Read Books Earn Free Pizza and Arcade Fun in Evansville

As a kid who grew up in the 80s and 90s, I immediately thought about the incentives we received for reading that usually included a personal pizza.

You remember? Read books. Earn rewards. Feel ridiculously proud of yourself.

Now two small businesses in Evansville are teaming up to bring that same energy back for Summer 2026.

Bluestocking Social and High Score Saloon have partnered for a summer reading program that rewards both kids and adults for spending more time with books.

If there's a better combination than reading, pizza, and arcade games, I have yet to find it.

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Adults Can Earn Free Pizza by Buying Books

The program is called "Level Up!" and is designed to encourage reading throughout the summer.

Adults who purchase five books from Bluestocking Social during the program will receive a Level Up! pin.

That pin can then be redeemed at High Score Saloon, located at 309 Main Street, for free pizza.

Not a coupon.

Not a discount.

A whole pizza.

Now that's the kind of motivation some of us need to finally tackle those growing TBR piles.

Kids Can Earn Free Arcade Fun Too

The program also includes a reward for younger readers.

Children who read 10 books this summer will receive a free day pass to High Score Player Two, located at2814 Mount Vernon Avenue.

Player Two is High Score's family-friendly gaming location and features:

• Classic arcade games
• Skee-ball
• Crane Machines
• And more

And yes, it even has that classic neon arcade carpet aesthetic that glows under black lights and somehow instantly transports you back in time.

How to Join the Program

Participating in Level Up! is easy.

Anyone can stop by Bluestocking Social, located at 606 South Weinbach Avenue, and speak to an employee to sign up.

The program is designed to encourage reading while supporting locally owned businesses, creating a win-win for readers and the Evansville community.

Read More: These Indiana Waterparks Are Worth the Trip this Summer

A Refreshingly Old-School Summer Idea

In a world where everything seems to revolve around screens, algorithms, and notifications, the idea of rewarding people for picking up a book feels wonderfully old-fashioned in the best possible way.

Read a book.

Earn a reward.

Support local businesses.

Have some fun.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are still the best ones.