The Verse Novel Challenge

Aim of the reading challenge

Supported by our partner Amazon, The Verse Novel Challenge is open to all UK schools and is for students aged 8 to 14 years.

The challenge celebrates reading for pleasure and helps build confidence with an accessible and engaging format as well as fostering an interest in a diverse range of books.

Sign up today on the form below to be kept informed about the launch of this challenge and to be entered into our book ballot where you could win a box of free verse novels for your school.

Get involved

Resources to support the challenge

Detailed resources will be available to download here when this reading challenge goes live on Tuesday 23 September. These will include:

• Teacher guidelines with clear and supportive ideas on how to deliver this reading challenge in school
• Benefits of reading verse novel literature
• Ideas on how to read verse novels aloud
• Recommended reading lists in categories 8 to 12 years and 11 to 14 years showcasing diversity of voices and themes
• Certificate for all participants to celebrate their involvement

Links to the resources will appear from Tuesday 23 September when you scroll down on this page. You will need to have as a minimum, free membership of the National Literacy Trust to be able to access the resources.

Prize Draw

There will be a prize draw for this competition that is generously funded by our partner Amazon. Details for this will be in the teacher guidelines resource and entries will need to be submitted by Friday 12 December.

Sign up below to be kept informed on the launch of this challenge and the amazing prizes to be won.

If you have any queries about our Reading Champions Reading Challenge series then don’t hesitate to contact us at competitions@literacytrust.org.uk.

Sign up here

When you register we will email you in September to let you know when the resources are available to download. Plus, Amazon are kindly donating a box of free books to 100 lucky schools - you will automatically be entered into the book ballot.

In partnership with Amazon

We are delighted to work with our partner Amazon for the third year running on the Reading Champions Challenges.

In 2023, we brought to life the incredible world of picturebooks for an older audience with the Picture This! reading challenge. In 2024, Amazon supported The World of Graphic Novels challenge both through volunteer judging and fantastic prizes.

With the reading challenge partnership, Amazon have provided hundreds of schools with book donations and £10,000 worth of prizes for winning schools to transform their libraries and book selections.

National Literacy Trust Reading Champions is supported by ALCS.

Find out more about the National Reading Champions Quiz and Challenges.

Explore useful teaching resources developed by ALCS to support understanding and communication about copyright with guides for children, young people and teachers.

Watch this ALCS animation as a great starting point to helping your students understand copyright in a fun and interactive way. Karl Nova uses his voice and talent to bring the importance of copyright for writers and artists to life in this video from ALCS.