One-million-page reading challenge at Nummen koulu

At Nummen koulu (Nummi Primary School), the challenge is completed by reading both at school and at home. All Finnish-language books including comic books are accepted in the challenge. The reading challenge began as soon as school started in August 2025.

“After the winter break, the students had already read 810,000 pages for the challenge! It looks like we will reach the one‑million‑page goal this spring,” says Marika Viita, Finnish as a Second Language (S2) teacher and coordinator of the reading challenge at Nummi School.

The progress of the reading challenge is visualized for pupils and school staff as a dragon stretching across the school’s walls—and it grows longer every week. The dragon has already reached about 35 meters in length.

Children recommend books to one another and stay focused on reading

The goal of the challenge is to improve children’s reading skills and inspire them to read more. The results are already tangible.

“Thanks to the reading challenge, pupils are recommending books to one another, and visits to the library as well as reading at home have increased. Reading has also increased in class, and students readily ask for reading time once they finish their other tasks,” Viita explains.

According to Viita, pupils are now able to concentrate better while reading, and reading is a more frequent topic of discussion.

“One teacher even said they saw a pupil walking to school while reading a book,” Viita adds with a smile.

The entire school earns a trip to the cinema

Viita works as an S2 teacher (Finnish as a Second Language and Literature). At Nummi School, 46 percent of the pupils have an immigrant background.

“Literacy work is extremely important for them, but of course for all our pupils. Our school is part of the national Lukeva koulu (Reading School) programme,” Viita says.

When the challenge began in the autumn, pupils could suggest suitable rewards, and sponsors were sought to support the idea. As the prize for completing the one‑million‑page reading challenge, the entire Nummi School will get to go to the cinema. The reward is made possible by BioRex Cinemas and Cinemanse Oy.

The idea for the reading challenge was inspired by a similar challenge completed at Karkalovaara School in Rovaniemi. The challenge was adapted to suit Nummi School.

Nummi School pupils answer: what kind of books do you like to read?

Matilda (Grade 6): Books with adventures, mythical creatures and magic.

Viljami (Grade 4): Manga—that is, Japanese comics—and nonfiction books. Reading is relaxing and really fun; you don’t have to look at a device all the time.

Siiri (Grade 3): Exciting and long books. I recommend the Nolo elämäni book series.

Minja (Grade 2): Exciting books. I can recommend the Etsiväkerho Hurrikaani

Mariia (Grade 3): Oravalaakson tarinat books are fun. Also Karlsson-on-the-Roof and Dog Man. If you’re bored, you can read—books are full of unbelievable things. Reading makes you feel good.

Aapo (Grade 4): Manga and nonfiction books. My reading record for one week is 4,364 pages.

Mila (Grade 3): Fairy tales, for example Emil of Lönneberga and Pippi Longstocking. I really like reading. When I read something, the story stays with me, and if I get bored, I can think about it.

Translated using artificial intelligence (Copilot).