Ten-year-old India Bascombe read a whopping 200 books last year — and this year she is hoping to top 300.

The Somerset Primary School student enjoys literature for both children and adults, and most recently devoured the 19th-century classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

“Reading gives me a place to relax, go away from the real world and have peace and quiet,” said India, whose favourite genres are fantasy and realistic fiction. The youngster from Sandys, whose family all love to read as well, counts Judy Blume as her favourite author.

“I can relate to her, and her books have lots of suspense,” she said. India enjoys writing at school and has thought about penning her own book, “but I know it would take a long time”.

An honours student and character award recipient, she also enjoys spending time with her friends and playing the handbells and the drums.

In the future, she is contemplating a career as a publisher, an editor or a veterinarian.

“I’d also like to be a journalist and travel the world, writing about what I’ve seen,” India said.

Jaire Shields, another Somerset Primary School student, is developing his musical talents in the hope of one day entering the music industry. The ten-year-old plays the recorder and the violin, and recently began learning the guitar as well.

“Music lets me loosen up my emotions,” he said. “When I’m feeling down, my mama will put on a song that I really enjoy, and then I won’t be mad anymore, I’ll be happy.” Among Jaire’s favourite artists are Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Usher — and he would like to emulate the latter one day. “When I’m older, I would like to be a songwriter and dance with it, like Usher,” he said.

Also a keen sailor and footballer, the Sandys resident discovered his love of soca music through his parents, who play artists including Collie Buddz, Beenie Man and Jah Cure at home.

“My family is really into music, and we dance when we listen to it,” he said. “It gives me a better rhythm and helps me feel how the music goes, and then I just jump right in.”

Jaire has even had his first taste of musical success, as his class won the school’s “Idol” competition in June performing Bob Marley’s One Love.

And the youngster is single-minded about continuing to improve his skills as a musician — teaching himself via online tutorial videos.

“I try to practise as much as I can, so I will be better and develop more,” Jaire said.