A woman and a boy smiling and reading a book together at a wooden table, with educational materials such as a map, scrabble tiles, and letter tiles, in a cozy room with bookshelves, plants, and a window in the background.

Reading Quest

A specialized one-on-one reading adventure designed to help children become confident, independent readers who genuinely love reading. Through immersive themed quests, individualized instruction, games, storytelling, and mastery-based progression, Reading Quest transforms learning to read into an exciting journey children look forward to each week.

ABOUT

Reading Quest uses principles from the research-backed Direct Instruction method to help children build reading skills through clear, carefully sequenced instruction that encourages confidence and success.

Through support from The Village Foundation, access to Reading Quest continues to expand through community-funded sponsorship opportunities that help make this high-quality literacy program more accessible for children regardless of economic status.

Reading scores continue to decline nationwide,

A minimalist line drawing of an open book with a human figure above it inside a circle, on a pinkish background.

leaving more children struggling to access learning, confidence, and opportunity.

Only 31%

of U.S. 4th graders are reading at or above proficiency levels. 

-USAFacts

Outline of a face with glasses reading a book, inside a circular border, on a pink background.

8th graders are now reading below basic levels, 

-NAGB

1 in 3

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Children who struggle with reading are more likely to develop lower confidence in their academic abilities.

-PMC

Lower Confidence

Line art illustration of an open book viewed from above, with a rainbow arching over it, all depicted with white line art on a muted pink background.

children experiences significant difficulty learning to read.

-International Dyslexia Association

1 in 5

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The “Matthew Effect”

Students who experience repeated reading failure often begin avoiding reading activities altogether.

- ERIC

Reading Quest exists to change that story

Where Adventure Meets Reading Mastery

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While They Experience the Adventure…

  • Decoding treasure maps

  • Rescuing animals in need

  • Exploring enchanted worlds

  • Unlocking magical powers

  • Earning badges and treasures

  • Completing exciting missions

  • Defeating final bosses

  • Celebrating victories

  • Building confidence through success

Outline of a human head with a brain inside, depicted in a minimalist line art style in light pink.

Reading Mastery is Taking Shape

  • Sound mastery

  • Letter-sound correspondence

  • Blending

  • Decoding

  • Fluency

  • Reading accuracy

  • Sentence reading

  • Comprehension

  • Independent reading readiness

Quest Themes

  • Colorful fantasy illustration featuring a blue and gold dragon curled around an open spellbook, with glowing letters and crystals, a castle in the background, and the text 'Dragon Magic Quest' in the center.

    Dragon Magic

    Young adventurers journey through a magical kingdom alongside friendly dragons, unlocking glowing crystals, awakening ancient reading magic, and discovering that courage, perseverance, and learning can bring enchanted stories back to life.

  • Underwater scene with a turtle, glowing fish, jellyfish, an open magical book, coral, and seaweed, promoting the game 'Underwater Adventure Quest'.

    Underwater Adventure

    Dive beneath the waves to explore glowing reefs, ancient ocean mysteries, and magical sea creatures as each new reading skill unlocks more of the underwater world’s lost magic.

  • Fantasy illustration of kids in superhero costumes using magic and flying around a glowing open book, with a futuristic city skyline in the background, and large neon letters and symbols floating in the sky. The title 'Superhero Academy Quest' is prominently displayed in the center.

    Superhero Academy

    Train at an elite superhero academy where every mission unlocks new reading powers, helping young heroes grow in confidence, courage, and skill as they discover the superhero within.

  • A fantasy scene featuring animal rescue explorers among lush greenery, mountains, and waterfalls. They are accompanied by animals such as an owl, a wolf, a bear, a snow leopard, a turtle, and various birds and butterflies. Two children are resting, with one examining a map and another caring for a wolf puppy. An open magical book emits glowing light and symbols, with a large title 'Animal Rescue Quest' floating above.

    Animal Rescue

    Become a Wildlife Ranger and embark on exciting rescue missions through magical forests, mountains, and hidden sanctuaries where every reading skill helps you save animals in need.

  • A colorful fantasy scene with a young princess in a pink sparkling gown holding a staff, standing in front of a castle with purple turrets and multiple waterfalls, surrounded by glowing crystals, pink flowers, and lush greenery, under a pink and orange sky. The image features the title 'Princess of the Crystal Kingdom Quest' in ornate pink and purple lettering with a crystal crown.

    Princess of the Crystal Kingdom

    Journey through a sparkling kingdom of castles, crowns, and crystal magic as you unlock the reading skills needed to become a true Princess of the Crystal Kingdom.

  • A vibrant, animated scene titled 'Pirate Treasure Quest' showing children dressed as pirates exploring a lush island with palm trees, a waterfall, and a sailing ship in the ocean. They are discovering treasure, maps, and pirate symbols, with glowing magical elements and an open treasure chest full of gold and jewels.

    Pirate Treasure

    Set sail on a magical quest across hidden islands, ancient maps, and buried treasures as young adventurers unlock reading skills and discover the confidence to read on their own.

Reading Quest uses the principles of Direct Instruction, one of the most researched instructional approaches in education.

  • Direct Instruction is one of the most extensively researched instructional methods in education. Large-scale studies have found strong positive results in reading achievement, language development, and academic growth. Reading Quest combines these proven principles with adventure, storytelling, and individualized support to create a reading experience children genuinely enjoy.

  • Many struggling readers begin to believe they simply aren’t good at reading. Direct Instruction is designed to create rapid success experiences, helping children experience mastery early and often. As skills improve, confidence grows—and confidence is one of the strongest predictors of future reading success.

  • Direct Instruction carefully sequences new skills so children are never overwhelmed. Each lesson builds on previous successes, helping children experience steady progress, stronger understanding, and fewer moments of confusion or frustration.

Open children's book with illustrations of a dragon and a cat dressed as a wizard, with a person pointing at the text.

Where to Find Us

Our sessions meet at the Mid-Continent Public Library. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the meeting room number and any additional details you may need. We look forward to serving your family!

Mid-Continent Public Library - Lee's Summit Branch

150 NW Oldham Pkwy, Lee's Summit, MO 64081