Premier League Reading Stars Name Favourite Books

Premier League Reading Stars kicks off its 13th year with a brand new digital resource which has 60 online challenges. The website can be used at school, in a library or at home, which means parents can get involved too. 

By completing literacy activities, participants can unlock exclusive rewards including video clips of their heroes, signed certificates and player profiles. 

In addition to access to the website and downloadable resources, teachers receive a box of books, National Literacy Trust Network membership, and a toolkit and physical resources to run 10 Premier League Reading Stars sessions. 

The sessions are designed for pupils aged between nine and 13 and each covers a different type or aspect of reading. Evaluation shows that Premier League Reading Stars has a positive impact on both children’s reading enjoyment and attainment. In 2014/15 there was a 50% increase in the number of children who enjoy reading at the end of the programme (44% before, 66% afterwards). 

In the previous year three out of four pupils’ reading levels increased by six months or more. To mark World Book Day the lucky winners of a national Premier League Reading Stars competition were announced. 

Hundreds of entries were received and 20 winners selected from primary and secondary schools across the country. Winning pupils will be offered tickets for themselves and three of their friends and family to attend a Premier League game this season. 

Premier League Reading Stars Senior Programme Manager Marian Keen-Downs said: “The National Literacy Trust’s Premier League Reading Stars programme has been designed for reluctant readers. It targets pupils, particularly boys, who love football but don’t see the relevance of reading to their lives. For any fan, learning about the current season is hugely appealing and we use that appeal to stimulate reading and build reading stamina.” 

Arsenal’s Premier League Reading Star, Héctor Bellerín, says in his interview: “You might not realise it, but education is very important for a footballer. As an academy player you need to study until you are 18. And you never know, you may have an injury so it’s important to have a good education. Like in football, don’t ever give up. If you haven’t found the right book for you, keep going, you will.” 

For more information on Premier League Reading Stars and to sign up your school, visit:  

The Premier League players and their favourite books:

CLUB	PLAYER	CHILDREN'S BOOK	ADULTS' BOOK
Arsenal	Hector Bellerin	The Three Little Pigs	Faster Than Lightning: My Story by Usain Bolt
Aston Villa	Brad Guzan	Demolition Dad by Phil Earle	Coming Back Stronger by Drew Brees
Bournemouth	Callum Wilson	Oxford Reading Tree Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper: First Stones	Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice by Matthew Syed
Chelsea	Ruben Loftus-Cheek	Green Eggs & Ham by Dr Seuss	Commitment by Didier Drogba
Crystal Palace	Brede Hangeland	Topsy and Tim by Jean Adamson and Gareth Adamson	Magdalenafjorden by Kjartan Flogstad
Everton	Leighton Baines	The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard by Tim Howard	Black Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth about Success by Matthew Syed
Leicester City	Dean Hammond	Paddington by Michael Bond	Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography by Sir Alex Ferguson
Liverpool	Adam Bogdan	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone	Open by Andre Agassi
Manchester City	Patrick Roberts	Green Eggs & Ham by Dr Seuss	My Story by Steven Gerrard
Manchester United	Paddy McNair	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl	#2Sides by Rio Ferdinand
Newcastle United	Freddie Woodman	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone	Legacy by James Kerr
Norwich City	Declan Rudd	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone	My Story by Steven Gerrard
Southampton	James Ward-Prowse	James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl	David Beckham by David Beckham
Stoke City	Charlie Adam	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone	You Don't Remember Me, Do You? By Terry Conroy
Sunderland	Duncan Watmore	Censure's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo	To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Swansea City	Kyle Bartley	Danny, The Champion of the World by Roald Dahl	Spanish Swans by Pablo Gomez
Tottenham Hotspur	Ryan Mason	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling	I think therefore I play by Andrea Pirlo
Watford	Rene Gilmartin	James & The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl	None selected
West Bromwich Albion	Boaz Myhill	Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak	The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
West Ham	Darren Randolph	A Very Special Mouse and Vole by Joyce Dunbar	The Blind Side by Michael Lewis