Penguin Random House Partners With Reading Is Fundamental to Launch Fifth Annual Nationwide “Rally to Read 100” Campaign
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, has launched its fifth-annual Rally to Read 100, a six-month reading engagement campaign running from October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. This year’s program is especially meaningful as it kicks off the countdown to RIF’s 60th anniversary in 2026.
The initiative challenges children and families nationwide to pledge to read 100 books while providing free resources, activities, and inspiration to spark a lifelong love of reading. Once again, Penguin Random House proudly serves as the exclusive publishing partner, helping bring diverse stories and beloved authors to classrooms and communities across the country.
Building on the momentum of last year’s campaign, which engaged more than 600,000 children, Rally to Read 100 will once again unite educators, families, and communities through:
- The Challenge to Read 100 Books: Families and classrooms are invited to take on the six-month reading challenge, supported with book recommendations and themed activities.
- Book Sweepstakes: 100 educators will be randomly selected to win collections of 100 books each, for a total of 10,000 high-quality, diverse books donated by Barnes & Noble.
- Monthly Themes & Author Read-Alouds: Each month features a unique theme—such as community, nature, wellness, and imagination—brought to life through engaging author videos and free literacy activities (including Spanish-language options).
- Standards-Aligned Resources: Educators and families can access free classroom and at-home tools designed to keep children motivated throughout the challenge.
- National Reading Month Celebration: The campaign culminates in a live, nationwide event in March 2026, simulcast from Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City and streamed into classrooms and homes across the country.
All resources, videos, and activities are available free of charge at www.RallytoRead.org
Each month, Rally to Read 100 will showcase captivating stories by Penguin Random House authors and illustrators, alongside Barnes & Noble Storytime Picks, reflecting the campaign’s monthly themes:
- October (Community): THE DAY THE CRAYONS MADE FRIENDS by Drew Daywalt (PYR); THE BAKERY DRAGON by Devin Elle Kurtz (RHCB)
- November (Nature): TO SEE AN OWL by Matthew Cordell (RHCB); BUFFALO FLUFFALO AND PUFFALO by Bess Kalb (RHCB)
- December (Celebration): THE NUTCRACKER by Jan Brett (PYR); YAY! by Jessica Kulekjian
- January (Wellness): GOOD NIGHT THOUGHTS by Max Greenfield (PYR); MY PATH by Jana Curll
- February (Changemakers): THE COOKIE VOTE by Daniel Berstrom (RHCB); MARIANNE THE MAKER by Kelly Corrigan & Claire Corrigan Lichty (PYR)
- March (Imagination): MARGARET AND THE MOON by Dean Robbins (RHCB); THE DAY THE BOOKS DISSAPEARED by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard