Summer Reading Challenge launched

Children will be challenged to read six books with a sporting theme over the summer

The Reading Agency has announced details of its Summer Reading Challenge™, to be run in public libraries throughout the UK.

The Challenge, which reaches 650,000 children annually, has a sports theme this year – called ‘Team Read’. Children will be challenged to read six books with a sporting theme over the summer, through their local library. They get a special pack and set of incentives to collect as they read, and if they successfully complete the challenge receive a certificate or medal.

Children with visual impairment can also join in the scheme, as support from the RNIB National Library Service means Large Print materials are now available nationally.

An interactive Team Read website (www.teamread.co.uk) will be launched on 16 June, linking children with top authors and illustrators whilst giving them space to talk about their favourite books and share reading ideas.

Enjoying Reading, the partnership project funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and led by the reading agency, is developing resources and models for joint work by libraries and schools to help them capitalise on the reading undertaken in the summer holiday when children return in the autumn. A new website www.enjoyingreading.org.uk also supports school and library partnerships including case studies illustrating practical ways that they can work together.