Summer Reading Challenge Last year 690 000

Summer Reading Challenge • Last year, 690, 000 children in UK took part in Team Read 2008 • 400, 200 children (58%) read 6 or more books • 2. 8 million library books were read during the summer

2008 Challenge in Libraries • 96% of UK libraries involved in 2008 challenge, through 4, 000 libraries • 17. 6 million children’s materials borrowed over 10 weeks (10% more than in 2007) • 47, 000 children became new library members to take part

Challenge 2009: Quest Seekers

How the Challenge works: • Children join free at their local library • Receive moving image record/ membership card and fold-out poster to get them started • As they read over the summer, children collect stickers and novelty incentives at the library when they visit to borrow new books • Completing the Challenge is reading six library books. • Materials for Visually Impaired Children available

Incentives • Libraries choose from: • Bookmark • Magic pen • Dragon model • Fridge magnet • Puzzle

Rewards for completing the challenge • Certificate • Medal • Can be given out at school

Before the Challenge • Information to schools • Visits from library staff • Invitations for children • Noticeboard information poster

Staffroom / notice-board poster available as A 4 download

After the Challenge • Use this wall chart with post-it notes to record children’s responses to the books they’ve read • Children write title and author on post -it and choose where to stick it! • Creates lots of reading ideas to share in class or book group

Beyond Quest Seekers • For 11 -12 year olds (transition children between primary and secondary school) • Packed with booksharing ideas and suggested reads • Encourages new students into library use at secondary school

Booked up version • There will be two versions of this booklet available: the standard version and the Booked Up version. • The Booked Up version is aimed at English authorities because it will carry additional pages containing information about the books in the 2009 Booked Up initiative. This is the DCSF funded book gifting initiative run by Book Trust, which gives a book to each child starting secondary school in September 2009. Children choose a book from 13 titles in the Booked Up collection • Further information: www. bookedup. org. uk

Quest Seekers Activities • Libraries run events and workshops for children and families • Extra activities to encourage reading & creativity • Website for games, quizzes, author blogs, messages and reading advice. Site live from mid June. www. questseekers. org. uk

Why do the Challenge? • Keeps children reading during the holidays • Children read more books, and read more widely • Children feel they are better readers as a result • Children enjoy taking part and want to take part in the next Challenge • Involves families and the community in reading activities.

Literacy co-ordinators say… Children taking part in the challenge • have a more enthusiastic attitude • maintain their reading age/ level for the Autumn term • are more settled and ready to learn • have enhanced confidence and self esteem through doing the Challenge and receiving certificate and medals NEW impact research for 2009 The Reading Agency is working with UKLA to look at impact of Challenge on children’s reading. The methodology used will be the APP (Assessing Pupil Progress) framework in sample authorities

Parents say…. “Our boys didn't have to be asked to read. They just did it, looking forward to their medal and certificate” • “Team Read was fab. It also got me back into using the library - something I haven't done regularly for years!” • “My daughter feels like an Olympic champion with her medal. My son is determined to finish his sixth book…. and he’s dyslexic. Fantastic, easy, well-designed scheme”

Children say… • “I even had a Team Read sleepover where my friends brought their books and we all read. Mum says we were unusually quiet!” • “I thought the scheme was very good. It made me read more books in the holidays and I got a medal to take to school. ” • “This website is great it has encouraged me to read more. ” • “Before I did Team Read I never read anything so mum and dad said Hannah you must read 3 books so I joined Team Read and it made me read more. ”