The Summer Reading Challenge is a great activity for kids to be part of during the summer holidays. This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
More than 1300 children on the Isle of Wight are being rewarded for completing a reading challenge over the school summer holidays.
Each year, local libraries take part in the national Summer Reading Challenge, which encourages children to read six books during the holidays. If they complete the challenge, they are given a medal and certificate. This year’s theme was based on Circus Stars, with children asked to ‘roll up’ to the challenge.
This year, Island libraries also took part in a national scheme to encourage more young people to volunteer in libraries. On the Island, eight young volunteers gave up their time to help encourage children to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge.
Feedback helps develop the scheme
Several volunteers gave feedback to say how they found the experience rewarding and they would be keen to continue to volunteer in local libraries. Several parents also commented on how their children were inspired to read by receiving encouragement from young people close to them in age.
Additionally, 194 children told library staff they specifically joined their local library just so they could take part in the challenge.
Medals for all
All children who earned a medal were invited to write a review or draw a picture of their favourite book of the summer.
The best entry from each library has been selected, and the winning children will be given prizes on Saturday October 8 at Newport’s Lord Louis Library at 1100.
Hundreds of other children who also took part in the reading challenge received wristbands, fridge magnets and stickers as rewards for reading either two or four books during the summer.
And the winners are
Bembridge Library: Oliver Blenkinsop, 7
Brighstone Library: Maxwell Bradshaw, 5
Cowes Library: Thomas Skinner, 5
East Cowes Library: William Lakin, 5
Freshwater Library: Aoife Lacey, 5
Lord Louis Library: Luke Bilham-Sanderson, 10
Mobile Library: Geraldine Scambell, 6
Niton Library: Ellie Rochford, 6
Ryde Library: Gabriel Wells, 6 & Grace Cockayne, 7
Sandown Library: Pearl Bax, 8 & Lauryn Harris, 11
Shanklin Library: Ruby Sampson, 8
Ventnor Library: Emma Hughes, 8
