'Pure euphoric feeling' for young Tyrone star McElholm
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Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Marcus Rashford a hit with young readers as JK Rowling loses ground
Jeff Kinney continues to top the charts as the most-read author among schoolchildren in the UK and his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series remains a firm favourite, according to research. However, fresh names are also joining the ranks of most-popular authors: Marcus Rashford's The Breakfast Club Adventures and Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, who wrote the Little People, Big Dreams series, are gaining ground, perhaps reflecting a growing demand for inclusive and relatable stories. Matt Oldfield, an author of non-fiction football books, was also a chart topper among secondary schoolboys. Once dominant during lockdown, the Harry Potter series no longer tops the charts. While still popular among primary school pupils and Year 8 readers, JK Rowling's books have been absent from the most-read lists for several years. This year, The Last Hope by Erin Hunter was the most popular book, alongside George Orwell's Animal Farm. By secondary school, boys' and girls' preferences start to differ. Boys favoured the satire of Animal Farm, while girls chose Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. The Hunger Games appealed widely but, beyond that, boys returned in force to Kinney. The reading habits are revealed in the 2025 What Kids Are Reading report, which draws on data from more than 1.2 million primary and secondary school pupils across the UK and Ireland over an academic year. The research, led by Professor Keith Topping at the University of Dundee and researchers from the National Literacy Trust, shows that today's children are reading more — and with better understanding — than the average British adult. Children using structured reading tools read an average of 20.7 books a year, far outpacing the adult average of three. • Our summer reading guide: 10 terrific books for children Although the total number of books read has dipped slightly, schools are allocating more time to reading in schools, and comprehension levels have improved since last year. Primary school pupils now average 80 per cent on comprehension quizzes — up from 77 per cent last year — and secondary pupils have risen from 69 per cent to 72 per cent, suggesting that secondary pupils were not reading books as carefully as primary pupils. Year 5 pupils are tackling books nearly two years above their age level and have an average comprehension score of 94 per cent. Roald Dahl's grip on the primary-school charts is steady but slipping from the top. He remains the second most-read author in UK primary schools — just behind Kinney — with Matilda, The BFG and Fantastic Mr. Fox continuing to appear across Years 2 to 6. Matilda continues to appear in top-read and favourite lists, especially in primary and international data. The report shows that several literary classics remain part of the school reading landscape. Enid Blyton's Summer Term at Malory Towers features among Year 4 children's favourite books, while Philip Pullman's The Secret Commonwealth appears in the Year 7 list. JRR Tolkien's The Two Towers and The Return of the King in the Lord of the Rings trilogy are also popular with Year 7 pupils. Louis Sachar's Holes remains a firm favourite, topping the Year 6 most-read list and appearing across several regional charts. Sachar also ranks sixth in this year's table of most-popular authors among secondary pupils. In contrast, CS Lewis no longer appears in either the most-read or favourite lists, suggesting a continued decline in popularity. Crispin Chatterton, director of education at Renaissance, which produced the report, said: 'This year's What Kids Are Reading report highlights the real progress schools are making in helping children read with greater understanding. It's especially encouraging to see disadvantaged pupils reporting higher enjoyment of reading in school, showing how targeted support can help more children build confidence and enjoyment in reading.'
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Love Island fans work out ‘real reason' Dejon flirted with bombshell Bilikis as they work out his ‘game plan'
LOVE Island fans say they have worked out the "real reason" Dejon flirted with bombshell Bilikis, claiming he has a "game plan". Tonight viewers watched the stunning new Islander go on a date with Dejon before entering the villa. 6 6 6 During their date, Dejon - who has been coupled up with Meg since the start - flirted up a storm with the beautiful new arrival. He was even heard asking Bilikis , who also goes by Billykiss, if she would leave Dublin and "move to London" if they were to be together. But fans weren't buying it, and didn't think he was being genuine - in fact they even suggested he had a "game plan". The viewer theory that hit social media was that Dejon was flirting with Bilikis to get to Meg. Taking to X/Twitter one fan said: "Fear Dejon is just gonna lead Billykiss to wind up Meg." While another added: "I think Dejon's game plan is to wind up Meg." This one vented: "I hope Dejon isn't using Billykiss to get to Meg." Before going in the villa, Bilikis was asked who she was interested in, and she said: "Dejon and Conor. I'm here to bombshell so you've got to do what you've got to do." When quizzed on what she looks for in a man, she said: "Someone tall who's good looking but not too good looking and that's confident, assertive, knows what they want and is serious about me." Dejon and Meg are one of the most solid couples in the villa, but Meg has shed a fair few tears over semi-pro footballer Dejon. Love Island villa rocked as two hot new bombshells make surprise entrance This included him making moves on bombshell Malisha, before she was dumped from the show. Meanwhile, Sun revealed earlier today that two brand new bombshells would join the show tonight. A source said: 'The Islanders have been crying out for some bombshells with so many of them currently single. 'It's only really Meg and Dejon who are in any way settled which is bonkers at this stage of the game. 'The villa is a bombshells paradise right now and it's everything to play for.' The other bombshell to enter the villa tonight was gym hunk Ryan Bannister. Love Island continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. 6 6
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
The GAA Social Niall McDonnell- winning Leinster & being a goalkeeper
This is a different but hugely honest insight into goalkeeping. The picture of the summer sits in Niall's living room- a first Leinster championship in more than 60 years- his photo summed it up. He'd like changes. Four points for a goal and believes goalkeepers should be allowed to take a return pass. Some agree, some don't. What is the culture in Louth- what can they go? Niall found out he was dropped by Mickey Harte because he was removed from the Whatsapp group. It was a low point and part of the rought & tumble of GAA- but he decided he decided to do something about it. He had to lose weight, and he did, facing that challenge head-on. This is great stuff. Louth begin the search for a new manager- this podcast shows what they're about, and where they can go. A brilliant listen
