School Reading Initiative

The new school term has started with an exciting delivery into secondary schools across Manchester.

An eagerly awaited delivery of the 24 books that have made it onto the long-list of this year’s Manchester Book Award, has been received by pupils at Parklands High School in Wythenshawe, who can’t wait to start reading!

The Manchester Book Award, now in its fourth year and open to 11-14 year olds, has been credited with making reading for teenagers fun and popular again.

Reading groups in schools, libraries and other community venues are invited to read some (or all!) of the books, to discuss the issues raised, write reviews; exchange comments online and ultimately vote for their favourite read! The winner will then be announced at a glittering award ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium next March, which will be attended by the short-listed authors, young people, as well as the mayor and other VIPs.

Last year’s award went to author Sophie Mckenzie for her book Girl, Missing and the popular writer has made it onto the long-list again this year with her new book Six Steps to a Girl. There is also a whole host of familiar and new authors who are proving a big hit with young people in the city.

The Manchester Book Award has received celebrity support, with television’s Richard & Judy praising the initiative, which, like their own book club, is bringing reading to the masses. They said:

“The Manchester Book Award is a fantastic project and we are delighted to see Manchester doing so much to promote reading among young people.”

School reading groups will be busy reading and voting until December when the shortlist will be announced, after which time other reading groups and individuals can take part.

You can find out more information or join through the new-look Manchester Book Awards website, which has also launched this week www.manchesterbookaward.com

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council said: “The response to the Manchester Book Award has been tremendous with more and more young people taking part each year. We had 35 reading groups involved last year, and expect even more this time around.”

“As well as developing reading as a skill, positively impacting on the imagination, vocabulary and concentration levels, the reading groups and forums also encourage independent thought and lively debate increasing the confidence levels of many of the young people who take part.”