Read! Singapore 2013 takes on focus on youth

SINGAPORE: National reading campaign Read! Singapore returns this year with a new focus on young readers.

A Youth Book Selection Committee which was formed last year unveiled its 24 selected titles for readers aged seven to 14.

The committee comprises 25 students who are aged 15 and above.

This is the first time youths are selecting books for young readers.

K S Maniam, manager of Reading Initiatives at National Library Board, said: “If it comes from your own friends, peers, especially when you are in that age group, you are more receptive to understand that ‘My friend is reading this. I also want to try to read this or I want to explore this a little bit more.’

“But if you keep coming from an adult point of view, they might (think)… ‘why are you preaching to me?’”

The members of the committee were selected because they each share a love for reading.

Yeo Min, one of the committee members, said: “I am in nursing, so therefore it actually sparked my interest in medical practices and the stories that the doctors write… how they treat patients and what kind of things can happen to a patient.”

Books such as Ann Peters’ Farrer Park: Rhyming Verses from a Singapore Childhood, The Starry Starry Night and Sinbad’s Adventures are just some of the selection which will be available at all 25 public libraries.

In this age of smartphones and videogames, do young people still want to pick up a book and read? Teenagers MediaCorp spoke with said it is not so much a dying trend, but it depends on the person and how passionate they are about the book genre.

Teo Min Ru, a member of the Youth Book Selection Committee, said: “Maybe in terms of entertainment value, books don’t strike us at that appealing. It is a lot easier to pick up an iPhone and play Candy Crush.

“But it actually gives us a lot because when we read, we learn a lot more about the world around us and (reading) gives us life lessons that other things cannot teach us.”

This year, the National Library Board has also extended Read! Singapore from its previous three-month duration to a year-long effort.

New programmes include a pop-up library in July and an international Kids’ Lit Quiz.

Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, launched this year’s programme at Jurong Regional Library on Friday.

This is the ninth year of Read! Singapore.

This year’s theme is “Under One Sky”. It highlights the bonds between people of different cultures, societies and generations.

“Under One Sky” is a collection of 12 short stories. Besides short stories, Read! Singapore’s recommended titles also include novels. 

Read! Singapore 2013 takes on focus on youth