Reading challenge champions to receive awards

Children aged four to 11 from across the town were invited to take part in a free Summer Reading Challenge run by Hartlepool Council’s Libraries Service to increase youngsters’ interest in books and boost reading confidence.

The goal was to read six books over the school holidays, with Animal Agents as the theme of this year’s challenge. Youngsters were tasked with solving weird and wonderful cases, from deciphering mysterious graffiti writing to catching the culprit who took the missing lunch. 

Children could also collect sticker clues to piece together in their detective folder and hep the Animal Agents crack the cases once and for all.

12 local children also acted as ‘young volunteers’ over the summer, helping the other children choose books, talking about the titles they had read and helping with the craft sessions.

Councillor Kevin Cranney, Chair of the Council’s Regeneration Services Policy Committee, said: “Congratulations to all this year’s Summer Reading Challenge champions on their achievement, and well done to the library staff, parents and the other youngsters who have encouraged the children along the way.

“It is important that we help to avoid the summer holiday ‘dip’ in children’s reading, and encourage them to take on a challenge, strengthen their literacy skills, boost their confidence and hopefully fall in love with reading. This way, they return to school keen and ready to learn.”

To mark their achievements, the young people will receive a special medal and certificate at a number of presentations over the next few days:

Tuesday 29 August at the Headland Library in Middlegate at 10.30am, when the certificates will be presented by Councillor Mike McLaughlin.

Thursday 31 August at Seaton Carew Library in Station Lane at 10.30am, when the certificates will be presented by Councillor Kevin Cranney.

Thursday 31 August at Community Hub Central Library when there will be two presentations (one at 2pm and one at 3pm) by Deputy Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Cranney, for children who took part in the challenge at Community Hub Central Library.

Thursday 31 August at Community Hub South Library in Wynyard Road at 2.15pm, when the certificates will be presented by Deputy Mayor Councillor Allan Barclay.

Thursday 31 August at Throston Grange Library in Glamorgan Grove at 3pm, when the certificates will be presented by Councillor Sandra Belcher.