Book lovers of all ages are invited to track reading minutes to earn prizes to start the new year.

Surprise is hosting its annual mayor’s literacy challenge with the goal of reading for 700 minutes between Thursday, Jan. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 14.

Throughout the challenge, readers will be awarded fun prizes at each 100 minutes read.

Every child 11 and under who finishes the 700 minutes read will earn a free book. Teens from 12 to 17 will receive a Squishmallow, and adults will get their very own Surprise Public Library journal and pen.

Rewards can be redeemed at any Surprise Public Library System location.

Participants can also earn reading minutes by listening to some of the library’s collection of audio stories at surprisepubliclibrary.gov/Stories.

Raffle prizes include a Nintendo Switch Lite, a record player, a tablet and Legos. Incentive prizes include vendor coupons to local businesses and Surprise spring training lawn passes.

The city is kicking off the start of the challenge by hosting an opening party, complete with a petting zoo and carnival games from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Drive.

For students, those in first through fifth grades will have a chance to win a pizza party for their entire grade. The Surprise-area elementary school class that has the most finishers will be the winner.

Elementary, middle and high schools can compete to win the traveling trophy. The school that has the most finishers will be crowned the champion.

Register at surpriseaz.gov/513/Mayors-Literacy-Challenge. The city reminds registrants to add their school and grade level using the dropdown menus during registration.

Participants can also register as an individual or family.

More challenge-related programs can be found at surprisepubliclibrary.gov/Programs.

For questions, email library@surpriseaz.gov.