Vivacity libraries announce 2014 summer reading challenge!

Peterborough libraries will be taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2014, which this year has been named as Mythical Maze

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s leading reading-for-pleasure programme for primary-aged children, which is organised by independent charity The Reading Agency. The aim of the Challenge is to prevent the summer dip in children’s literacy skills.

Last year, record-breaking numbers of children enjoyed a spine-tingling summer by taking part in the Creepy House Summer Reading Challenge. 2,000 children across Peterborough participated in the 2013 programme, with 1,200 finishers by the closing date – an increase of 20% on the previous year. This reflects the overall improvement in participation figures for the East of England, which was up 12% in 2013.

The Summer Reading Challenge is open to children of all ages, and it aims to encourage them to read six books during the summer holidays in order to improve reading skills and confidence. Feedback from 2013 was fantastic, and parents reported children enjoying the challenge, reading throughout the summer and even going up several stages in their reading ability when they returned to school.

The Summer Reading Challenge harnesses the power of reading for pleasure to improve children’s life chances. Children who use libraries are twice as likely to be above average readers.*

‘We’re absolutely delighted that so many children took part in our summer reading challenge last year,’ says Peter Aldridge, Events and Programme Officer for Vivacity Libraries. ‘The Challenge is very important to us because it encourages children to keep reading through the school summer holidays. We’re looking forward to 2014’s Summer Reading Challenge, which will start in early July!’

For more information, visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com

* National Literacy Trust, 2011