Read, Play, and Protect the Planet: Join Waste Free Society in the Maricopa County Summer Reading Program!
Summer is the perfect time for new adventures—and what better way to explore the world than through the pages of a great book? This year, Waste Free Society is thrilled to be part of the Maricopa County Library Summer Reading Program, encouraging young readers to dive into stories that inspire curiosity, action, and care for our planet. 🌎📚
Earn Points, Win Prizes, Make a Difference
From June 1 through August 1, kids across Maricopa County can earn points toward fun prizes by joining in on this reading challenge. When you read books from our Waste Free Book List (focused on waste reduction, sustainability, and earth science), you’ll collect points and gain powerful knowledge about how to help our Earth.
25 Books on Sustainability and Eco Action
Our curated book list includes titles for all reading levels. Find these books at your local library, read them, and earn points for prizes!
100 Ways to Save the Planet by Tom Jordan, illustrated by Joshua Rice
How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up By Ruth Spiro Illustrated by Teresa Martínez
Afloat Written by Kirli Saunders & Illustrated by Freya Blackwood
What Does It Mean to Be Green?: A Picture Book about Making Eco Friendly Choices and Saving the Planet! by Rana DiOrio (Author), Addy Rivera Sonda (Illustrator)
A Planet Like Ours by Frank Murphy and Charnaie Gordon Illustrated by Kayla Harren
Old Enough to Make a Difference Be inspired by real-life children building a more sustainable future written by Rebecca Hui Illustrated by Anneli Bray
Planet Power Explore the World’s Renewable Energy Written by Stacy Clark Illustrated by Annalisa Beghelli
It’s a Wonderful World: How to Protect the Planet and Change the Future by Jess French
Planet SOS 22 Modern Monsters Threating Our Planet (And What You Can Do to Defeat Them!) By Marie G. Rohde
The Story of Climate Change: A First Book About How We Can Help Save Our Planet by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Illustrated by Amy Husband and Mike Love
A Kid’s Guide to Saving the Planet: It’s NOT Hopeless and We’re NOT Helpless by Paul Douglas Illustrated by Chelenn Écija
A Planet Full of Plastic: And how you can help by Neal Layton
One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet by Anuradha Rao
Arlene the Rebel Queen by Carol Liu
Basher Science: Climate Change by Simon Basher
Savi and the Memory Keeper by Bijal Vachharajani
Drawn to Change the World Graphic Novel Collection: 16 Youth Climate Activists, 16 Artists
The Ice House by Monica Sherwood
The Infinite by Patience Agababi
Front Country by Sara St. Antoine
The Green Girls by Loïc Nicoloff
Earth Day and the Environmental Movement by Christy Peterson
Earth-Friendly Earth Day Crafts by Veronica Thompson
It’s Time to Take Eco Action! Book Series
Earth Day from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
Get Ready for Waste Free Bingo!
In addition to reading, we’re adding an extra twist of eco-fun! Complete activities on our Waste Free Bingo Card—simple, hands-on ways to reduce waste and live more sustainably. Each activity completed earns you points toward prizes and a deeper connection to the environment around you.
You can earn even more points by showing off your sustainability in action:
- 📸 Snap a photo or video of you completing any activity on the Bingo card.
- 📧 Send it to us by email, tag us on social media, or slide into our DMs.
- 🔐 Once we receive it, we’ll send you the Secret Code that you can enter into your reading account on MaricopaCountyReads.org for bonus points!
Let’s Read for a Waste Free Future
At Waste Free Society, we believe that kids are the next generation of environmental leaders. Through stories, fun challenges, and real-life eco-actions, we can all make a difference. Let’s make this summer unforgettable—with books in our hands and sustainability in our hearts.
Visit maricopacountyreads.org to register and start logging your progress today. Stay waste free, stay curious, and keep reading!
Waste Free Society is on a mission to make sustainable living accessible to everyone. Through our Waste Free Certification program, we offer compost pickup services for businesses ready to go green. Our Waste Free Academy hosts hands-on workshops in composting, gardening, art, and sustainability for kids and adults alike. Join us at our Second Saturday Market for community compost drop-off, thrifting, and more ways to live waste free.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for tips, tools, and ways to take action.
#WasteFreeLiving #SustainableCommunity #EcoEquity