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READING CHALLENGE RECORD-BREAKER

The HELL Reading Challenge is our way of encouraging little devils across the country to pick up a book – and this year is going to be the biggest yet!

Over the past three years, HELL has incentivised young Kiwis to read more than 2.5 million books. In 2017 alone, the aim is to distribute 250,000 wheels and add 1.75 million to the total. So far nearly 150,000 pizza wheels have been ordered by a combined 500 schools and libraries – a 78% increase on this time last year. For every book a participating pupil reads, their teacher or school librarian marks off a ‘slice’ on their pizza wheel. Once they’ve filled their wheel by reading seven books, they can redeem it at a local HELL store for a complimentary 333 kids’ pizza. “We couldn’t do it without the support of hard-working teachers and librarians all over the country, who have really got behind the challenge” says HELL general manager Ben Cumming, “and, of course, the eager participation of the students. Together, we hope we can fuel young Kiwi imaginations with 1.75 million books in a single year.” Here’s what some of last year’s participants had to say: “I didn’t read as much before the challenge and it used to take me a lot longer to finish a book. The challenge is fun and motivating, because I know after completing each book I’m closer to getting a nice reward.” – Jordan, 11 “As a school librarian, I just think it’s fantastic. It's the perfect initiative to increase children's reading mileage and the children at this school just love it.” – Rosemary Paterson, St Therese School librarian “The challenge makes it fun to read books. I didn’t use to read a lot, but I now I read every night for at least 30 minutes. I like sharing the books I have read with Hue the Librarian and I like reading books by lots of different authors.” – Lily, Year 5 “Our children often come from homes where English is not their first language, so seeing their interest in reading growing is fantastic.” Leigh Allanson-Evans, Ranui Primary School librarian

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