​Here’s how it works:

• Participation in this reading challenge is limited to Madison Library District patrons ages 10 to 14. Interns (or their parents) must have a current library account in good standing to be eligible.
• This reading challenge begins January 1, 2026, and ends at 7:00 pm on December 30, 2026. Only books read between those dates will count. All completed books must be reported by 7:00 pm on December 30, 2026 to be valid.
• The last day to sign up for this challenge is September 30, 2026.
• An Intern’s Artifact Reading Journal consists of 50 challenges divided into 10 themed Inventory Log Sheets. To complete each Log Sheet, read a book for each specified task listed on the Log Sheet page. 
• When you’ve finished a book, visit the Circulation Desk at the Library to collect the appropriate sticker and get one step closer to completing that Inventory Log sheet.
• Once an entire Log sheet has been completed, readers will earn a small prize and an entry into the grand prize drawing.
• Inventory Log sheets, including any portion of a Log sheet, can be completed in any order, but all five parts on a Log sheet must be completed before that specific prize can be awarded.
• Interns who report their completed Artifact Journal of all 10 Inventory Log Sheets before 7:00 pm on December 30, 2026 will receive the 2026 Junior Armchair Traveler prize.
• Prizes may be picked up by the participant or a family member.

INVENTORY LOG 1: DINOS

This Log Sheet is a title challenge. For each task, read a book with a title that starts with the letter listed.

​INVENTORY LOG 1: 

• “D”
• “I”
• “N”
• “O”
• “S”

INVENTORY LOG 2: RUINS

This Log Sheet is an author challenge. For each task, read a book with an author’s name that starts with the letter listed. It can be either the first or last name or an author’s listed initial.

​​INVENTORY LOG 2: 

• “R”
• “U”
• “I”
• “N”
• “S”

INVENTORY LOG 3, 4, & 5: Archaeology, Paleontology, & Geology

Archaeology is the study of historical human activity, culture, and events by digging up and anlyzing artifacts and structures. Paleontology is the study of fossils of both plants and animals. Geology is the study of the physical structure and features of Earth.

These three Log Sheets are cover challenges. Each item listed is related to the designated field of study. For each task, read a book with an object on the cover that matches the item listed.

​INVENTORY LOG 3: 

Archaeology

• Human/Person
• House
• Fire
• Tools
• Bowl/Cup/Utensil

​​INVENTORY LOG 4: 

Paleontology

• Tree/Bark/Branch
• Leaf
• Flower
• Bones
• Insect

INVENTORY LOG 6: Ichnology

Ichnology is the study of trace fossils such as footprints and nests. This Log Sheet is also a cover challenge. For each task, read a book with something on the cover that shows tracks or evidence left behind, such as tire tracks, fingerprints, or animal footprints.

​INVENTORY LOG 6: 

• Book 1
• Book 2
• Book 3
• Book 4
• Book 5

INVENTORY LOG 7: Bird Brain

In honor of their genetic relationship to dinosaurs, Log Sheet 7 is a cover challenge all about our feathered friends. For each task, read a book that has the item listed pictured on the cover.

​INVENTORY LOG 7: 

• Feather
• Beak
• Eye
• Flying Bird
• Chicken

INVENTORY LOG 8: Mammoths

From insects to dinosaurs to mammoths, prehistoric creatures were huge! For Log Sheet 8, we’re reading big books. For each task, read a book with more pages than the number listed. The numbers get bigger as you go, so be sure to save those doorstop novels for this challenge!

​INVENTORY LOG 8: 

• 250+
• 250+
• 300+
• 300+
• 400+

INVENTORY LOG 9: Excavation Tools

No matter the area of study, many of the excavation sciences we’ve explored share common tools. Log Sheet 9 can be either a cover challenge or a content challenge. For each task, read a book that has the listed item on the cover or read one where a main character uses that tool in some way.

​INVENTORY LOG 9: 

• Shovel/Trowel
• Lights
• Camera/Recording Device
• Forensics/Chemistry Analysis
• Historical Documents

INVENTORY LOG 10: Discovery Sites

This is a challenge based on location. For each site listed as a task, read a book set in that location. Locations within the United States must be set in the same state to be eligible, and locations outside the US must be set within that country to work.

​​INVENTORY LOG 10: 

• Pyramids of Giza – Egypt
• Pompeii – Italy
• Liaoning Province – China
• Dinosaur National Monument –
  Utah or Colorado
• Skara Brae – Scotland