FAQs
Who can participate?
Anyone – the more the merrier. Bring your kids, friends, family, and bookish neighbors.
Does listening to audio books count towards my reading minutes?
Yes! Just be sure to track those minutes under the audiobooks category when submitting your results.
Can I join any book club?
You are welcome to join any club when you sign up. If your company is not sponsoring a club, please feel free to join the MREF club (or any other)!
Will I have to verify my results?
No; the readathon operates on the honor system. We trust everyone to read responsibly!
How do I log minutes?
- Once signed in, click your profile bubble on the top right of the menu and navigate to Profile.
- Find the Backpack Challenge Readathon box – on the righthand list of blue links, click Submit Virtual Results.
- If you need help troubleshooting or want to explore other logging options, visit this tutorial.
How do I upload photos?
- On the main menu, click Photos.
- Click Add Photos to Your Album.
- Click Upload Images and choose your photo(s).
- When you're finished selecting photos, click I'm Finished Uploading.
What happens to proceeds from the readathon?
In partnership with the Kids In Need Foundation, proceeds from the 2024 Backpack Challenge will fund backpacks full of essential school supplies to underserved kids in the U.S.
I forgot to log my minutes for a couple days – do they still count?
They do! Simply change the date to the correct day when you submit your virtual results – you can choose a day that has already passed.
How long after the readathon do I have to log my minutes?
If readers miss some days, they will have until September 5 at 11:55 p.m. ET to retroactively submit results. Remember – all challenge results are on the honor system!
The readathon has already started – is it too late to join?
It's never too late! We welcome any reader up until the last day of the challenge.
