AVID readers are reviewing the country’s top authors in an initiative designed to boost literacy.
Northallerton School and Sixth Form College students have formed a Carnegie Shadowing Group, which meets at the town’s library to discuss works vying to take the prestigious annual book award.
About 30 students from Years 7-10 are working their way through the Carnegie Medal shortlist and posting their reviews on the official website.
The books include Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan, Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman, The Fastest Boy in the World by Elizabeth Laird, Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge, When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan, Tinder by Sally Gardner, More Than This by Patrick Ness and The Middle of Nowhere by Geraldine McCaughrean.
The award, due to be made on June 22, has been running for the past 70 years and is considered the most prestigious to win by children’s authors.
Head of the schools’ learning resource centre Christine Brayshaw said: “The group is busy reading the books and discussing them with each other after school in the library. We are then posting reviews on the official website and will vote our own winner.
“Students are really enjoying the process, particularly mixing with a variety of age groups and sharing their common love of literature.”
Hattie Pepper, 14, has tipped Apple and Rain for success. She said: “I like the fact the book covers a lot of issues that young people can relate to.”
Thea Crocker, 15, added: “I’d actually stopped reading recently because I was spending all my time revising for my exams. But this project has got me back into reading for pleasure which is a nice relief from the exam work.”
