Chief Minister's Reading Challenge

Congratulations Bookworms

They may be small in stature, but when it comes to reading, Rosebery Primary School Year 1 twins Justin and Ivanka Zheng give even the biggest bookworm a run for their money!

The 2 siblings are currently leading the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge with the twins having already got through 192 books between them since the initiative started in March.

Justin and Ivanka are two of more than 9,500 children across 62 Northern Territory schools who have registered for this year’s challenge.

Congratulations Justin and Ivanka!

Justin and Ivanka bookworms

CMRC newsletter

The CMRC newsletter is published on a fortnightly basis. To receive a copy, register here.

CMRC star chart

The CMRC star chart is for teachers and parents to use with their students/children. The chart is an appealing way to motivate students to read every day and keep track of their reading in a fun and interactive way. This is completely optional. If you have anything you use with your students, please share with us to publish in the newsletter, website and socials for sharing with other reading challenge leaders.

Download star chart - word version DOCX (608.4 KB)
Download star chart - pdf version PDF (210.7 KB)

CMRC book tally

QR codeThank you to all our reading challenge leaders for your continued enthusiasm in participating in the 2024 Chief Minister's Reading Challenge!

To help us keep track of the number of books read by students, on Friday mornings scan the QR code to enter the number of books read each week.

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

The Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge encourages students to read more books for pleasure.

For the first time, the annual initiative is now open to all Northern Territory (NT) students from transition to year 12 who are challenged to read 12 books in 24 weeks.

Schools can contextualise the schedule for the reading challenge to their own timeline e.g. run it for a term. The celebration will still remain in the same timeframe.

Eligible books include printed books, digital books, and audiobooks. For younger children, a book that is read aloud by an adult, counts towards their total.

Public libraries will have many of the booklist titles onsite and online. Visit your local library and speak to the library team. Membership is free.

Find a library in the NT

The Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge starts on Monday 11 March 2024 (term 1 week 7) and closes on Friday 23 August 2024 (term 3 week 6).

Students who complete the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge will receive a personal certificate from the Chief Minister recognising their achievement.

Register your school

Register an individual student

Register home education student

Key dates

TermsDetails
Term 1 2024 Schools register for the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge
Term 1 week 7 2024
(11 March to 15 March) 		Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge opens
Term 3 week 6 2024
(19 August to 23 August) 		Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge closes
Term 2 and 3 2024
  • Schools start collecting reading records.
  • Schools provide completion data for their students to the department by 31 August.
November 2024
  • Certificates arrive in schools early November.
  • Individual school organises awards and presentations.
  • Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge reception is held.

For principals

  • Complete this registration form to participate in the reading challenge.
  • Students who complete the challenge will receive personalised certificates. Your school will also receive a set of lapel pins for you to distribute as discretionary awards during Book Week.

For teachers

  • Download and print one reading record DOCX (887.1 KB) for each student in your class.
  • Encourage students to keep reading!
  • At the end of the reading challenge, confirm that the student has read 12 books.
  • Check the box in the Student Assessment Information System for each successful student.

For students

  • Write your name on your reading record and keep it in a safe place.
  • Write the name of every book you read on your record. Ask your parent/carer, teacher or library team member to initial each book you add to the record.
  • At the end of the reading challenge, ask your parent/carer to sign off your record. Then ask your teacher to sign off your reading record.
  • Your certificate will arrive at your school. Congratulations!

Print one reading record for every student participating in the reading challenge.

Students should keep their reading record in a safe place and update it regularly with titles of books that they have read. They should ask their parent/carer, teacher or library team member to initial each book added to the reading record.

Student reading record DOCX (887.1 KB)

A booklist of suggested titles has been developed by the Department of Education and Training, and Libraries and Archives NT. The booklist includes reading resources in first languages.

The booklist will assist schools in selecting quality texts that are available.

The reading challenge booklist is inclusive and incorporates the perspective of a diverse and wide range of stories and perspectives.

Students are encouraged to select books from the booklist, but this is not mandatory. These lists will be updated throughout the challenge.

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge booklist (transition to year 2) PDF (189.4 KB)

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge booklist (year 3 to year 4) PDF (135.1 KB)

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge booklist (year 5 to year 6) PDF (134.4 KB)

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge series list PDF (160.6 KB)

Chief Ministers Reading Challenge booklist First Nations titles PDF (110.6 KB)

Students can read any books, but books on the reading challenge booklist are recommended. Students can read books in a variety of formats including print, digital, audiobooks and graphic novels. Teachers reading picture books or novels (aged appropriate) can count toward your total books.

Students are encouraged to join their local public library and explore a wide range of titles.

BorrowBox, an online platform available through all NT public libraries, also offers access to eAudiobooks and eBooks with dyslexic friendly text.

To access BorrowBox you will need to be a member of a NT public library. If you are already a member you can use your existing library membership.

Once you have a library membership, please download the BorrowBox app on your smart device and log in using your library card number and password. If you are not a library member or have forgotten your password, please contact your local library.

Joining a Northern Territory public library

NT residents are eligible to join any NT public library service for free. To join contact your library service:

Find a library in the NT

Inclusive reading students can access books in alternative formats. Students are encouraged to listen to audiobooks, have books read to them or read graphic novels.

Public libraries have access to different formats such as audiobooks, dyslexic friendly texts and graphic novels. BorrowBox, an online platform available through NT public libraries, also offers access to eAudiobooks and eBooks with dyslexic friendly texts.

Challenge booklists are inclusive and incorporate the perspective of a diverse and wide range of stories and perspectives.

Printed promotional materials have been sent to schools. Additional copies may be printed if required.

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge poster PDF (6.7 MB)

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