In response to the recent decline in the number of girls and young women reading books, a Catholic girl’s school in Clayfield launched a reading project for young ladies.
St Rita’s College in Clayfield launched the Read Like a Girl project with the aim to stimulate reading habits among young girls. The girl’s school for Years 7 to 12 is partnering with Mt Alvernia College in Kedron and Riverbend Books for the program.
Kathryn Schravemade, a librarian at St Rita’s College was alarmed at the decline in the reading rate among pre-teens and teens. According to official research in 2016, below 61 per cent of ladies above 14 years old had read a novel in any three-month period. This is a drop from the 2010 figure of more than 64 per cent.
The same study found that only 34.2 per cent of young women read non-fiction books, a decline from 39.2 per cent in 2010.
The launch of the reading project is a response of the staff and students of the college to the reading rate issue. “We wanted to do something vibrant and unique,” said Ms Schravemade.
The Read Like a Girl project officially started on March 7, with renowned young adult author Kate McCaffrey as featured guest. During the event, Ms McCaffrey discussed teenagers using social media, fitting in and growing up in the digital era.
The reading program will continue to hold reading events to instil a love for reading among girls. Such events will feature authors and book launches. On March 30, Mount Alverna College will be the venue for the book launch of Draekora, the third book in The Medoran Chronicles by author Lynette Noni.
St Rita’s will host international best-selling and award-winning author Kate Dicamillo on May 30 as she presents the paperback release of Raymie Nightingale, a famous middle grades fiction novel.
Interested in the reading project? Find out more from St. Rita’s College or Mount Alvernia College.
