Looking for a cool kids' alternative to a day at the beach?

The Royal Gazette's Newspapers in Education programme is again running a summer reading programme, a seven-chapter story with questions for discussion, beginning today on the Young Observer page.

'Paper Cut', written by award-winning author, Bob Rouse, will run for seven weeks (excluding Cup Match) in July and August. It is a compelling and captivating story about bullying and watchdog journalism for youngsters reading at the Primary 5/6 level. It is an ideal read-aloud story for younger readers too.

In this seven-chapter story young Marky overcomes the challenges of dealing with the neighbourhood bully, starts his own successful neighbourhood newspaper, and solves the mystery of the Techno-Thief.

As in the past, each chapter is followed by questions that promote reflection and discussion, and parents are encouraged to use the questions as a basis for discussing the story with their young readers. Youngsters who submit written answers to the first three questions each week via email or fax or drop off will be eligible for a weekly draw for a gift voucher.

Written answers may be dropped off at the offices of The Royal Gazette on Par-la-Ville Road to the attention of Jennifer Hind, sent to jhind@royalgazette.bm or faxed to 295-2766.