Jack gets choice job

WELL READ: Jack Reid is well named. He reads every day. “In the morning before school, at school, after school and when I’m in bed. My mum and dad will tell me to turn the lights off because it’s time to sleep, so I’ll try to read in the dark for a while.”

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Orewa’s 11-year-old Jack Reid has landed an enviable new job.

He has been chosen as one of just 12 Paper Plus Kids’ Choices reviewers, out of 1000 children who sought the job.

Entering online, Jack had to send in a review of a book he had recently read and a few details about himself. He received an email saying he had made it into the second stage of selections, but then didn’t hear back for several months.

The Orewa College student says he was really surprised about his appointment.

"One afternoon after school we got an email saying I was selected. I was thinking: Woah, yay. I’m excited," says Jack.

He will receive new books each month for review. His profile will be on the Paper Plus website and will appear in-store and on mailers alongside his reviews.

"I entered because I thought it’d be a good experience, and fun. I am kind of nervous, thinking about what people would think of the review, and I don’t want to put someone off reading a book."

Jack makes no secret of his addiction to books.

"I read every day – in the morning before school, at school, after school and when I’m in bed. My mum and dad will tell me to turn the lights off because it’s time to sleep, so I’ll try to read in the dark for a while."

Among his favourite books are Robert Muchamore’s Cherub series. His preferred genres are action, adventure and fantasy.

"I also play rugby for Silverdale, play the electric guitar and am part of the Orewa Surf Life Saving Club."

He regularly recommends books to friends and would like to write one some day.

"I struggle to get the pen to paper but when I do it all just flows from there. I would probably write a thriller or action book."

If Jack comes across a book he doesn’t like – "I will try and put the things I like about the book and maybe suggest some things that could have been better."

Payback by Michelle Kelly is Jack’s first book to review. He has nearly finished reading it and has several weeks to write a review.

Paper Plus launched Kids’ Choices with the goals of encouraging Kiwi kids to read more, helping children to develop the skill of expressing their opinions about what they have read, and promoting reading as an activity among their peer group.

All reviewers chosen are aged between seven and 15.

Paper Plus marketing manager Lyle Hastings says Kids’ Choices gives the reviewers a different opportunity to tell New Zealand what they think about the books they have read.

"It’s a great opportunity for kids to develop not just their reading skills but also their writing ability, by reading and reviewing a book of their choice. It allows kids to really engage with a book’s storyline and be able to express how they felt about a book, and why.

"It is important for kids’ intellectual development to become involved with reading and literature."

- © Fairfax NZ News