Hull MP backs children's Summer Reading Challenge

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has backed the Summer Reading Challenge to get 650,000 youngsters across the UK reading throughout the summer holidays.

The Summer Reading Challenge is ten years old this year. It is run by The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get people reading more, in partnership with the UK library network and supported by children's book publishers.

Research shows how central reading for pleasure is for children's life chances, and the Summer Reading Challenge is shown to improve children's reading range, confidence and enjoyment. Schools say that this contributes to their overall confidence and reading achievement, with potentially life-changing results.

Each MP who attended the House of Commons launch of this year's Summer Reading Challenge was presented with a set of books, donated by children's publishers, to present to a local library. Diana will be donating the books that she received to Hull North's Bransholme Library at North Point Shopping Centre when she visits on 30 July.

The Summer Reading Challenge to children is simple. Children are asked to read six books through their local library this summer school holiday one book per week. Children are given a special pack and a set of incentives to collect as they read, with a certificate or medal for those who successfully complete the Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge has a different theme each year. This year's Challenge has a sporting theme and is called 'Team Read', with a programme of activities, incentives and an interactive website at http://www.teamread.co.uk/.

Diana Johnson MP said: "It was a pleasure to attend the launch of this year's Summer Reading Challenge, which is supported by Hull libraries each summer, and to collect some books to donate to Bransholme Library.

"This year's sporting theme is a great idea and I hope that it will encourage more children than ever to join in and develop their reading skills. The challenge should keep Hull North children active and interested throughout the long summer holidays. I hope that it will help to develop a positive attitude towards reading for fun that they will take with them into adult life."