An astonishing 6000 reviews are uploaded onto the charity’s website every week, half of them from boys and many from children who have never before wanted to write. Of almost 1400 club leaders who responded to the survey over half said review writing is improving members’ reading and writing skills and more than 80 % said the scheme is developing children’s critical skills. Pupils are keen to study other children’s reviews which in turn make them think critically about their own, and are motivated by seeing their work on the website.
Significantly, as well as the enjoyment they derive from writing reviews, members are learning about concepts equivalent to those involved in the appreciation of literature, such as narrative, tone, themes, genre, style, mood and technique.
