered in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Florida JEPOARDY! At the Lakeland Public Library
Saturday, July 12 at 10 am
For ages 13 and up
Think you’ve got Florida all figured out? Dive into our Sunshine State Showdown featuring Florida-themed Jeopardy, where palm trees meet pop culture and gators are just part of the fun! Ten teams of two to four people will have the opportunity to battle it out for the ultimate title of Florida Fanatic in this classic Jeopardy-style game.

Registration is required for this event. Find out more information and register beginning Saturday, July 5th at 10 AM.
Prizes and Rules
You can pick up a reading log at any Lakeland Library. Each week you read, or special event you attend earns you an entry ticket into a drawing for one of three grand prizes. You can apply your entry the prize of your choice.

This year’s prizes are:

A Florida State Park Family Annual Entrance Pass
The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides day-use park entry for up to a total of eight people entering as a group, except at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where the family pass is good for admission of up to two people, including the passholder. The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides a 33% discount at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

A Pioneers Annual Pass to the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa (MOSI)
Pioneers benefits include:
- Full year of General Admission for five people
- Complimentary Stargazing Shows at The Saunders Planetarium
- Free or discounted admission to select local attractions & 250+ science centers
- Discounts on admission for the Sky Trail Ropes Course® and SciLinx Miniature Golf Course
- Special exhibition previews
- Quarterly MOSI Newsletter
- Discounts on camps, programs, and events
- Early access to camp registrations
- Invitations to special Member-only events, programs and speaking engagements
- 10% discount on MOSI retail purchases
A Year-long Family Membership to the Florida Aquarium
This membership for 4 people includes:
- Reservations Un-Required: While reservations are always recommended, they’re no longer required for our members. So, if the currents bring you to our doors unexpectedly, simply present your membership card to enjoy your visit at your convenience.
- First Looks: Exclusive member previews let you be among the first to experience new exhibits before they’re unveiled to the public.
- Member Mornings: Enjoy the calm beneath the waves with Member First Saturdays. Membership unlocks the Aquarium doors one-hour early on 1st Saturday of every month.
- Insider Insights: Stay informed on all the Aquarium news, events, and announcements with an exclusive member newsletter sent right to your inbox and access to the Florida Aquarium newsletter, Stay Current — your one-stop spot for can’t-miss Aquarium updates.
- Share: Social butterfly? Bring the whole crew with 15% off on additional General Admission tickets.
- Shop: Take the experience home with 10% off at the gift shop.
- Dine: Fuel up with 10% off on food and non-alcoholic drinks at Florida Aquarium restaurants, Café Ray and The Cove.
- Sign Up: Secure your spot with early access and special rates on Florida Aquarium summer AquaCamps.
- Cruise with Company: Bring a buddy onboard with BOGO pricing on Florida Aquarium's Wild Dolphin Cruise.
- Explore More: Enjoy discounts at attractions throughout Florida and beyond, including over 150 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, through the Florida Aquarium Membership Reciprocal Program.
The contest closes on Saturday, July 26th.
Drawings will take place on Friday, August 1st.

The Adult & Teen Summer Reading Challenge is for participants aged 13 and up. Participants younger than 18 years old must have their parent’s or guardian’s permission to receive the prize, should they be selected as a winner. Each annual pass must have a named member who is over 18 years old and holds a valid ID.

Children 12 and younger are invited to check out our Kid’s Summer Reading Program.

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