Quest Seekers!

Children can become summer reading questers as new Summer Reading Challenge is launched

Libraries across the UK are getting ready to welcome children into a fantastical adventure that will keep them reading throughout the school summer holidays, with the 2009 Summer Reading Challenge™. is an immensely popular and successful reading initiative.

Now in its eleventh year, The Summer Reading Challenge reaches 690,000 children aged four to 12 years annually via the UK library network. It is created and run by The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to inspire more people to read more, and is supported by children’s publishers.

Each year the Summer Reading Challenge to children is simple. They’re encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate or medal for every child who completes the Challenge.

Children can sign up at their local library from 17 July (from 3 June in Scotland), and all materials are absolutely free.

Do you know a child who would like to be a Quest Seeker?

The 2009 Summer Reading Challenge has a fantasy theme. Called Quest Seekers, it will take young readers into a mysterious and wondrous land where they can discover the joy of reading and nurture a life-long love affair with reading and books.

The adventure starts in their local library, where young Quest Seekers meet Cadmus the gatekeeper. Cadmus challenges them to bring back a golden book, and there are three stages to their quest: Firebird Rising, Mountain Mission and Dragon’s Lair.

An interactive Quest Seekers website will launch in June, linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them space to talk about their favourite books and to share reading ideas. Quest Seekers also promotes their local library as a place of wonder for children, where librarians can offer them invaluable advice and guidance to help them through their quest.

There are also large print Summer Reading Challenge materials available for visually impaired children, thanks to the support of the RNIB National Library Service.

‘Our research shows that children really enjoy taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge,’ says Lynne Taylor, Summer Reading Challenge project manager for The Reading Agency. ‘It’s a great way to keep them entertained over the holidays, but more importantly, we know that children who take part read more books and read more widely than those who don’t, with potentially life-changing results.’