Reading for Pleasure

A recent survey by The National Literacy Trust into reading for pleasure among 8-18 year olds has shown that an increasing number of children and young people are choosing to read in their spare time.

Research shows that those who read each day outside of lessons are more likely to achieve beyond the expected levels for their age group than those who never read.  There is still a gap between boys and girls, with more girls than boys enjoying reading for pleasure.  Parents’ role in encouraging children and young people to read is key too.

Former Children’s Laureate and award winning author Michael Morpurgo stressed the importance of libraries and Librarians within schools and the community saying:

“…government too should remember that literacy must first and foremost be enjoyed, if we are to engage our most reluctant readers, and remember too that libraries and librarians, both in schools and in our communities, must be a priority."

Among the most popular novels mentioned by participants in the survey were:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Harry Potter by J K Rowling

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

All of which are available to borrow in the Discovery and War Memorial Libraries.