A ground-breaking city-wide literacy project for all year six pupils, the first of its kind in Hull, will begin this summer.
‘One Hull of a Read’ is run in partnership with the publisher Scholastic, Hull Libraries, Hull Schools’ Library Service and previous James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award winning author, Helen Rutter. Helen’s new ‘choose your own adventure’ book, The Boy with Big Decisions, will take centre stage.
Officially starting in Hull primary schools in June this year, there will first be a free family event to celebrate the launch of the book’s publication day, on Thursday 10 April from 2 to 4pm at Hull Central Library.
Aimed at families with children aimed eight and over, this interactive event will be filled with games and activities, as well as the opportunity to meet the author.
During the event, year six children can also learn more about the One Hull of a Read project they will begin in the summer.
This June, every Hull pupil in year six of primary school will receive a copy of The Boy with Big Decisions, with author Helen hosting a live webinar to begin the project when she will explain how the book works, things they can expect to encounter along the way and how many different endings there are.
Together in a live read-along, Helen will read up to the first decision that main character, Fred, has to make. Once pupils have read to this pivotal point in the story, they will continue on their reading journey over the summer holidays, taking Fred on his own journey, dependent upon the decisions they make for him.
Book clubs will be established across all branch libraries during the summer holidays, providing a place for pupils to meet socially to read the book, discuss the different storylines and complete the activity booklets they’ll also be given.
Hull Libraries’ Makerspace will be offering free family workshops for pupils to learn how Helen created her book and also be shown how to create their own ‘choose your own adventure’ stories using the software.
Helen will also be appearing at Hull’s much-loved children’s literature event, the Big Malarkey Festival, on Sunday 29 June, and then in the new academic year, will embark upon a city-wide tour of secondary schools.
Michelle Alford, Director for Hull Libraries at Hull Culture and Leisure, said: “One Hull of a Read is a fantastic project that really encourages children to use their imagination and open up discussion about how the story can move and change, depending on the decisions they make.
“The move to secondary school is quite a daunting prospect for many children. This project means that all year six pupils will have something in common to talk about during their transition days and on their first day as year sevens.”
Author Helen Rutter said: “To have this story read by a whole city is completely wonderful! I hope that kids will enjoy engaging with it, being in control and making their own decisions.”
Learn more about One Hull of Read and April’s free event here.
