Fun launch event this Saturday (8 July) for sporty Summer Reading Challenge Published 4th July 2023
The Summer Reading Challenge – Ready, Set, Read! – gets under way
in all Sandwell libraries from Saturday (8 July), encouraging children aged four to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure.
Come along to the Sandwell launch event, which is being held at Wednesbury Library, Walsall Street, on Saturday (8 July). The launch event is free to enter and includes face painting from 12noon-2pm, the official launch at 1pm and story time at 1.30pm. There’s also a Zumbini music and dance session for toddlers by To The Pointe dance school at 2pm (contact the library to book a space for the Zumbini session by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 0121 569 4945).
This year's Summer Reading Challenge has a focus on reading, sport and play. It aims to keep children's minds and bodies active over the summer break, empowering young people to forge new connections with others and unleash the power of play, sport and physical activity through reading. Children can join the challenge at their local Sandwell library where they will receive a special collector folder, stickers and other special incentives. Library staff will also help them find books to read. They can set their own goal and read as many books as they want between 8 July and 24 September, helping them to maintain their reading over the summer. They need to visit the library at least three times during the challenge.
This nationwide initiative is run in partnership with The Reading Agency and Youth Sports Trust to help support children's reading skills over the summer. Sandwell Libraries are also offering the Mini Challenge for under-fours. Councillor Syeda Khatun, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “If you need to join your local library, our friendly library staff will be there to help. With a range of fun events planned for the summer, there is something for everybody to try.” Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “At Sandwell Libraries, there are so many great resources to help young people improve their reading and writing.
The 2023 Summer Reading Challenge is a perfect way to get involved and improve your reading skills over the summer holidays.” You can also choose to take part in the challenge online by signing up but please note this is separate to the in-person challenge in libraries. Physical incentives like medals and certificates are only available via libraries for those taking part in the in-person challenge.