Wiltshire children challenged to keep reading with Story Adventurers club

It sets a target of reading 100 books

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 13th Oct 2023

Children in Wiltshire are being challenged to read all year round by Wiltshire Libraries with the Story Adventurers Club.

The challenge launched during Libraries Week, which was from 2nd-8th October, and seeks to build on the momentum created by the Summer Readying Challenge, which had more than 7000 participants this year.

The Story Adventurers Club sets children the target of reading 100 books.

There’s no time limit, allowing readers to progress at their own pace, as well as choosing the books they want to read.

How children can take part

To take part in the challenge, children need a library membership and can register to join the challenge, for free, at any Wiltshire Council library.

Once registered, children will be offered one of four booklets, with different designs and that can be personalised, to record the books they read.

Cllr Ian Blair Pilling, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “Research has shown that reading regularly for pleasure is known to have positive benefits for children and young people, so I would encourage families to come along to their local library to find out more and sign up.

“The challenge is for all children four to 16 years-old, whatever their abilities and interests, and library staff will be on hand to help choose books and encourage them throughout the challenge.”

Advice for young challengers

Harriet Taylor was the first child to read 1000 books in Wiltshire for the original 100 Club scheme.

She said the challenge was a big part of her childhood.

“It helped me grow as a person and I learned to fall even more in love with reading.

“My advice for new Story Adventurers is to get stuck into as many books as you can. It’s great for your brain and there’s a direct correlation that children who read for enjoyment are the people who do well in school.”

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