Welcome to The Great Blackmore Reading Quest! 

Phase 2 - Launching Friday 10th January 2025!

Phase 2 - Spring Term

Phase 2 is simple - read 5 times per week! Each week your adults in class will be recording your reading across the week. If you read 5 times that week you will be able to add a token to the jar. If you do this every week until the end of the quest, you will get to take part in our Pancakes and Pages reading rewards afternoon! You will also be entered into a raffle to win a brand new book to keep!

For those of you who read every day during this quest, you will get a special bonus treat!

Did you know, Children who read books often at age 10 and more than once a week at age 16 gain higher results in maths, vocabulary and spelling tests at age 16 than those who read less regularly?

(Source - The Reading Agency)

The Million Word Gap

If a child is never read to they will have heard approximately 4,662 words by the time they are 5 years old.

If a child is read to 1-2 times per week, they will have heard approximately 63,570 words by the time they are 5 years old.

If a child is read to 3-4 times per week, they will have heard approximately 169,525 words by the time they are 5 years old.

If a child is read to daily, they will have heard approximately 296,660 words by the time they are 5 years old.

If a child is read 5 books a day, they will have heard approximately 1,483,300 words by the time they are 5 years old.

What an incredible difference reading can make!

Phase 1 - Autumn Term

Challenge 1 - Read a poetry book or poem

You don't have to read an entire anthology of poetry - just choose a few that catch your eye! Although, if you do want to read the whole book, go for it! A few good places to start if you're looking for a poetry book can be found below:

• 100 Best Poems for Children
• Michael Rosen’s Book of Very Silly Poems
• Spike Milligan - Silly Verse for Kids
• The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry
• Roald Dahl - Revolting Rhymes
• A.A Milne - When We Were Very Young
• Benjamin Zephiniah - People Need People

https://www.theschoolrun.com/best-poetry-books-children 

Challenge 2 - Read a book outside

Probably the easiest of all the challenges! You might have a favourite spot in a park, or a cosy chair in your garden, or even a tree house! Reading in nature is one of life's great pleasures - just enjoy this challenge! Oh, and remember to wrap up warm!

Challenge 3 - Read a comic book or graphic novel

This challenge may take you to a genre you have not explored before. You may need to visit a library to find one, or borrow a book from a friend. We have lots of comic book style books in our reading boxes at school - you can ask your teacher or TA to help you choose one next time you change your book.

• Dog Man books by Dav Pilkey
• Bunny vs Monkey books by Jamie Smart
• Captain Underpants by Dav Pikley
• Max and Chaffy by Jamie Smart (good for younger readers)
• Oxford Owl Hero Academy books (these are in our phonics reading scheme in KS1 - also available for free on Oxford Owl online)

Challenge 4 - Read a book with a friend

This challenge could be done during a playdate after school or at the weekend. It could be a school friend or a friend from outside of school. You could share your favourite book with them, or ask them to bring their favourite book to share with you. 

Challenge 5 - Read a spooky book for Halloween

It does not have to be a really scary book! There are lots of lovely Halloween themed books out there. See below for some suggestions. Bonus points if you read it on Halloween or in costume!

• Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas
• Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
• The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt
• Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books by Barry Timms
• The Witches by Roald Dahl
• Isadora Moon books by Harriet Muncaster
• Shiver Point by Gabriel Dylan (age 9+)

Challenge 6 - Read a book to an animal

You might choose to cuddle up with your pet and read them a story! However, if you don't have a pet, it's not a problem! You could read to the birds or squirrels in your garden, or the ducks at the pond! Bonus points if it is an animal themed book!

Looking for a great read?

LOVE HARRY POTTER BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT TO READ NEXT?
Follow the link to the Brightly website for 15 other book series that you may be interested in.
https://www.readbrightly.com/10-series-to-read-after-harry-potter/

LOOKING FOR OTHER GREAT READS?
The Book Trust has lists of recommended reads for different age groups. Try something new, click on the list for your age group and see what they have in store for you...

Visit our library to enter a world of excitement and adventure!

Are you between 4-5 years old?https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/g/great-books-guide-4-5/

Are you ween 6-8 years old? https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/1/100-best-books-6-8/

Are you between 9-11 years old? https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/1/100-best-books-9-11/
 

Do you love an adventure story?
Read all the Famous Five and Secret Seven books?
The Book Trust has some brilliant suggestions for your next read.
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-features/features/2018/august/what-to-read-after-enid-blyton/