Last updated at 17:27, Tuesday, 15 January 2013

COMPUTER games, smartphones and kindles might be the height of popularity with children today.

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But one Barrow school has been recognised for its love of reading good old-fashioned books.

Roose Primary School is one of only 10 schools nationally to have been chosen as a judge for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2013.

The school was recommended for the honour by the Book Trust due to its work to promote reading.

Children in Years Five and Six have been tasked with reading, discussing and reviewing the shortlisted books, before voting for their favourite.

Headteacher Wendy Jacobs described how pupils cheered when the confirmation was made and the books were brought into the classroom.

She said: “We’re delighted. It’s good it’s been recognised that the children here have a real love of reading and are talented at it.

“Several have read their first book all the way through over the weekend because it’s obviously very special to them that they’ve been chosen to judge it.

“Even the children who find reading difficult are keen to have a go and their parents are keen to support them in doing so.”

Blue Peter will give out two awards for children’s books published in the last year – Best Story and Best Book with Facts. The two winners will be announced on World Book Day, March 7. The children will read either three fiction or three fact books.

They will also write reviews, learn about the authors and study how they are written.

Year Six pupil Alisha Hingley, who is reading The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas, said: “It’s really good, I’m half-way through already. He has left his family behind to go with the circus.”

Year Five pupil Lewis Symon, and Year Six pupil Sydney Henderson, are reading Horrible Science: House of Horrors.

Lewis said: “I like it because it’s gross.”

Sydney added: “I like reading because it’s good for your imagination and books can take you away into them when you sit down and read.”

First published at 16:35, Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk