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About James Patterson

James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest selling writers of all time. He is the author of some of the bestselling series of the past decade: the Women's Murder Club, the Alex Cross novels and Maximum Ride, and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand alone thrillers. He has won an Edgar award, the mystery world's highest honour. He lives in Florida with his wife and son, seen pictured here.

Best known for his thrillers he also writes for children and is passionate about encouraging children to develop a love of reading. In 2014 he donated £250,000 to help independent bookshops with a children’s section in the UK. Rafe from the Middle School series also features on the first ever children’s ‘Books are my Bag’ rucksack.

If you are a teacher CLICK HERE to download a free Middle School resource to help get kids reading.

James Patterson's top tips to get your kids - even the most reluctant ones - reading!

* Find books your kids love.

Talk with your child about their interests. Kids read more if they read what they like. E-reader, paperbacks, hard covers, comic books are all fine. Reading is the goal!

* Get a Library Card in your child's name.

Visit your library…the resources they have for the summer are usually terrific. And the Children's Librarian will usually bend over backwards to help your child find fun stuff to read.

* "Buddy Read" together.

Model reading with your child. Read the same books together, and talk about them.

* Create a Reading Club with friends.

It's always more fun if you can share the experience.

* Reward progress.

Set goals with your child, and track their achievements. Give them little "awards" for progress.

* Travel with your books wherever you go.

Take them to the beach, in the car, on vacations, and to the pool. Make the "in between" moments count. Put books everywhere your kids might be bored and want to turn on the TV, such as the breakfast table, the bedside table—wherever.

* Remember: it's up to you to make it fun.

Reading is fun! If it isn't, keep at it till they find books they can't put down. Then reward yourself, Mom and Dad, because you have just given your child the best present you could ever have imagined: the gift of reading—for life.

Visit ReadKiddoRead.com to find out more about this fantastic campaign.

Find lots of news and fun activities on the Middle School books here.

Profile photo credit Rankin.

James & Jack Patterson photo credit Sue Patterson