This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The annual event, which encourages children to read various books over the summer holidays, is themed around record breakers this year.
The world record attempt aims to have the most ever ‘pledges’ from children to read books or from adults to pledge to support a campaign for children to read books.
Pledges can be made in Newport Library on Friday 10 July between 9.30am and 11am, and in Cowes Library on Saturday 11 July, between 10 am and 4pm. Additional dates to make pledges may be added at a later time.
The Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read six books of their own choice over the school holidays. As they work towards their goal, they are rewarded with stickers and other prizes, and children who complete the challenge by Saturday 4 September receive a medal and a certificate.
The reading challenge itself gets underway from Saturday 10 July and is free to join. Children can join at any point during the school holidays at any library on the Island including the mobile library and community-run libraries.
Councillor Shirley Smart, Executive member with responsibility for libraries, said:
“The annual Reading Challenge is always very popular and encourages our children to pick up and read books through out the summer holidays.”
“I will be making a pledge myself in Newport Library on Friday morning this week as I am a very keen supporter of initiatives such as the Challenge.”
Last year over 2,400 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge, with 1600 successfully reaching the end and winning medals and certificates.
Reading Hack Young Volunteering Project
Teenagers can also get involved this summer by joining the Cabinet Office funded Reading Hack Young Volunteering Project.
By signing children up for the Summer Reading Challenge, handing out rewards, and chatting to children about their reading, young volunteers will develop skills useful for future employment and university applications.
All travel costs will be paid and anyone interested can apply in Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Cowes, Freshwater or Ventnor libraries.
