It’s blast-off time for an out-of-this-world adventure at Manchester libraries as this year’s Summer Reading Challenge ‘Space Chase’ gets underway.
All children aged 4-11 years can take part in the fun and join in for free by asking about it at their local library. All those taking part get a special pack to launch them off on their reading challenge, as well as a few free gifts along the way – including the chance to enter prize draws to win some fantastic prizes.

The summer reading challenge is simple to do – children just have to read any six library books of their own choice or from the Space Chase collection of books and pick up a special sticker each time they finish one. When they’ve completed the challenge they get rewarded with a fabulous medal and entered into the grand prize draw.

There will be lots of other fun things to do during the challenge at libraries across the city with over 160 free family craft and activity sessions planned. Tiny tots will also be able to get involved through a separate mini-challenge of their very own. The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in association with The Reading Agency and is the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children.

Between 2016 and 2018 over 26,000 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in Manchester libraries, and it’s hoped that a record-breaking number of children will take part this year. The challenge comes hot on the heels of the citywide Readathon held in June that saw 36,000 local children sign up to take part in the mammoth fortnight-long charity reading session to raise money for books to go in the library at Manchester Children’s Hospital. Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, said:

“We know that children in Manchester love reading and we’re determined to get even more children involved than before in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Get down to your local library, grab some books, and get involved – it’s going to be out of this world!”

For more details on the Summer Reading Challenge and a full list of activities taking place in Manchester libraries over the summer visit: manchester.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge