WAYNE, PA — In a major push to boost global literacy, more than 39,000 students across 34 countries spent their summer immersed in books as part of “The Great Reading Tournament” (TGRT), an international competition spearheaded by 311Literacy and backed by sponsor Canva. Participants collectively logged 1.94 million minutes of reading and completed over 81,000 books.
Billed as the world’s first free global reading contest, TGRT harnesses competition to instill lifelong reading habits. The platform offers access to more than 10,000 titles in English and Spanish, removing barriers for children in households without books or access to libraries. Since its inception, TGRT has drawn nearly 80,000 students who’ve read over five million minutes combined.
This year’s summer edition marked a milestone: it was the first TGRT held during the school break, strategically targeting the so-called “summer slide” that often causes students to lose ground in literacy skills. Organizers say the timing helped maximize student engagement during months when screen time typically dominates.
The tournament’s reach extended from the U.S. to nations including Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Top honors in the U.S. went to RCMA Immokalee Community Academy in Florida, where students read 204 books over 5,257 minutes.
TGRT’s model is simple: adults register students, who then receive login credentials to select and read books of their choice. Reading minutes are automatically tracked, and live leaderboards foster friendly competition. Students can participate individually or as part of a group—whether a class, school, or afterschool program. Top performers are awarded prizes based on their reading time.
311Literacy CEO Ariadna Trapote emphasized the accessibility of the program: “If teachers and parents only realized how simple it is for them to sign up their students for free, with nothing further required of them, I think even more U.S. students would participate.”
The next round of The Great Reading Tournament is scheduled to begin November 1, 2025.
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