To celebrate the National Year of Reading, the School Library Association and publisher Barrington Stoke have launched a brand-new award to celebrate young people who have overcome personal barriers or challenges to become enthusiastic readers.

Aimed at pupils in Years 7 and 8 (S1 and S2 in Scotland), the Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award is designed to celebrate engagement, enjoyment and determination over academic attainment or reading fluency. It will also highlight the vital role school libraries and librarians play in getting the right books into the hands of the right pupils, helping every child develop their own positive relationship with reading.

The award is open to all UK schools, regardless of SLA membership. Teachers, headteachers and school librarians have until 15th May to nominate their pupils, after which a panel of judges – made up of authors, librarians, and representatives from Barrington Stoke and media partner First News – will decide on a shortlist.

The inaugural winner will be announced in November at the SLA’s Annual Awards Ceremony and will receive £400 worth of Barrington Stoke books for their school library, a £100 book token for themselves and a digital subscription to First News for both home and school.

Catherine Johnson, author and judge said: ‘I am so excited to be a judge for the brand-new Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award! I firmly believe that school libraries and librarians are an integral part of any school community. And I am thrilled to help shine a light on those students – a vital part of those communities – who have found their way into books.’

Victoria Dilly, CEO of the SLA, said, ‘Launching a brand-new award that celebrates young readers puts children and young people at the heart of our National Year of Reading activity. We are thrilled to be joining forces with Barrington Stoke – their focus on making books accessible to every reader makes them the perfect partner for an award specifically recognising young people who have had to overcome challenge to discover the joy of reading. The Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award will celebrate the curiosity, empathy and imagination that all children and young people can unlock when they discover the joy of reading.

With children’s reading for pleasure at an all-time low, and a mandatory Year 8 reading test soon to enter the curriculum, the need to celebrate children’s reading enjoyment has never been so important. We know that school libraries and school librarians help millions of children to develop more positive relationships with reading, and I can’t wait to hear about some of them.’

Nominate your pupils before 15th May.