Summer Reading Challenge

Every year the summer holidays can be a time when children’s reading falters. This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will begin on Saturday 9 July 2022. The Challenge is the UK’s largest free reading for pleasure programme, operating in 95% of public libraries to keep 4-11 year olds reading during the six weeks away from school, which matters more than ever after the pandemic.

On 29 June 2022 at an event in Parliament I heard about this year’s Challenge: “Gadgeteers”. This year’s collection of 67 books focuses on science and innovation, and the role of the imagination in reading and science. The Reading Agency and Science Museum Group kindly donated copies of “Once Upon an Atom” by James Carter and Willian Santiago, and “Science Experiments at Homes” by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker.

Children will be able to borrow books and take part in activities at their local library, and review books on the Challenge website. Downloadable activities, videos, games and quizzes are also available online, at https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/.

The Gadgeteers are a team of six characters who are planning a summer party and need readers’ help to get everything ready through reading books and collecting rewards. There are lists for younger children and more confident readers, and eBook and audiobook availability has been included where possible.

I encourage all children in Walsall to give this exciting Challenge a go this summer and enjoy visiting their local library.