(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — Wood County Reads announced the return of the Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge for summer 2025, inviting all PreK-12 students to participate in a reading challenge that rewards their literary efforts with golden tickets redeemable for new books at upcoming summer book fairs.

“Summer reading is essential for keeping students’ minds active and preventing learning loss during the break,” Curriculum Director for Wood County Schools Ashlee Beatty said. “The Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic way to keep students engaged! It not only promotes literacy but also provides students with access to new books, fostering a lifelong love for reading.”

The 2025 challenge features updated reading lists tailored to each grade level, developed in collaboration with Wood County Reads, Wood County Schools and local public libraries. Thanks to the support of The Spartan Foundation and Hap and Meg Esbenshade, thousands of books have been made available to students, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate and benefit from this initiative.

How It Works:

1. Read Books: Students select books from their grade-specific summer reading lists.

2. Collect Golden Tickets: For each book read, students can pick up a golden ticket at various locations, including:

* Parkersburg & Wood County Library, 3100 Emerson Ave., Parkersburg

* South Parkersburg Library, 1807 Blizzard Dr., Parkersburg

* Vienna Public Library, 2300 River Road, Vienna

* Williamstown Public Library, 201 W Fifth St., Williamstown

* If attending a Wood County Schools Summer Learning Program, pick up your tickets in the school office.

* If attending Boys and Girls Club, Energy Express, or the YMCA summer program, pick up from the program coordinator.

* Tickets may be picked up at the Wood County Schools book fair.

3. Redeem Tickets: Golden tickets can be exchanged for brand-new books at the summer book fairs on July 10 at the Emerson Elementary Gymnasium from 3-6 p.m., and on Aug. 27 at Wood County Schools central office in the Bailey Board Room from 3:15-6 p.m.

For more information on the Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge, including reading lists and ticket pickup locations, please visit: https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/page/goldenticket