The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Coffee the draw for reluctant readers

31.10.07 Liz Bury

New adult literacy programme the Six Book Challenge is being launched by Costa Coffee and the Reading Agency next year. The challenge will see participants asked to finish six books between January and May 2008, including Quick Reads and other titles aimed at emergent readers. They will receive free Costa Coffee cards and the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to London courtesy of the Costa Book Awards.

Libraries will work in partnership with organisations such as colleges, community adult education centres, trade unions and prisons to deliver the programme. In Glasgow, Leeds and Liverpool it is hoped that links will be forged between Costa Coffee shops and local literacy groups, with the stores hosting awards ceremonies for Challenge completers.

The Challenge is intended to be an annual event. Miranda McKearney, director of The Reading Agency, said: "It's part of our renewed focus on social justice, and builds our ability to get reading support to those who need it most."

It has been piloted successfully in Hull and Yorkshire and the Humber, with support from the BBC RaW adult literacy campaign.

Liz Bury The Reading Agency Six Book Challenge Costa Coffee