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Shadowing

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About Shadowing

Engaging, inspiring and free to join!

Every spring, CILIP invites reading groups in libraries, schools, homes…in fact, anywhere there are children and young people and books, to get involved with shadowing.

The young people taking part are known as ‘shadowers’ as they ‘shadow’ the judging process for the Yoto Carnegie Medals; they read, discuss and review the books on each shortlist, engage in reading related activity which they can share online, and vote for their favourites to win the Shadowers’ Choice Awards.

The scheme has thousands of registered reading groups across the UK and internationally − engaging tens of thousands of children and young people in reading.

Reading activity takes place from the moment that the shortlists are revealed in March each year. The shadowing process is supported by promotional and educational materials supplied online. Groups can download publicity materials that include posters, bookmarks, stickers and activities to promote shadowing across your school or library and access reading resources created for each shortlisted title.

CILIP works with children’s book specialists from the Youth Libraries Group alongside education partners, CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) and EMC (English and Media Centre), to create high quality teaching notes and resources to accompany every book on the shortlist.

Take a look at our Shadowing Group Leader FAQs for answers to your questions about Shadowing.