Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Summer Reading Challenge Chart: Free Printable Chart for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Summer Reading Challenge Chart is a free printable chart for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children add a sticker for every book they finish and write down the title, the author and a star rating from 1 to 5. It needs only paper, a pencil and some stickers, and it is screen free.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet is a table for children to fill in over the summer. Each time they finish a book, they write down the book title and the author. They then give the book a score from 1 to 5 stars and add a sticker in the My sticker column. The chart grows as they read, so children can see their progress on the page.
- Book title
- Author
- Stars (1 to 5)
- My sticker
Ways to build a reading habit
Pick a regular spot
Keep the chart on the fridge or by the bed. When it is easy to see, it is easy to remember. Filling it in becomes part of finishing a book.
Choose a sticker together
Let your child pick the stickers. Gold stars, animals or football badges all work. A sticker they like makes finishing a book feel like a small win.
Read in different ways
Reading alone, reading aloud and sharing a book with a grown-up all build the habit. Mix them up so reading never feels like a chore.
Talk before the stars
Before your child picks a star rating, ask what they thought. The score is the end of the conversation, not the start.
Why keep a reading record?
A reading chart gives children a clear, visible picture of what they have read. Each finished book earns a sticker, so the goal is small and easy to see. That helps children keep going through the long summer break, when school routines are missing and it is easy to let reading slip.
The chart also asks children to think about what they read. Writing the title and author helps them notice who made the book. Choosing a star rating means forming an opinion and deciding how to explain it. That is a useful step towards talking about books with confidence.
Skills and curriculum link
- Reading for pleasure
- Recording what you read
- Author and title
- Giving an opinion
- Rating and explaining
- Building a habit
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Reading: comprehension | Year 3 |
What children will be able to do
- I can keep track of the books I read.
- I can say what a book was about in my own words.
- I can say what I liked or did not like and why.
Helping your child get the most from the chart
- Let them chooseChildren keep reading when they pick their own books. Let them choose fiction, non fiction, poems, comics or picture books. What they pick tells you what they enjoy.
- Ask for reasonsWhen your child gives a rating, ask why. A short answer such as "it was funny" is a good start. Reasons are the beginning of explaining an opinion.
- Notice the authorPoint out the author's name each time. If your child liked a book, look for other books by the same person. This can lead to a favourite author.
- Celebrate small stepsPraise your child for finishing a book, however short. Effort and persistence matter more than how long or difficult the book is.
Key words
- AuthorThe person who writes a book.
- TitleThe name of a book.
- RatingA score that shows how much you liked something. On this chart, it is a number of stars from 1 to 5.
- OpinionWhat you think or feel about something. Different people can have different opinions.
- RecommendTo suggest something to someone because you think they will enjoy it.
- FavouriteThe one you like best.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown-up.
- Choose a place for the chart, such as the fridge or by the bed, and have some stickers ready.
- Work through the first entry together. Talk about the book, then fill in the title, the author and the stars.
- Each time your child finishes a book, they fill in a new line and add a sticker. Ask what they thought of it.
- Come back to the chart through the summer. Look back at the books so far and talk about which ones stood out.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Count picture books, comics and books read together as well. If writing the title and author feels like a lot, you can write them while your child chooses the stars and the sticker. Praise every book finished, however short.
To stretch confident children
Write one sentence about your favourite character in each book. Try to say what the character is like and why you liked them. Once the chart has several books on it, choose a favourite and explain why.
Make it a game
Set a family target and see who finishes the most books. Each reader keeps their own chart and adds a sticker for every book. Count them up at the end of the summer and celebrate everyone's reading.
Talk about it
- What happened in the book you read most recently?
- Which part did you like best, and why?
- Who would you recommend this book to?
- How many stars would you give it, and what made you choose that number?
- Would you like to read another book by the same author?
- Which book on your chart would you pick up again?
Take it off the page
Bookmark making
Cut a strip of card and decorate it for your next book. Add the title and the name of the author. Use it until you finish the book.
Story swap
Choose a book you finished and tell a friend or family member about it in your own words. Do not give away the ending. Then swap books.
Cosy reading nook
Make a reading corner with cushions and blankets. Keep a pile of books nearby. A comfortable spot can make reading feel special.
Who it is for
Parents
Do the first entry together, then let your child take the lead. Keep the chart somewhere they can see it. Ask about each book and praise the reading, not only the star scores.
Teachers
Use it as a summer holiday task, a reading record for a class challenge or a prompt for book talk. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Children can share their favourite books when they return.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider reading plan. It works well beside library visits, reading aloud and talking about books. Print a copy for each child so they can keep their own chart.
Where this fits in
Before this, children in Year 2 are building fluency. They read simple books and learn to talk about what happens. This chart lets Year 3 children carry on with that habit, recording what they read and giving simple opinions.
After this, children are expected to explain their views about books in more detail and give reasons for their choices. Keeping a record of reading and talking about favourites helps with that. Fronted Adverbial Cards is a good next sheet for Year 4.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What happened in the book you read most recently?
- Which part did you like best, and why?
- Who would you recommend this book to?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Summer Reading Challenge Chart for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Older or younger children can use it too, especially if they want a simple way to keep track of their reading.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You will need stickers, but children can draw stars or small pictures if you do not have any.
- What counts as a book?
Picture books, comics and books read together all count. The aim is to build a reading habit, so let your child choose what they enjoy and count anything they finish.
- How long does it take?
There is no set completion time. Children fill in a line each time they finish a book, so the chart is used a little at a time across the summer holidays.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Colourful stickers will add the colour as the chart fills up.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a holiday task, a class reading challenge or a prompt for book talk. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, a pencil and stickers. It works well alongside reading at bedtime, quiet time or on a rainy day in the holidays.
More like this
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.