10 Books To Celebrate ‘What a Gift a Book Is!’ + Activities 2026
May 11, 2026
Here are 8 creative ways to expand reading horizons for K-6th graders, focusing on choice, engagement, and community:
🌟 1. "Blind Date" with a Book
Wrap books in brown paper.
Write 3-4 descriptive clues or keywords on the front. Include a "Rate Your Date" slip inside.
Students choose based solely on the clues. This stops readers from judging books by covers.
🗺️ 2. Genres Passport Reading
Print "Genre Reading Passports." use your library's genres to inspire kids to read outside their preferred genres. Kids check off reading outside their comfort zone, add title and do a Alexandria book review. Once the read in X-number of categories, they receive a small milestones prize.
🏆 3. "Graphic Novel Vs. Free Verse"
Feature a Graphic Novel Book versus same author Novel/Free Verse book, and have fun investigating storytelling. What is absolutely fun is to read the Free Verse live and project the Graphic novel and respond to your own vision versus the illustrator's vision. Students can do a short compare-contrast writing, citing three key reasons they preferred one over the other! They can all vote for their favorite.
There's no way to lose with this activity.
🎟️ 4. Book Scavenger Hunts
Turn to deep reading. Read once, read again...
Then, "Scavenger" deep inside the book so really see how books are created. Riddle-style clues or simple response worksheet or Google Form. This is an easy way to point out what makes each book special.
🎲 5. First Chapter Challenges
First Chapter Challenges are a great way to support ELA Teachers, reinforce learning targets, and get kids excited abut books. Have students read: Hot-Seat read Walk-N-Read (this really helps nervous readers think more about what their feet are doing and project and encourage theatrics). A real game changer! Present a copy on the overhead for students to read along, or not, you will still have kids loving this activity. You can do a targeted activity on Google forms present a quick Turn-N-Talk activity.
Either way, this one is a big hit.
How to Import:
1) Go to Builder >>
2) Bulletin Boards >>
3) Click Actions>
4) Select Import>>
5) Follow the prompts.
There's a whole lotta fun to be had by doing more with books. You can literally stand at the entrance of your library and count all the possibilities. This only names a few. Enjoy! Share ideas and set up for a great next year by prepping these activities into your library experience.
