Reading

1. Do EACH of the following:
   1. Take a tour of a library. Discuss with your counselor how the library is organized and what resources and/or services are offered in the library.
   2. a. Learn how to search your a library's card catalog or computerized catalog by author, title, and subject.
   3. In a library, search the card catalog or computerized catalog for six books of four different types, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and biographies.
   4. b. With the assistance of your merit badge counselor or a the librarian, select six books of four different types such as poetry, drama/plays, fiction, nonfiction, biographies, etc.). Ask your librarian or counselor about award-winning books that are recommended for readers your age and include at least one of those titles. see if you can locate on the shelves the six books you selected.
      c. Find the books in the library catalog. With your counselor's or a librarian's assistance, locate the books on the shelves.
      d. Read each book. Keep a log of your reading that includes the title of the book, the pages or chapters read, the date you completed them, and your thoughts about what you have read so far. Discuss your reading with your counselor. Using your log as a reference, explain why you chose each book and tell whether you enjoyed it and what it meant to you.
2. Do EACH of the following:
   1. Identify a book you have enjoyed. Find out what other books the author has written.
   2. Look at one or more “best books” lists. These can be based on year, subject, or even all time. Identify at least one book you would like to read.
3. Read four different types of books, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or biographies. Do any ONE of the following for each book you have read:
   1. Write a review of the book. Include what you liked/didn’t like about the book. Include if you would recommend this book, and if so, who might enjoy reading it.
   2. Watch a movie based on the book. What was the same between the book and movie? What was different? Which did you enjoy more? Discuss this with your merit badge counselor.
   3. Watch a movie based on the book. What was the same between the book and movie? What was different? Which did you enjoy more? Discuss this with your merit badge counselor.
4. Read a nonfiction book or magazine that teaches you how to do something like cooking, wood-building projects, video game design, science experiments, knot-tying, etc. With your counselor's and parent's or guardian's permission, complete a project from the book. Share your experience with your merit badge counselor. Reading a merit badge pamphlet will not count toward completing this requirement.
5. 2. Read about the world around you from any two sources— : books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet (with your parent's or guardian's permission), field manuals, etc. Topics may include Scouting, sports, environmental problems, politics, social issues, current events, nature, religion, etc. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
   3. Do ONE of the following:
   1. From a catalog of your choice, fill out an order form for merchandise as if you intended to place an order. Share the completed form with your counselor and discuss it.
   2. With your parent's permission, locate at least five websites that are helpful for your scouting or other activities. Write the Internet addresses of these sites in your log. Talk with your counselor or a librarian about safety rules for using the Internet.
6. 4. With your counselor's and your parent's or guardian's permission, choose ONE of the following activities and devote at least four hours of service to that activity. Discuss your participation with your counselor.
   1. Read to a sick, blind, or homebound person in a hospital or in an extended-care facility.
   2. Perform volunteer work at your school library or a public library.
   3. Read stories to younger children, in a group or individually.
   4. Organize a book swap in your troop, school, or place of worship.
   5. Organize a book drive to collect books. Donate them to an organization in need.

BSA Advancement ID#: 95
Requirements last updated in: 2020
Pamphlet Publication Number: 35940
Pamphlet Stock (SKU) Number: 35940
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2013

Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.