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Yr 7 Bookbuzz programme launched

25th May 12

A new reading programme from Booktrust will roll-out this September to secondary schools, replacing the free programme Booked Up. Bookbuzz offers secondary schools the chance to give their Year 7 pupils the choice of a reduced-price book.

Bookbuzz offers a specially selected list of 17 titles including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. It costs £2.50 per pupil taking part in the programme. The cost includes two free packs of books (see below) and teacher resources.

Schools wishing to take part in September 2012 should register by Friday 20 July.

The programme, which is supported by participating publishers, is designed to offer a book that will appeal to every child, whatever their ability or interests.

"The element of choice in Bookbuzz is key to its success: in a survey of Year 7 pupils 71% stated that the fact they had chosen a book themselves made them more likely to read it," Booktrust said.

Professor Guy Merchant, Professor of Literacy in Education at Sheffield Hallam University, added, "Giving them the chance to choose and keep a book can be a unique and empowering experience, offering reluctant readers the
encouragement they need to begin to enjoy reading. Bookbuzz will also give students a positive introduction to their school library early in their transition to secondary education, the beneficial effects of which cannot be underestimated.

"The enhancement of the programme with a whole school reading kit is important; where a strong school reading culture is established, this combination of aspiration and support can have a significant impact on students' life chances."

An independent expert panel selected the Bookbuzz titles from a wide range of books submitted by publishers for consideration.


The Bookbuzz book list:

A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis (Templar Publishing)

Journey to the Centre of My Brain by James Carter (Macmillan Children's Books)

Rivets: Lifters by Joe Craig (Franklin Watts Edge)

Heroes by Paul Dowswell (Usborne Publishing)

The Messenger Bird by Ruth Eastham (Scholastic Children's Books)

Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge (Nosy Crow)

Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans (Random House Children's Publisher)

Shadow Forest by Matt Haig (Random House Children's Publisher)

The Secrets Club: Alice in the Spotlight by Chris Higgins (Puffin)

Lost Riders by Elizabeth Laird (Macmillan Children's Books)

The World of Norm: May Contain Nuts by Jonathan Meres (Orchard Books)

Don't Wipe Your Bum with a Hedgehog by Mitchell Symons (Random House Children's Books)

Spook Squad: The Beast of Hangman's Hill by Roger Hurn (Ransom)

Boffin Boy and the Temples of Mars by David Orme and Peter Richardson (Ransom)

The Dragon Machine by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson (Templar Publishing)

Call Me Gorgeous by Giles and Alexandra Milton (Boxer Books)

Hello Dudley by Sam Lloyd (Templar Publishing)


Additional resources provided to all participating schools in the Bookbuzz school packs include two sample sets of the 17 titles (one for the classroom to inspire pupil choice and one for the staffroom so that teachers can read alongside the pupils), free downloadable resources to encourage classroom activity around the Bookbuzz books and an online video which teachers can stream in class to help aid pupil book choice.


Secondary schools can register for and find out additional information about Bookbuzz by visiting the website, below.

www.booktrust.org.uk/bookbuzz

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