Crusaders win thousands of young readers Local sporting heroes have spurred Christchurch school children to read more than 87,000 books as part of Christchurch City Libraries’ Reading Crusade promotion.

Launched by the Crusaders, the promotion has resulted in more than 7,200 children from 122 Christchurch primary and intermediate schools each reading their choice of 12 Super Titles for prizes including Crusaders posters and book vouchers.

One lucky reader will be a Crusader for a day, which includes joining the Crusaders at their training session and being presented with their own Crusaders jersey.

In some schools more than 50% of students completed reading their 12 Super Titles during the six week Reading Crusade promotion.

Teachers have indicated that the promotion has “encouraged traditional non-readers to become involved in reading”.

Burwood School has reported “our school was buzzing with excitement over the Reading Crusade. We had a wonderful display in our library and children through the school were hooked into reading.”

Annette Williams of Christchurch City Libraries, who initiated the event, remarked that it had been gratifying to find that nearly half of the entries had come from boys. “We know from our own experience that it is often more difficult to attract boys to reading, so to see so many completing twelve books indicates the influence of sporting heroes as role models.”

Crusaders will present prizes to Reading Crusade winners at the Centre for the Child, ground floor, Central City Library next Tuesday 8 April at 12.30pm.

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