The challenge is a national initiative being run in libraries across the country. It is completely free of charge but children do need to be members of the library in order to take books out. It will start in Wicklow Libraries from the 26th June. Children will get a reading card when they join to keep track of their progress and the challenge is to read 8 books. They’ll get a range of prizes for different milestones along the way from bookmarks, to bags, pencils and wristbands. At the end if they finish the challenge they will get a certificate with their name on it.
Children and families will also have access to fun reading activities on the Summer Stars website, www.summerstars.ie. The site has lots of online activities as well as a range of animated ebooks. You will find a children’s books discussion board and interviews with well-known people about their favourite books. There are also helpful tips for reading and recommended titles by age group for children to read. The books can then be borrowed from your local library service, and it’s all free.
Many of the Wicklow library branches will be running events to tie in with the challenge and more information can be found on the branch pages on our website: http://www.wicklow.ie/library-
You can also find more information again on the Summer Stars website above.
The challenge runs from the 26th until the end of the holidays and children can register at any point during this time. The challenge is a fantastic way of encouraging children to keep reading during their holidays at a time when reading levels tend to drop. It would be great if you could give the scheme some coverage in advance of it starting.
