Justin Tomlinson MP has welcomed a report from The Reading Agency which shows that a record 810,089 children took part in the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge in libraries, a 9% increase on participation on 2012. 66,760 children joined the library to take part and 3.5 million children’s books were borrowed from libraries during the summer period.
The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s leading reading for pleasure programme for primary aged children; it runs in 98% of local authorities every summer. The 2013 Challenge, called Creepy House and illustrated by Chris Riddell, inspired 777,973 children aged 4-11 to take up the challenge to read six books at their local library. An additional 6,711 under 4s took part, and internationally the Challenge reached 25,405 children through the British Council (12,060) and in the Republic of Ireland (13,345).
Use of http://www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ also greatly increased. Between 1 June and 30 September children added 192,661 books to the Book Sorter, a powerful crowd-sourced reading recommendation tool. The website attracted 188,689 visitors (up 39%), visiting the site 343,876 times (up 57%), with 3,916,895 million page views (up 48%).
Children were spurred on by Summer Reading Challenge champions including soccer star Frank Lampard and children’s laureate Malorie Blackman.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "It is fantastic news that once again the Summer Reading Challenge has increased the number of young people reading up and down the country. Every year, more and more young people are taking part in the challenge, reading at least six books during the school summer holidays and it is testament to the hard work of The Reading Agency. I'm looking forward to next year's challenge and, having had a sneak preview of it, I know that young people will love it!"
Miranda McKearney, Director of The Reading Agency said: "It’s hugely cheering to see librarians achieve these stunning Creepy House results in tough times. Recent research shows what a shocking literacy problem society faces, and children need libraries’ support for reading more badly than ever. By injecting fun, freedom and creativity the Summer Reading Challenge improves children’s reading levels and motivation".
Janene Cox, President of The Society of Chief Librarians said: "These stupendous Creepy House results are testimony to the enduring relevance and power of libraries’ work to inspire children to love reading. We congratulate The Reading Agency and the library staff who have done such an important job over the summer. Research shows that children who enjoy reading do better in life, and that’s something the whole of society needs to focus on".
