MORE THAN 800 YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGE WITH LOCAL CHARITY'S NEW BOOKFEST YA PROGRAMME
More than 800 young people from secondary schools across Chichester have taken part in BookFest YA, a new initiative from local charity Children's BookFest (CBF) designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading among teenagers.
Throughout June, students from Chichester High School, Chichester Free School, Bishop Luffa School and Fordwater School took part in a series of author visits, creative writing workshops and literary events created specifically for young people aged 11 to 18. Together, the programme reached 802 students, demonstrating the appetite among young people for opportunities to meet authors, develop their own writing and explore the world of books beyond the classroom.
Building on the success of the charitys established primary school programmes, BookFest YA was developed by author and teacher Nicola Garrard in response to growing concern about the decline in reading for pleasure during the secondary years. The initiative aims to help young people maintain a connection with stories long after they leave primary school, creating opportunities not only to meet authors, but also to write with them, ask questions, explore careers in publishing and discover how a reader can become a writer.
Inspiring the next generation of readers
During June, award-winning authors Tasneem Abdur-Rashid, Lucas Maxwell, Bryony Thomson and Patrice Lawrence visited schools across the city, giving students the opportunity to hear first-hand about the writing process, ask questions and discover new books.
The visits demonstrated the impact authors can have in helping young people connect with stories. Following Tasneem Abdur-Rashid's visit to Chichester High School, students who had previously described themselves as non-readers queued to borrow copies of her novel Odd Girl Out, creating a waiting list in the school library.
At Chichester Free School, Lucas Maxwell, author of A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once, worked with groups ranging from high-attaining creative writers to reluctant readers, demonstrating how the right author and story can help young people see themselves as readers and writers.
Nicola Garrard, BookFest YA Programme Director, said:
"Anyone who thinks teenagers aren't reading and that reading is a lost cause needs to think again.
"Throughout the programme we've met young people who are passionate about books, eager to discuss ideas, excited by creative writing and determined to champion reading within their schools. There are pockets of enthusiasm and dedication in every school sometimes all that's needed is the opportunity for young people to meet an author, discover a book that speaks to them or realise that their own stories are worth telling.
"One of the most exciting aspects of BookFest YA has been seeing young people move from being readers to becoming writers, reviewers, librarians and reading ambassadors. Whether they were attending an author event, taking part in the Creative Writing Masterclass or debating books at the Student Librarian Conference, they showed just how powerful stories can be when young people are given the chance to engage with them on their own terms."
From reader to writer
A free Creative Writing Masterclass, led by BookFest YAs Nicola Garrard, gave aspiring young writers the opportunity to explore how books are written, edited and published, while learning about careers within the publishing industry.
Participants developed their own writing, explored genre and storytelling techniques, and gained practical insight into pathways into publishing. Many arrived with stories already in progress and used the day to deepen their characters, refine their ideas and gain feedback from their peers.
The programme also launched a new creative writing competition, inviting young people aged 11 to 18 to imagine the opening chapter of a novel and develop their own storytelling voice. The competition remains open until 31 July, with entries welcomed from students across the district as well as home-educated young people.
Empowering reading champions
A further highlight of the BookFest YA programme was the Student Librarian Conference, hosted at the University of Chichester on 12 June.
Bringing together more than 40 student librarians and literacy ambassadors from schools across the city, the event explored diversity and representation in literature, censorship, careers in librarianship and ways young people can help shape reading culture within their schools.
Students delivered passionate reviews of favourite books, developed library manifestos and exchanged ideas with their peers, while enjoying a tour of the university and its library facilities.
Feedback from teachers, librarians and university staff highlighted the enthusiasm, maturity and creativity of the young people taking part, with many describing the students as inspirational advocates for reading and libraries.
Chichester Free Schools Reading and Literacy Champion, Claire Bourner said:
The highlights and impact of BookFest YA have been seeing the student librarians come alive with passion about getting a school library and seeing the engagement of our cusp boys at their creative writing session with Lucas Maxwell. Nicola is an absolute phenomenal force of good for reading and writing in the area. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be part of it and all the hard work not just with the events but also sourcing hundreds of books for us
Georgina Lippiett, Festival Director at Children's BookFest, said:
"Children's BookFest has always been about helping children discover the joy of reading. For many years that has meant giving primary-aged children the opportunity to meet authors and receive their own copy of a book written by the author they have just met, often creating a lifelong memory and a lasting connection with stories.
"BookFest YA was created because we recognised that this journey shouldn't end when children move into secondary school. We wanted to create opportunities for teenagers to continue engaging with books and storytelling in ways that feel relevant to them, whether that's meeting an author, developing their own writing, learning about publishing or discovering a book they can't wait to read.
"The response has been incredibly encouraging. Across every event we saw young people asking thoughtful questions, sharing ideas, writing creatively and championing reading within their schools.
"BookFest YA would not have been possible without the vision, passion and dedication of Nicola Garrard, whose expertise as an author, teacher and programme leader has shaped every aspect of the initiative. We are also enormously grateful to Chichester City Council for supporting the programme, and to the schools, authors, librarians, volunteers and partners who have embraced BookFest YA from the very beginning. Together, they have helped create an exciting new chapter for Children's BookFest and, most importantly, opened the door to new reading and writing opportunities for hundreds of young people."
Children's BookFest was founded in 2019 to inspire a lifelong love of reading through author visits, book gifting, storytelling and creative literacy projects. Since launching, the charity has gifted more than 30,000 books to children and young people and now works with schools across West Sussex. Through the introduction of BookFest YA, Children's BookFest is extending that mission into the secondary years, helping more young people discover the power of books, stories and creativity.
Children's BookFest is the Mayor of Chichester's chosen charity for 2026/27 and is spearheading Chichester's Go All In campaign as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
Find out more about the charity here - https://www.childrensbookfest.com