Children in Middlesbrough encouraged to explore the town’s most popular stories with new reading logs and the chance to win an iPad mini
Building on the excitement from last week’s World Book Day, Middlesbrough Reads has created a set of reading logs to inspire children of all ages to read for pleasure and more widely.
Based on the Best Reads book list, voted for by local schools, the reading logs are available in four age categories: up to age six, age seven and above, age 10 to 11 and young adults. Each reading log includes 26 titles that children are encouraged to read and acts as a guideline to ensure that they are reading age appropriate materials.
National Literacy Trust research shows that children who are reading at their expected level or above are three times more likely to have higher mental wellbeing than their peers with lower than expected reading skills (40.3% vs 13.1%).
The reading logs have been developed in partnership with the Middlesbrough Promise and will be distributed to primary schools across the town. They will also be available to download from the Middlesbrough Reads website. Once a child has read at least six of the 26 titles in their age category, they are invited to complete a book review about their favourite. All submissions will be entered into a prize draw at the end of school year, in which one lucky child will win an iPad mini.
The National Literacy Trust Hub in Middlesbrough, known locally as Middlesbrough Reads, has been working for more than five years to improve the literacy outcomes of children and families in the town. The campaign is amplified by Middlesbrough Council’s Middlesbrough Promise, a partnership of education, health, literacy and community professionals, which aims to improve the life chances of young people in Middlesbrough through reading.
Allison Potter, manager of Middlesbrough Reads, said: “We’re delighted to launch these exciting reading logs in schools across Middlesbrough and inspire children to fall in love with books. We know that children who enjoy reading are more likely to lead happier lives.
“We encourage children to read as many books as they can and submit as many book reviews as possible to increase their chances of winning a fantastic prize!”
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Media contacts
For further information, please contact Laura Flinn, Media and Communications Officer at the National Literacy Trust on 020 7820 6278 or at laura.flinn@literacytrust.org.uk
About Middlesbrough Reads
The National Literacy Trust Hub in Middlesbrough, known locally as Middlesbrough Reads, works in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, the Middlesbrough Promise, to forge links in the local community and improve literacy in Middlesbrough.
About the Middlesbrough Promise
The Middlesbrough Promise is a key element of Middlesbrough’s school improvement strategy, Learning Middlesbrough. Learning Middlesbrough is a partnership of organisations united in shaping education in Middlesbrough, and enhancing learning opportunities for children and young people. For further information visit http://www.learningmiddlesbrough.co.uk/
About the National Literacy Trust
We are an independent charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK. Our research and analysis make us the leading authority on literacy. We support schools, run projects in the poorest communities and campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and parents.
Visit literacytrust.org.uk to find out more, donate or sign up for our free email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.