Reading Challenges

Hobsons Bay Libraries’ Junior Easy Readers are short books designed for young people who are learning to read or have learning disabilities. They introduce letter sounds (phonics), sentence construction, story context, and vocabulary. Utilise this handy stop-light system to support your child in learning how to read, so they continue to love reading.

Short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts for children eager to read on their own. This level is just right for readers who are beginning to sound out words and sentences.

Books on this level are written with simple sentences using familiar words.

LEVEL 2: EARLY

Engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play for developing readers who still need some help. Level 2 is for readers who are increasingly confident but still need some help. Books at this level include more complex storylines, longer sentences, and more challenging words.

LEVEL 3: FLUENT

Complex plots, challenging vocabulary, and high-interest topics for the independent reader.

Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Level 3 books are written for independent readers. They include challenging words and more complex themes and stories.

Browse the Junior Easy Reader collection in the children's area of any Hobsons Bay Libraries branch, or online using the library catalogue.

In 2020, Hobsons Bay Libraries was pleased to launch Grow Your Reader, an early literacy initiative to assist families to build a love of books and reading for their children from birth to three years. Sharing stories, conversation and songs with young children from birth is proven to set them up for future success – it’s also fun and creates strong, healthy bonds. This project will have numerous avenues to help support the early literacy development of the Hobsons Bay community.

Grow your reader will:

• Provide families with a New Baby Book Bag for every new birth in Hobsons Bay this year. Book Bags contain a free high quality board book, a helpful guide to build literacy in young children, and information about library membership and local early literacy programs;
• Give children at their two-and-year year old Maternal and Child Health check-up their very own Library Book Bag. These bags contain a free book with accompanying learning activities, along with information for carers with key messages at this stage of their child’s language development.
• Offer a series of parenting support programs throughout the year, including monthly pre-natal information sessions and regular literacy information sessions. Our goal is to help and support parents in their role as their child’s first teacher.

The Premier invites students from Prep to Year 10 to participate in the annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge.

The challenge hopes to inspire students to discover the magical power of books. It is an ideal opportunity for parents and families to share in these discoveries too.

Search for Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge books by age category through our catalogue.

For more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge visit www.education.vic.gov.au

BIG Summer Read 2025 - 1 December to 31 January

Join. Borrow. Read. Win

The BIG Summer Read is a statewide reading campaign for Victorian children and young people, created by Public Libraries Victoria. Open to ages 0-18, it aims to support literacy by encouraging kids to read for pleasure over the summer holidays, helping to prevent the "summer slide" — the loss of literacy skills during the long break.

Kids just need to keep reading, and be read to.

Join your child today. Every book counts!

Click here for more info.