Athenaeum needs your help, hero. Will you stand up to the bookwyrms? Complete your hero information to begin your quest.

Stop by the front desk at your local library to sign up to participate in Winter Reading! You'll be asked to include a photo of your hero, which can be whatever you want (a real picture, a drawing, a printed image that represents you) and a list of your real-life strengths. Don't forget, even small things (like being a good friend) can make you a hero!

Not every hero takes to their quest immediately. Not everyone even wants to be a hero. So what is it that's holding you back? Choose ONE of the following quest options.

• You want me to do what?! Oh. Oh, no. Thanks, but no thanks. That sounds like I'd need to put pants on. I'd rather just sit here and read my book.
  • To complete: Read for 2 hours
• Your guardian says, "Not on your life." I'd love to go. Really. But I can't argue with my guardian, who has vehemently told me no. Shucks. Guess I'll just have to stay home and read instead.
  • To complete: Read for 1 hour.
• I'm officially doomed. I know I'm going to end up going on this quest anyway. Why avoid the inevitable? Let me just find out how this book ends before I'm whisked away to my untimely death.
  • To complete: Read for 1 1/2 hours.

Fear not, Hero, you will be properly trained for the dangers ahead! This is not a decision to take lightly, for your mentor holds your future fate in their hands. Choose ONE mentor below.

• I want to fight from a distance. It's not that I can't get close to an enemy . . . but why would I? Can't I just throw pointy things from here? Where it's safe?
  • To complete: Read for 3 hours. Choose your favorite fictional character from a book and make a collage (a page filled with pictures and/or words) about what you've learned from that character.
• I'll take a shiny, pointy stick, please. Am I sure I'm qualified to use this? No. No, I'm not. But I'm pretty sure the pointy end goes towards the enemy and the holdy part is my end, and really, what more is there to know?
  • To complete: Read for 3 hours. Choose your favorite fictional character from a book and make a collage (a page filled with pictures and/or words) about what you've learned from that character.
• Fire, ice, and everything . . . magic! I don't NEED a weapon. I AM the weapon! If something doesn't explode at least once, does it even count as fighting?
  • To complete: Read for 3 hours. Choose your favorite fictional character from a book and make a collage (a page filled with pictures and/or words) about what you've learned from that character.

Congratulations, Hero, on obtaining your weapon. (You do know which end to point at enemies, right?!) Time to choose where you want to begin your adventure. Pick ONE location to visit.

• Gatherer's Grotto.Everyone knows the best taverns in all of the Athenaeum are in the Grotto. It's where all the greatest adventurers gather. Surely someone there will have some useful information that will help you on your quest.
  • To complete: Read for 3 hours. Tell the front desk staff some juicy gossip about one of the characters in the book you're reading.
• Truthseeker's Archives. The Archives house the majority of written knowledge about the land of Athenaeum. The stacks are a little intimidating, and likely full of dust, but they should have some helpful research that will aid you in your quest.
  • To complete: Read for 3 hours. Choose your favorite quote from the book, write it on an index card, decorate it, and turn it back in at the front desk.
• Whispering Woods. Just jumping into the fray, are we? That's . . . ill-advised. But hey, at least you've got a weapon. The world awaits, Hero.
  • To complete: Read for 1 1/2 hours. Win a game of rock-paper-scissors against someone at the front desk.

A hero's journey is not without its challenges. It’s time to prove your mettle and show Athenaeum that you’re dedicated to their cause. The people have asked you to take care of a beast that has been terrorizing nearby towns. What will you do, hero, to deal with whatever lurks in the darkness of the Beast's Lair?

• Tame the Beast. Oh, sure, it’s literally razed three towns and scared away every hero that’s ever set foot in its lair . . . but you’re different. Of course you are. You can definitely tame this thing, whatever it is. The bigger and badder, the better, because fierce things are cute things, and your sidekick should be as strong as you are.
  • To complete:
    • If you stopped at the Gatherer’s Grotto or Truthseeker Archives: Your research has come in handy! Taming this thing should be a snap. Read for 1 hour. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.
    • If you went to the Whispering Woods: Weird. Your weapons seem to have no effect on the beast. Looks like you get to do this the old-fashioned way. Read for 2 hours. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.
• Befriend the Beast. You don’t actually want to hurt anyone. Probably, this creature’s just been misunderstood and wants everyone to leave it alone in peace. Most likely to read. Who can blame them for that? Surely it doesn’t need anything more than a friend (and maybe another good book or two).
  • To complete:
    • If you're a mage: Your mentor taught you a charm spell that should come in handy. It won’t do all the work for you, but it’ll at least make the creature comfortable enough for you to get close to it. Read for 1 hour. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.
    • If you're an archer or warrior: The beast doesn’t like the look of your pointy weapons. Probably not the best way to start a friendship. Read for 2 hours. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.
• Slay the Beast. This creature obviously needs to be stopped before it hurts more people. Others have tried reasoning with it and failed. If you’re going to save Athenaeum, you’re going to do it properly: by eliminating the threat.
  • To complete:
    • If you went to the Whispering Woods: You’ve already proven your mettle once before. Now, you just need to prove that you can follow through on a promise. Read for 1 hour. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.
    • If you stopped at the Gatherer's Grotto: You’ve got a whole tavern full of heroes cheering you on. Unfortunately, they’re half a continent away. And probably drunk. So you’re still mostly on your own. Read for 1 1/2 hours. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.
    • If you stopped at the Truthseeker's Archive: All your knowledge-seeking has prepared you, but it hasn’t won any hearts. No, books don’t count—they don’t have hearts, either. You need to start winning the villagers' favor the old-fashioned way. Read for two hours. Then select a creature coloring sheet, color it in, and return it when you’ve finished your reading to complete this quest.

This quest will release on February 6. Please come back then for more information on how to complete it.

This quest will release on February 13. Please come back then for more information on how to complete it.

This quest will release on February 20. Please come back then for more information on how to complete it.

This quest will release on February 20. Please come back then for more information on how to complete it.

This quest will release on February 27. Please come back then for more information on how to complete it.

This quest will release on February 27. Please come back then for more information on how to complete it.