'˜The Star helped me learn to read'

That’s the verdict on The Star from pupils from Monteney Primary School taking part in our Reading Passport project.

Ten primary schools across the city have signed up to the initiative to receive copies of The Star each week for Key Stage 2 pupils to read and learn from.

Archie Prewett, aged nine, said he learned to read by looking at the paper with his grandad.

“If my grandad is reading it I sit alongside it and read it with him.

“I like pointing out stories, and that’s how I began to read because I used to say ‘what’s that’ and he would teach me how to read.

“Me and my grandad usually like reading about Sheffield Wednesday because we are big fans.”

Ami Parker, nine, said: “I think The Star is 11 out of 10. It tells you what’s happening. I like reading funny stories, I like the headlines and pictures. The pictures make me want to read it.”

Jemima Ross, nine, said she also liked reading light-hearted community stories.

“I read the paper when my mum gets it. I think it’s really interesting. When I find a newspaper, even if it’s an old one, I read it because I like to see what’s in it.

“I like reading stories about animals. I think the stories are really good. The people who write them do a really good job because they don’t just put a tiny bit they put a lot of writing in to it.”