About
The Six Book Challenge invites less confident readers to read six books and record their reading in a diary in order to receive incentives, a certificate and the chance to enter a national prize draw. Participating organisations such as colleges, prisons and workplaces also have the chance to enter prize draws to win a visit by a top author.
The Reading Agency launched the Six Book Challenge in 2008. Since then an estimated 47,500 people have registered for the scheme and 17,000 have completed it. The idea is to help people get into reading - in many cases for the first time - and it works!
Organisations such as libraries, colleges, prisons and workplaces register to take part by purchasing packs of materials from the Reading Agency Shop. These include reading diaries, certificates, participants leaflets, information fliers, posters and bookmarks - see guidance on how to use these. Please contact us if you would like to know if other organisations in your area are taking part so that you can work in partnership. Most run the Challenge from early in the year until the summer but it can be used at any point during the year to suit the organisation concerned.
- Over two-thirds of library services across the UK take part each year, working in partnership with local colleges, adult education, family learning, children's centres, prisons and workplaces.
- Around 80 colleges have purchased materials directly so far in 2012 and many more are taking part with the support of their local public library service
- Around 100 prisons and YOIs took part in 2011 at least doubling their involvement
- 90 workplaces were involved in 2011 including Boots, Wincanton Logistics, Transport for London, McVitie's and over 20 NHS Trusts.
Most participants read books to take part in the Six Book Challenge but the scheme can be used to introduce people to text in lots of different formats such as magazines, newspapers, websites and even digital games. This can be particularly effective if participants are right at the start of their reading journey and need material that is both accessible and of interest to them. There are over 900 reading recommendations on our Find a Read database to help your selection.
Watch the video to see how it works. Visit the Reading Agency Shop to order materials and our Support section for more guidance and ideas.
This film was produced when the Six Book Challenge was made a finalist in the Libraries Change Lives Awards run by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in 2009.