Beanstack Blog

How to Build a Teen Reading Program

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:01 GMT

Picture this: the bell rings for independent reading, and a handful of teens happily open their books. Across the room, others glance at their phones, shuffle papers, or mutter that they "just don't like reading." If this scene feels familiar, you're not alone. Reading motivation among teens is genuinely slipping, and every educator and librarian working with middle and high schoolers sees it.

But here's the thing: the challenge isn't hopeless. Teens haven't stopped craving stories. Whether you're trying to spark initial interest or sustain momentum over time, there are research-backed strategies, examples, and digital tools that can help you build a reading program that older students genuinely want to participate in.

Introducing the Reading Motivation Index (RMI)

Joyful Reading Company Team — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:35:14 GMT

The Reading Motivation Index (RMI) is the first and only product designed to measure reading motivation — and turn those insights into meaningful action.

Summer Reading for Adults: Creative Ideas to Expand Engagement

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:36:03 GMT

For many libraries, summer reading has long been synonymous with kids and teens. But that’s changing. Adult readers are showing up with real interest when programs are designed with their lives in mind. The most successful adult programs don’t feel like assignments. They feel like invitations: to slow down, try something new, reconnect with reading, and feel part of a larger community. With the right structure and tools, libraries can offer programs that are flexible, inclusive, and genuinely fun, without adding extra work for staff.

How to Run an Impactful Summer Reading Program

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Every summer, librarians and educators face the same challenge: how do you keep kids reading when school is out, schedules are loose, and distractions are everywhere?

The stakes are real. Students who don't read over the summer lose significant ground in literacy skills, a phenomenon known as the "summer slide." For many children, especially those without ready access to books at home, that gap can be hard to close once the school year begins.

Summer reading programs are the proven solution. But running one that actually moves the needle takes more than setting up a challenge and hoping families engage. This post covers both why summer reading programs matter and how to make yours as effective as possible with Beanstack.

Make Summer Reading Simple: Your 2026 Challenge Is Ready to Go

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:05:24 GMT

Summer is full of potential for reading—but without structure, it can be hard to turn that potential into lasting habits.

That’s why the 2026 Beanstack Summer Reading Challenge is built to make things easy.

For schools and libraries already using Beanstack, this year’s challenge comes as a ready-to-launch template designed to help you engage your community without adding to your workload.

Meet Joyful Reading Company

Felix Brandon Lloyd — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite things during my years as a classroom teacher and school administrator was watching my students light up over a story they love. That spark, that pure joy, that lifelong memory it creates, is why we built Beanstack. And today, we’re excited to share our next chapter with you.

Beanstack and Comics Plus are now The Joyful Reading Company.

Together, we’re creating a connected ecosystem that inspires reading, expands access, and demonstrates impact — all in one place.

To put it simply, we’re bringing more stories, more motivation, more fun, and, of course, more joy.

Celebrating Women’s History Month Through Reading

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:18:00 GMT

March brings longer days, hints of spring, and a meaningful opportunity for schools and libraries to celebrate Women’s History Month. One of the most powerful ways to do so is through reading.

Stories don’t just share information. They spark curiosity, build empathy, and introduce us to people who changed the world. By intentionally centering women’s voices in your reading initiatives this March, you can inspire readers, strengthen literacy skills, and energize your community in ways that feel both purposeful and fun.

Reading List Challenges to Boost Student Reading | Beanstack

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Students today face endless options and endless distractions. Abundance can quickly turn into choice overload. When only 35% of children and young people say they enjoy reading in their free time, according to the National Literacy Trust, reading needs to feel focused, not overwhelming.

Reading list challenges offer that focus. They pair curated, curriculum-connected titles with clear goals and optional content links, giving students structure without taking choice away.

Winter Reading Wins: Simple Ways to Keep Students Engaged

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Winter has a way of slowing things down. Cozy afternoons, quieter mornings, and a natural pause in the school-year rush can open up unexpected space for reading. This seasonal shift creates meaningful opportunities to support students as readers.

Winter reading helps students build confidence, establish gentle consistency, and rediscover a love of books—whether that means listening to a read-aloud in elementary school or choosing independent titles in high school.

The good news? Keeping kids reading through winter does not require extra work. With a few simple, flexible strategies, educators can support readers across grade levels and settings, right when it matters most.

Join Our 2026 April Library Love Reading Challenge

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:05:03 GMT

This April, we’re inviting public and school libraries nationwide to join us in our second annual April Library Love Challenge! From National Library Week to Diá, April is a time to celebrate libraries and librarians, and this challenge is designed to do just that. It’s an opportunity to encourage reading, promote library resources, and celebrate everything you do for your communities.