After coming face to face with billion year old meteorites, moon maps and out of this world science experiments, the troop of book lovers, armed with their library cards, put their literacy skills to the test as they picked out their very first Summer Reading Challenge books ahead of this year’s Space Chase themed Challenge, which begins on 22nd June.

Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life, said:

This summer, young Glaswegians will once again be filling our libraries as they take on the space-themed Summer Reading Challenge.

Last year almost 4000 young people in our city took part in the Challenge and this year’s mission promises to be even better, with Glasgow’s libraries creating fantastic opportunities for young people to get on board with books and reading throughout the summer holidays.

Run by charity The Reading Agency, in partnership with library services, this year’s Challenge – Space Chase - will see young Glaswegians flock to their local library to explore books packed full of adventure, invention, travel and exciting new worlds.

Each year the Challenge is based around an exciting new theme to inject fun and creativity, motivating children to read for pleasure during the summer holidays, a time when children's literacy skills can dip with potentially damaging effects.

This year, The Reading Agency has moved the Challenge to outer space, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.

Eager readers keen to take up the Challenge are invited to head to their local Glasgow library, sign up and read six books of their choice during the school holidays. And with special stickers, rewards and prizes on offer there’ll be loads of reasons to keep reading all summer.

Since 1999 the Summer Reading Challenge has been drawing children into their local libraries and inspiring them to read for pleasure. Last year, 699,076 children across the UK took part in the Beano Mischief Makers themed Challenge, including 3859 young people across Glasgow.

This year, libraries across the city will be hosting an array of exciting events and activities to help even more youngsters engage in the programme.

Free Space Chase activities including innovative storytelling events, action-packed workshops and craft sessions will be delivered in libraries across Glasgow, with library staff on hand to support children, helping them to discover new authors and explore a wide range of different types of books.

The Summer Reading Challenge runs from 22nd June – 10th August and is open to anyone aged 4-12, with a special mini-challenge to keep the under 4s entertained too. To find out more, please visit: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries