Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz

This week's Write Space by Jan Goldie.

Back in the dark ages when I was a teenager, reading books went hand in hand with the summer holidays. Like hokey pokey and ice cream.

But not everyone shares that privilege. Many teenagers see books as hard work, a waste of time or simply not available. Crammed bookshelves and reading role models can be few and far between.

Kiwi author, mentor and well known AUT creative writing tutor James George writes:

'A lot of my students didn't grow up in houses full of books. They grew up in houses where there were girlie magazines, hot rod magazines and Best Bets if they were lucky. More than that it was likely the television was turned on, they were told to shut up and make the bed, go and feed the baby, go and do this, that and the other. We cannot assume that everyone grew up in a place full of libraries. We can't assume that everyone has had access to the written word.”

While Tauranga isn't ‘full of libraries', it does have good ones with dedicated staff who fight hard to gain kids' attention and encourage their interest in reading.

For the last ten years Tauranga Libraries has run Teen Mean Reads - a free summer reading programme for 12-18 year olds. Teenagers are able to join up, enjoy great books and get help and recommendations from their local librarian.

Once teens read a book they are encouraged to write a short review about it and everyone who reviews a book gets a free book to keep.

This year, teens can present their review as a podcast instead, giving them an entry to a prize draw. If you visit http://library.tauranga.govt.nz/kids-teens/teens.aspx you'll see a link to www.podomatic.com. Enter teenmeanreads in the search area on this website to listen to completed audio reviews.

The Teen Mean Reads programme focuses on a wide range of one-off books, rather than series, particularly ones that might make readers look ‘outside the square' in terms of their reading material.

Tauranga Children and Teenagers Librarian, Amanda McFadden says most teenagers who have signed up this year, as in the past, have done so of their own volition.

‘Teenagers like to make their own decisions.'

To enrol and receive a full information pack with all the details, call into your local library. Teen Mean Reads runs through to February 2012.