Parent Overview
Inspiring a generation of readers and savers
Reading Makes Cents empowers K–8 students in Virginia to explore money-smart habits through stories. With the Reading Challenge, children can learn financial literacy—and could win one of 14 $529 contributions to an Invest529 savings account.
Why join?
Featured read-alouds
Enjoy videos of this year’s selected books:
Free reading resources
Access the Reading Challenge logs for elementary and middle school, plus clear instructions for submitting entries.
Real-world learning
Your child will encounter History and Social Science SOL–aligned concepts like scarcity, opportunity cost, earning and saving through engaging stories.
Support your school
If your child’s school participates and earns the highest challenge response rate within their VaASL region, it can win $500 worth of financial literacy books. Together, families and schools benefit.
Program participation
Your child should track their reading activity using the Reading Challenge form and, with your help, fill out the requested information. Once completed, you submit the information online or by the instructions on the completed form.
Entries accepted until May 21, 2027.
2025-2026 Student winners
2025-2026 Program Participation: 1845 Students | 255 Librarians
Melanie H., Appomattox Primary; Susan J., Appomattox Primary; Damien J. , Buckingham Co. Elementary; Nova R. , Calloway Elementary; Rashad K. , Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary; Mya W., Ferrum Elementary; Ashton P. , Ghent School; Brooks C. , Ghent School; Avery B. , King George Middle; Damon K. , King George Middle; Dillion G. , Linville-Edom Elementary; Olivia B. , Piney Branch Elementary