Welcome to the

First Minister's Reading Challenge

The First Minister’s Reading Challenge aims to help children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 develop a love of reading

An open book with letters coming out of it

What is the First Minister's Reading Challenge?

We challenge you to start your reading journey and to help children and young people discover the power of reading. If you work with young people aged 5-18, the First Minister's Reading Challenge is open for you.

A primary school age boy in a grey school uniform at an author event
Primary schools

Bring reading to life for your pupils with our resources, reading passports and book suggestions

A secondary school pupil with red hair and a school tie at an author event
Secondary schools

Kickstart your reading journey and engage teens and young people in your secondary school

Two pupils in blue hoodies with an author in a library
Libraries

Showcase the work you're doing in libraries to help children and young people discover the joy of reading

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Community groups

Help young people discover the power of reading for pleasure in your community setting

Find out more about the Reading Challenge

Resources and inspiration

We have lots of resources available to help you on your reading journey, from guides to taking part and lesson plans to quizzes and games.

Book discovery guide
Book Discovery Guide

Research by the Open University shows that teacher knowledge of contemporary children's books makes a big difference when it comes to instilling a love of reading in pupils.

This Book Discovery Guide, produced by Scottish Book Trust for the First Minister's Reading Challenge, is full of book recommendations and themed booklists to help you find great reads for primary and secondary school pupils, including:

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Reading resolutions examples
Reading Resolutions

A new year or term is a great opportunity to reinvigorate your pupils' interest in reading, and one way to do this is by setting a reading resolution. This resource contains a variety of suggestions for resolutions for the year ahead, split into primary and secondary. You or your pupils can select one of these, or be inspired to create your own.
 

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Case studies and inspiration

Our blog is full of ideas about building a reading culture and encouraging young people to read for pleasure, with case studies from participants, book suggestions and more!

The Little Squirrel who Worried and The Little Otter who Tried book covers
Supporting childrens' wellbeing in the classroom through books
6 April 2023

Katie O’Donoghue is a child and young people’s therapist with a background in Fine Art and Design. She has a Master's degree in Art Psychotherapy and is in the end stages of a Health Psychology PhD.

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Stuard Reid on a stage striking a pose
'Books are brilliant. . . Reading rocks!': an FMRC-funded workshop at Golfhill Primary
27 February 2023

Their reading journey 

Golfhill Primary are back for a new year of the First Minister's Reading Challenge, and their current P5 and P7 classes have taken over a leadership role to celebrate reading journeys across the school – creating certificates to award fellow pupils when the

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Get the resources and support you need to promote reading in your school or community

Take part