Who Is It For? Any teenager from any location. Adults may also participate, though they will not be eligible for the prize giveaway.
What Is at Stake? Hopefully a good reading experience! Those who complete and report reading three book titles in a row from their assigned chart will be eligible for the prize giveaway drawing at the end of the summer. Logan, Utah's The Book Table has graciously offered to provide the prizes for the giveaway. If you are a business owner looking for a sponsorship opportunities, please contact writingreeder@gmail.com ---the more sponsors, the more teens can be awarded for their efforts.
When Does It Start? The program officially begins 1 June 2026. On that day, any one who has filled out the form in advance, will be sent their randomized Tic Tac Toe chart and reading can commence immediately. Participants are welcome to join the program at any point throughout the summer by filling out the form.
When Does It End? The program will end 1 September 2026. To be considered for the prize giveaway, all reading needs to have been done and reported by that date. Any reading done after that point is eligible for extra credit in life! The prize drawing winners will be announced by 8 September.
Other Ways to Participate. The randomized list is curated from novels that author Marty Reeder enjoyed reading as a teenager, but his tastes are admittedly archaic if not eclectic. Other book submissions are most welcome to the program. To submit, please fill out this form--preferably before 1 June, but afterwards works as well.
The Extra Mile. If the participants are not challenged by just reading three novel titles, they can attempt to perform a "blackout"--that is, read every book on their randomized Tic Tac Toe chart. If they are able to accomplish and report this within the time frame of the program, then their name will be submitted three times to the prize giveaway.
Alternative Methods. If a participant receives a Tic Tac Toe chart of novels that are unavailable to the participant, difficult to read/understand, or undesirable for other reasons, the participant is allowed to substitute any title of their choice with Marty Reeder's young adult novels: How to Become a Pirate Hunter or its sequel How to Become a Seer. (Give me a break, I am organizing this thing after all ... and I don't think you'll find the read unpleasant!)