Kick Off a Coast-to-Coast Reading Challenge This March
Get ready for a reading journey that spans the country! This March, Epic is teaming up with Beanstack to sponsor the Read Across America Challenge, inviting schools nationwide to celebrate the joy of reading, diversity and discovery.
Designed for students in grades PK–8, the challenge encourages readers to explore online books that introduce new places, cultures and perspectives. From the Great Plains to vibrant cities like New York and Los Angeles, students can travel the United States through the power of books.
Read, Explore and Discover America
Read Across America is a nationwide celebration that brings the power and joy of reading to life for students everywhere. This challenge turns their online reading into an adventure, as kids log their progress and collect themed badges along the way.
The best part? These stories take readers on a journey across the country. With each book, students explore real places across the United States through stories grounded in authentic settings.
They might travel to Hawai‘i with Ho‘onani: Hula Warrior, march to the beat of The 5 O’Clock Band in New Orleans or discover the quiet wonders of Arizona’s desert in Cactus Hotel. These books aren’t just stories—they’re invitations to experience different parts of the country, and to connect with the people, cultures and communities that make them special. That’s what makes Read Across America such a meaningful journey!
Challenge Accepted, Prizes Unlocked
This year, all participating K–8 schools have a chance to win exciting rewards from Epic, awarded to top-performing reading communities that go all in on the challenge:
Grand Prize (1 school)
Get ready for a virtual visit from Cat Ninja author Matt Cody (plus five signed copies to give away to lucky readers!).
Honorable Mention (4 schools)
Stock your shelves with a bundle of ten brand-new books for your library.
Runner-Up (5 schools)
Host a reading celebration with a $100 prize to make it extra special.
Because when students read big, their school community wins too!
Join Us This March!
Teaming up with Beanstack makes joining Read Across America a breeze. Beanstack helps you track reading and keep students motivated, while Epic gives kids access to thousands of amazing digital books that spark curiosity, build confidence and take them on unforgettable journeys.
Want a Sneak Peek at How It All Works?
Join us on March 3rd for a special webinar: Beanstack + Epic: March Reading Challenge Kickoff! We’ll walk through how to set up your school’s challenge, show how Epic and Beanstack work together to support student engagement and answer any questions you have about getting started. Register here and come ready to rally your readers!
Already using Beanstack? Check out the launch kit and learn how to set up a challenge now! Not a Beanstack partner, and want to learn more? Get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What is the Read Across America Challenge?
The Read Across America Challenge is a nationwide reading celebration sponsored by Epic in partnership with Beanstack. Designed for students in grades PK–8, the challenge invites schools across the country to turn reading into a coast-to-coast adventure. Students explore online books set in real places across the United States, discover new cultures and communities, and earn themed digital badges as they log their reading. The challenge celebrates the joy of reading online while helping students connect with geography, diversity, and discovery through books.
▶ Who can participate?
Any K–8 school in the U.S. can join the challenge, whether you’re an existing Beanstack or Epic user—or new to both.
▶ When does the challenge take place?
The Read Across America Challenge runs throughout the month of March.
▶ How do students participate?
Students log their reading in Beanstack and explore thousands of engaging books on Epic. As they read, they earn digital badges tied to locations across the country—turning their reading into a virtual road trip!
▶ What kinds of books are included?
The challenge features titles rooted in authentic settings such as Ho‘onani: Hula Warrior (Hawai‘i), The 5 O’Clock Band (New Orleans), and Cactus Hotel (Arizona). These books help kids connect with geography, culture, and community through storytelling.
▶ Are there prizes?
Yes! Epic is awarding prizes to top-performing school communities:
- Grand Prize (1 school): Virtual author visit from Cat Ninja creator Matt Cody plus five signed books
- Honorable Mention (4 schools): Bundle of 10 new books for your library
- Runner-Up (5 schools): $100 to host a library celebration
▶ How can I learn more before the challenge starts?
We’re hosting a free webinar on March 3: Beanstack + Epic: March Reading Challenge Kickoff! We’ll cover everything you need to know, answer questions, and help you hit the ground running.
