Celebrating a love of reading at the Young Readers Award

The Young Readers Award, a pilot initiative as part of the 2026 National Year of Reading, has brought together young book lovers from across Tameside at a celebration of reading.

Delivered by Tameside Council’s Library Service, the programme engaged ten local secondary schools, each putting forward a group of readers from years seven to nine.

Over the course of three months, students explored three critically acclaimed titles by authors based in or around the North West.

As part of the programme, participants visited their local libraries and took part in creative workshops led by two of the featured authors, Lis Jardine and Ashley Thorpe, where they began crafting their own crime and fantasy stories - projects they could continue developing after the sessions.

The programme concluded with a vibrant celebration event, where each school presented their chosen favourite title. Students showcased their creativity through short, dynamic presentations, bringing their chosen stories to life and sharing what made them stand out.

The winning title, chosen through the students’ votes, was Doug Naylor with his book Sin Bin Island

The event also offered a unique opportunity for students to take part in live Q&A sessions with the authors, giving them the chance to ask questions, gain insights, and be inspired by the creative process behind the books they have explored.

The National Year of Reading is continuously promoting reading for pleasure, and encouraging people to read whatever they are interested in.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “What a fantastic event to celebrate students’ love of reading. As part of the National Year of Reading, we are encouraging a greater focus on reading and fostering a lasting interest in books. We hope all the young people involved enjoyed the programme, and we congratulate them on the superb, creative work they produced.”