County's teens urged to take on #MissionYTF

Staffordshire teen Jacqui taking part

The scheme, now in its third year, run by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries service, is encouraging 11 to 14 year olds to compete in a series of reading themed challenges.

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions in place, this year’s activities will be online.

Teenagers need to choose a book they have read then pick one of the following challenges:

• Re-design a book jacket
• Bake a cake or create a piece of art to represent their favourite character from the book
• Write a haiku (or poem) about how the book makes them feel
• Make a 60 second video to encourage people to read the book they have enjoyed

Photos of completed challenges should be posted on the libraries Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Winning entries will be announced on 23 October with a chance to win a day pass for two people for Alton Towers and a choice of gift vouchers.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities & Culture at Staffordshire County Council said:

“This is a really successful scheme that helps get teenagers into books and helps to keep them reading over the summer holidays.

“This year is a bit different because of the Coronavirus restrictions, so to make it a bit easier, young people can pick any book they have read and then choose one of the list of tasks. It includes regular printed books or anything they have read in a digital format such as e-books, e-audiobooks or e-comics.

“And remember, there’s prizes to be won too, and all the entries will be available to view in November.  Finally, don’t forget to include #MissionYTF so that we pick up on your entry.”

People will be able to view all the entries on an online gallery throughout November.

Details on the mission and how to enter are available at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Libraries/Library-services/childrenteens/Young-Teen-Fiction.aspx#mission