AN ONLINE book club created by the University of Oxford has been labelled a success.

The initiative is part of Oxplore, a digital resource set up by the university, and is designed to get more children reading.

The monthly series is free to access and focuses on a different book and author each month.

Children were introduced to stories and poems that they might not come across at school.

The book club came to a close for the 2020/21 academic year with a talk by Dan Freedman, author of Unstoppable and the Jamie Johnson books.

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Mr Freedman said: “I’m so proud that Unstoppable has been selected as the Oxplore book club’s summer read.

“The story, which covers sibling rivalry, parental pressure and sporting ambition, was inspired by the visits I’ve made to schools around the country over the last decade.

“I’m really looking forward to discussing these themes with the University of Oxford, and the readers and schools that join us for the live event.

“Hopefully we can make it a positive and thought-provoking way to round off the academic year.”

Unstoppable focuses on the pressures of competitive sport, and with both Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics taking place this summer, it is a timely read for children.

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford is among those to have offered a glowing recommendation of the book, saying children aged between 11 and 14 ‘should definitely check it out’.

Mr Freedman’s Jamie Johnson books have sold more than 800,000 copies globally.

Before becoming an author, Mr Freedman was managing editor for the Football Association for seven years – a position which saw him attend two World Cups with England, and interview the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

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Since launching in March, the Oxplore book club has attracted 3,764 children in five months.

Although intended to be as part of the university’s response to the pandemic, it will continue into the next academic year.

Sarah Wilkin, outreach content development coordinator at the University of Oxford, said: “We’ve had a wonderful response from teachers and librarians who are keen to find new ways to show students the pleasure and benefits of reading.

“For many young people, reading has been a particularly powerful tool, enabling escapism and learning about different people, places and perspectives whilst living in a world filled with lockdown restrictions.”

The book club will return in October with Neal Shusterman’s Scythe.

If you have any questions on the book club, please send them to oxplore@admin.ox.ac.uk