Kids challenged to fight alien book thieves

Sunday 14 July 2019

Local children have been set a mission to recuperate books stolen by aliens.

The mission - for those aged between 4 and 11, should they choose to accept it - is part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2019, which is this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Moon landing.

To complete this ‘Space Chase’ mission, children need to borrow and read six library books over the course of the summer, then explain the story to a librarian to receive their sticker.

This year’s mission ‘Space Chase’ is to help the Rocket family through Space and get back the books which aliens have stolen from the Space Library. 

Pictured: Children have to read six books over summer.

It is hoped that the challenge will provide children a more exciting way to experience reading, and help improve literacy levels.

Participating kids will receive a folder when they register for the challenge, where they can collect all the special stickers along the reading journey. 

There is also a dedicated website, which helps find new books to read, and includes games and competitions.

Every child who completes the challenge by reading six books by Saturday 7 September will receive a medal and certificate at their school.

Pictured: Children receive a medal and certificate for their participation in the challenge.

Children can sign up for the challenge at the town library, Les Quennevais branch or the Mobile Library, and need their own library membership card.

Children’s Librarian, Linne Omissi said: “We are always excited to hear about the children’s favourite reads and we encourage anyone aged between 4 and 11 to join us in our Space Chase mission this year.”

In 2018, over 2,200 children took part, and this year is set to be even more popular.