Brighton and Hove City Reads 2009: Sharing a book on a big scale

Picture © Brighton & Hove City Reads 2009

Here's a great idea to approach your local library with…or even to try out as a whole school literacy project – everyone reading the same book.

City Reads 2009, a Brighton & Hove Libraries' initiative, has embroiled local residents in a three-month citywide read of Markus Zusak's best-selling novel The Book Thief, including reading groups, workshops and film showings devoted to this truly gripping novel.

In a special coup by Brighton and Hove Libraries, the author himself will make his first UK visit and take part in City Reads' finale workshops, including talks with teenage and adult fans, on May 23 2009.

Zusak said he was "honoured" for Brighton to adopt the book, calling it "exciting, humbling and at least slightly terrifying."

Take a look at the Brighton City Reads YouTube video below.