September Reading Log

This September reading log gives kids a simple, visual way to track the books they read throughout the month.

The apple-themed printable has 12 apples to color, one for each completed book, plus space to record their final total. It’s an easy reading tracker to use at home or in the classroom as fall gets underway.

When my son was younger, coloring another apple after finishing a book quickly became part of our evening reading routine.

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Apple Reading Log

The apple reading log printable starts with a large September header that kids can color and make their own.

Around it, you’ll find an apple tree heavy with fruit, Johnny Appleseed tipping his tin hat, a boy kicking through crunchy leaves, and a girl enjoying the first days of fall.

Beneath the header, there’s space for your child’s name so it’s clear the log is theirs. The main section has 12 blank apples, one for each book read this month.

Every finished book earns an apple to color, and by the end of September, the page becomes a bright, visual record of their reading. At the bottom, they can write the total in the space marked, I read ______ books this month!

How to Use the Reading Tracker

A September book log isn’t just for keeping track, it can also turn reading into a month-long celebration. Here are a few ways to make the most of it:

• For reluctant readers: Let every kind of reading count, from bedtime stories to graphic novels. When my son was younger, this simple change made the log feel less like homework and more like a game.
• Adjust for different ages: For preschoolers, one apple can mean one short story. For older kids, make each apple worth a set number of pages or chapters.
• Tie it to fall activities: After a trip to the apple orchard, pick apple-themed books to read that week. You could also add books about Johnny Appleseed before his special day on September 26.
• Set and celebrate goals: At the start of the month, have your child choose a number of books to aim for. When they hit their target, celebrate with something simple like a special library trip or a cozy reading afternoon.

Why Kids Enjoy This Reading Tracker

This tracker gives kids a clear goal to work toward and a fun way to see their progress. Each time they finish a book, they color in an apple, and by the end of the month, the page becomes a colorful record of what they’ve read.

• Encourages consistent reading – When Freddie was 7, he’d sprint to grab his log after finishing a chapter, eager to fill in another apple before bedtime. That little ritual kept him reading every night without reminders.
• Turns goals into something visual – One year, Freddie colored each apple to match the book cover, by the end, his log looked like a mini bookshelf.
• Builds ownership – Having their name on the page and tracking their own books gives kids a sense of responsibility for their reading.
• Adds creativity to the routine – Coloring the apples and the September header makes the log feel more like an art project than homework.
• Celebrates achievement – Writing the final number at the bottom is a proud moment that caps off a month of effort.

Top Fall Books to Track

September is a great month to add a few seasonal books to your regular reading. I like these three because they each connect to something already on the reading log, from apples and falling leaves to the start of fall.

• Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell – My pick if you’re visiting an apple orchard or pumpkin patch in September. It’s a simple seasonal story about a family picking apples and choosing a pumpkin, so it fits particularly well with the apple theme of this reading log.
• The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry – A lovely choice for the beginning of fall, especially for younger readers. The story focuses on kindness and friendship, and the autumn illustrations make it a good September read-aloud.
• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson – This is a good one to pair with a fall nature walk. Fletcher watches his favorite tree change as its leaves begin to fall, which can easily lead into conversations about the changing seasons.

More September Worksheets

If you’re putting together a September-themed activity set, these extras pair perfectly with the reading log:

September coloring pages – Add a creative break between books with seasonal coloring pages featuring fall and September themes.

September word search – Use as a fun warm-up before reading time, featuring fall and back-to-school words.

Pair Johnny Appleseed coloring pages with a short biography before reading apple-themed books.

Roald Dahl bookmarks to color – Kids can decorate bookmarks after reading Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or The BFG.

Get Your Free September Reading Log Printable Here!

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Last Updated on 31 August 2026 by Clare Brown