For Students
- For the traditional challenge you may read any book of your choice (in paper or electronic form). This can include any genre in picture books, novels, comic books, graphic novels, poetry, or non-fiction books. If you read a book that you really enjoyed, consider writing a book review and sharing it with your teacher and class. The review can be counted as a book on your record.
- If you ‘Challenge yourself to read something different’ you should review the challenge list and find interesting things to read.
- How to choose the best book:
- look for topics that you are interested in
- look at the front cover and illustrations in the book
- read the blurb and the first page
- look for other books written by a favourite author
- ask friends, family or teachers for recommendations
- check out all the e-readers now available through your school and public library.
For Parents and Carers
Tips for reading with all children:
- visit the local library and enjoy spending time choosing new books and reading together, including e-books and audio books
- give books or book vouchers as presents
- ensure that your children see you reading, such as the newspaper, a cookbook, novel, short stories, manuals, or magazines
- identify online reading, such as online news, reviews, communications and e-books
- go to libraries or bookshops when authors are visiting - children and teenagers love meeting their favourite writers
- make sure your home is a reading home - with books and quiet, comfortable spaces to read
- encourage your children to read in any of the languages your family uses
- identify or schedule time for reading, such as before bed or between getting ready for school and leaving
- read books together before watching the film and then share thoughts about the two portrayals of the story.
Tips for reading with older children:
- encourage children to keep a book with them so they can read on journeys or in spare moments – this could include e-books
- support your child to search for books and read book reviews in interest areas, such as hobbies, sports, genres, favourite authors and biographies
- encourage children to join you as you read a recipe for you as you cook, or share a movie summary or review
- read books you can talk about together - ensure the talk is light-hearted, not testing or over-questioning
- encourage your children to swap books with their friends.
Tips for reading with younger children:
- read the books together with funny voices, or take turns to read different characters
- talk about your favourite parts of the books and which authors you like the most
- try reading in different locations like the backyard, coffee shop, or lounge room floor
- allow your child to choose how to read the book. They may like to do echo reading with you (parent reads and the child echoes back), shared reading with you (taking turns to read) or independent reading (read to you or to themselves).
- include reading time in your daily classroom program
- encourage students to write reviews of books they have read and to share these with other students
- incorporate the Challenge into home reading and home learning
- create in-house rewards systems for student participation and achievement, for example:
- have a team of Challenge coordinators with each classroom teacher responsible for their students’ forms
- encourage students to take ownership of their reading record sheets
- invite authors and illustrators to visit the school
- include information about the Challenge and regular updates in the school newsletter
- host a Reading Open Day or Night.
- create student book clubs.
For Schools and Teachers
- publicly recognise students who have read 15/30 books or present a school award when students first complete the Challenge
- celebrate individual reading achievements throughout the Challenge by presenting a Merit Certificate to students who reach a personal goal, encourage or support others with reading, or choose to read above and beyond the 15/30 books
- students’ photos can be displayed on a special board
- students can place a star next to their name on a chart when they have read 5, 10,15, 20, 25, and finally 30 books
- students can colour one square on a graph paper display when each book is read showing the mass of books read for the Challenge by all the readers in the school
Looking for book lists and reading recommendations?
Go to our Resources page for some great ideas, links and book recommendations.