Summer Reading Challenge

Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest free reading for pleasure programme for children.

Taking place annually, the Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep reading during the summer holidays.

Children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. The Summer Reading Challenge helps by regularly reaching over 700,000 children each year, motivating them to visit their local library and keep reading during the holidays, and in turn helping them to maintain their reading skills and confidence.

Information for Schools

The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school-aged children. By introducing the Challenge in your classroom, you can help us engage children ahead of the summer holidays. There are lots of ways to get involved!

If you would like to request a visit from one of your local library team to introduce the Challenge via an assembly or class visit, please email: LibrariesHQ@worcestershire.gov.uk with the subject line ‘SRC school visit request’. One of the team will be in touch to arrange a convenient date.

The Summer Reading Challenge can: 

  • help to prevent the summer reading ‘dip’ for pupils 
  • ensure your pupils are ready for their return to school in the autumn 
  • support the transition between year groups and key stages 
  • improve language skills, especially for those for whom English is a second language

To help you engage your pupils around reading and the Challenge, there are lots of free resources available on the website: Summer Reading Challenge.

Become a volunteer

Worcestershire Libraries are on the lookout for enthusiastic young volunteers, aged 13 and above, to embark on an exciting journey this summer.

We have a number of interesting and exciting opportunities for our volunteers to get involved in:

General role - tasks include

Helping libraries prepare for the SRC by designing and putting up displays and special collections of books, helping register children to the challenge, engaging in conversations about their reading choices, assisting in the selection of new books, distributing stickers and incentives, photocopying and organizing activity sheets and aiding children in accessing the SRC website.

Book specialist - tasks include

Developing and maintaining well-stocked displays using library stock, creating a "Who Writes Like" display, providing recommendations for children's reading choices, conducting interviews with library staff for their recommended reads and display suggestions. Promoting reading for pleasure.

Event Planner - roles include

Developing and overseeing competitions and events and planning and helping to facilitate special activities to encourage participation in the SRC.

You can sign up by completing our online form, contacting Worcestershire Libraries or visiting your local library.

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