Bestselling novelist and our Ambassador Adele Parks saw for herself how our Six Book Challenge has helped less confident adult readers in the Channel Islands.

She paid a prize-winning visit to Highlands College on Jersey after it won a 2012 prize draw for colleges running the Six Book Challenge for their students. The college's win entitled them to a visit from a top author, and we arranged for Adele, who is an official champion for the Challenge, to meet staff and students involved with it on 17 June.

Adele Parks said: "I was incredibly excited to visit Jersey and meet more Six Book Challenge completers and other readers. Being a confident reader is so vital; reading provides entertainment, education, escapism and inspiration. What could be more important than having those tools at your finger tips?"

This year Highlands College has already signed up over 100 students to take part in the Six Book Challenge. This mirrors ever-increasing Six Book Challenge interest and take-up within colleges across the UK: over 100 colleges are directly involved with it this year, weaving it into their course delivery.

Genevieve Clarke, our adult literacy specialist, says "Highlands College use our Six Book Challenge scheme in the best way possible by encouraging tutors to integrate it into their courses and demonstrating to students that reading of all kinds is an essential and enjoyable part of all our lives."

Anita Eastwood, learning resources centre manager at Highlands College says: "Our Six Book Challenge participants were thrilled about Adele's visit, which brought reading closer to them, and showed them that everyone the same chance to better themselves through reading.

"Whilst running the Six Book Challenge I have been humbled by feedback from participants who have flourished and gained confidence in reading which has led to them confronting fears. For example, one female student told me: 'I did not read to my children before doing the Challenge but now I have the self-belief to do what used to be the unthinkable and I thoroughly enjoy reading time with them'. This, for me, summarizes what the Six Book Challenge is all about."

Adele also visited Jersey Public Library, where she met members of the public and gave a talk about her work, her passion for reading and how it can change lives.

Get involved

If you would like to take part in the Six Book Challenge contact your local public library.

Do tell us your story about being part of or running the Six Book Challenge - we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Genevieve Clarke.

If you work at a public library, college, prison or work place and are interested in running the Six Book Challenge visit our resources page.