Summer reading success: The Big Summer Read wrap-up
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Big Summer Read.
We had 1,325 people register and 6,123 books read and reviewed! Every reader who read 10 books or more is eligible for the major prize worth more than $500.
Congratulations to Quinn, a reader at Deloraine Library, who is the major statewide prize winner of the Big Summer Read. Quinn completed the challenge by reading 10 books or more and has won an eReader, a $200 book voucher and books to help him to continue his reading journey.
Local prize winners at libraries across Tasmania will also receive book related prizes.
Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who completed the challenge!
One of the Big Summer Reads Ambassadors, Lian Tanner, has recorded a message to congratulate everyone who joined in. Watch it on this page.
The Big Summer Read is a Public Libraries Victoria initiative to stop “the summer reading slide”, where children and young people lose literacy skills over the summer holidays.
Libraries Tasmania joined this initiative and worked with partners across the state, including our wonderful ambassadors, to share the joy of reading.
Every book shared and reviewed on the Big Summer Read website created a community of readers and helped young people to maintain or improve their reading skills ready for a new school year. Young people discovered stories and information to spark their imagination and satisfy their curiosity.
The Big Summer Read will be back in December 2025.
Tasmanian Ambassadors
The Big Summer Read featured Tasmanian authors Tony Flowers and Lian Tanner, throughout the summer.
Tony Flowers
Tony Flowers is an award-winning illustrator/author with over 50 books to his name. His latest book, “Grandma’s First Tattoo” is a fun filled story that explores cultural identity and family tales.
Tony’s other books include ‘Vognox the Viking’ and ‘Samurai vs Ninja,’ which have been a hit with young readers. He is currently working on a graphic novel “Divi and Frey” that is part Indiana Jones, part Sherlock Holmes, and all awesome.
Tony Flowers’ Big Summer Read picks
Lian Tanner
Lian Tanner is the author of middle grade books including the best-selling Keepers trilogy, Rita’s Revenge, Spellhound and Fledgewitch. Lian also wrote two picture books, When the Lights Went Out and Ella and the Ocean.
Her stories have won many awards including the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, the Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People, the Tasmanian Literary Award, and three Aurealis Awards for Best Australian Children’s Fantasy.
Lian Tanner’s Big Summer Read picks
Overview
The Big Summer Read challenge
- To complete the Big Summer Read challenge, you must register online and log 10 books.
- Independent and non-independent readers can participate and log any book they read.
- Books can include paper books read in person, listening to an audio book or watching and listening to someone reading a book.
- Printed Reading Logs are available from your local library if you want to track your reading but do not want to register online. However, only participants who register online are eligible for prize draws.
When does it start?
Registration opens from November 2024, and books can be logged from 1 December 2024.
Register online through the readbooks.com.au website.
What are the prizes?
Weekly prizes
Each week, you can win one of 32 book prizes valued at approx. $25 each.
To be eligible for these prizes, you must have completed at least one of the following activities each week:
- Logged a book
- Completed a challenge
- Submitted a book review
Winners will be notified by email and will be sent a list of books. Winners will each select one book from the list.
Major statewide prize
One statewide winner will be randomly selected from all eligible Tasmanian participants who have read 10 books. Total prize valued at over $500
- One beach bag
- One beach towel
- Two books selected for the winner by our Big Summer Read Ambassadors
- Two personalised messages of congratulations from our Big Summer Read Ambassadors
- One $200 voucher from a major Tasmanian bookseller
- One Kobo Clara Colour eReader worth $239
Make sure you have logged 10 books by 11:59 pm Sunday 02 February 2025.
Some libraries are offering an additional prize to participants who read and log 10 books on the Big Summer Read website. Check with your local library for more information and prize details.
Terms and Conditions
The following terms and conditions apply to participate in the Big Summer Read with Libraries Tasmania. Participants must:
- Be registered as a Tasmanian participant on the readbooks.com.au website
- Be 18 years old or younger and reside in Tasmania
- Be available to collect a prize/s from their local library
- Prizes will not be awarded to anyone who does not meet the prize eligibility criteria.
- All winners will be notified via the contact email they used to register.
- The prizes are randomly selected from all eligible participants and the decision is final.
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