SIX schoolchildren have won book tokens in a lockdown reading competition.
The My Best Book of 2021 competition was organised by the Friends of Barnard Castle Library (FBCL) to promote reading and recognise how vital it was during the lockdown.
Younger children were encouraged to draw a picture from the book they had read.
Organiser Kim Harding said: “The others had to up to 400 words to write a book review on why they enjoyed the book so much.”
Winners were awarded a £25 book token while runners-up received a £10 book token.
Archie Connor, from Montalbo Primary, won the key stage one prize, with Amelie Scott-Ash, from Barnard Castle Prep, as runner up.
Elsie Porter, of Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary came first in the key stage two group, while Katie-Marie Blackburn, of Montalbo, came second. The top honour in the key stage three category was taken by Mila Johnson, of Barnard Castle School, followed by Rosie Wright, of Teesdale School.
Highly commended in key stage one was Willow Williamson, of Bowes Hutchinson’s Primary, while George Brown, of Green Lane, and Emily Benson, of Barney Prep, were highly commended in the key stage two category. Mrs Harding said: “We received 53 entries across early years to year nine from all schools across the dale.”
She was helped in the judging by fellow FBCL member Celia Chappell.
Fittingly, the prize-giving was held at Barnard Castle Library.
