Activity ideas

Shadowing is a fun and flexible reading-for-pleasure activity designed to inspire and engage young readers.
Groups across the UK and internationally take part — in schools, libraries, or community settings — to explore and celebrate the Carnegie books together.

How you run your Shadowing Group is up to you: meet in person or online, choose your own pace, and tailor sessions to your readers’ interests. The aim is simple: to spark a lifelong love of reading.

Getting Started

Every Shadowing Group is different, but here’s a simple structure to help you plan.
Adapt freely. What matters most is that your readers feel engaged, inspired, and confident sharing their views.

1. Welcome

Your first session is a great chance for everyone to get to know each other.
Invite your group to share what they love about reading, or which book they’re most excited to try.

Use the Shadowing Resources to find icebreaker ideas and creative challenges to start discussions.
In future sessions, encourage Shadowers to take turns introducing the books they’re reading.

2. Read Aloud

Reading aloud helps bring the stories to life.
You might explore a full picture book together, or choose key passages from longer titles to spark discussion.

Look out for videos of authors reading from their books and interviews sharing insight into their stories and inspiration.

3. Activities

Use the Reading Resources for creative and cross-curricular activity ideas — or invent your own!
Try writing prompts, artwork, drama, or multimedia projects.

You can also find inspiration from other groups by following @CarnegieMedals on social media and searching #Carnegies2025.

4. Review

Encourage Shadowers to reflect on what they’ve read — what they liked, what surprised them, and how different books compare.
They can share their thoughts in reviews, video diaries, podcasts or group discussions.

Tip: recording or publishing reviews helps young people develop their voice as readers and critics.

5. Plan Together

End each meeting by planning the next one: choosing what to read, which activities to try, or which competitions to enter.
With book giveaways and prizes available, it’s worth scheduling time for creative entries or group projects.

Top Activities for All Groups

Judge the Covers – Explore first chapters and front covers before reading. Debate which books look most interesting and compare your predictions later.
Run Competitions – Create mini prizes for best reviews, cover redesigns, quizzes or creative writing.
Drawalong – Invite Shadowers to draw their favourite characters or scenes.
Make a Video or Podcast – Record readers’ thoughts, predictions or book trailers.
Connect with Other Groups – Meet virtually or in person for joint quizzes, debates or your own award celebrations. Find nearby groups using the Shadowing in Your Area map and share your highlights via @CarnegieMedals.
Meet Your Local Judge – Request a virtual or in-person visit from your regional Carnegie judge at carnegies.coordinator@cilip.org.uk to learn more about the awards.
Watch Author Videos – Visit the book pages to hear from the authors and illustrators themselves — a great way to inspire young readers’ creativity.

Charting Your Favourites

Once your group has finished a book, take time to discuss and rate it together.

Try these prompts:

Describe the book in three words.
What themes or styles stand out across the books?
Create a group ratings chart to track your favourites.
Score each book out of 10 and explain your choices.
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

At the end of your shadowing journey, each Shadower can vote for their favourite book in the Shadowers’ Choice Awards.