HALF-drowned asylum seekers, Class A drug dealing and bullies are just some of the themes that had students hanging off every word of edgy teen writer Miriam Halahmy.

THE novels of Charles Dickens and his contemporaries run into hundreds of pages – a daunting prospect for many young readers.

READERS had a day to remember at school when they were surprised with a giant stack of donated books.

A PORTSMOUTH social enterprise that has given hundreds of primary schoolchildren a love of reading is celebrating a funding boost.

A SCHOOL that has put reading at its heart is celebrating getting the best possible Ofsted grade – just four years after being put on the bottom rung.

Fratton Park hero Darren Moore has given his resounding backing to The News’ literacy campaign.

FOR 15 minutes every Thursday lunchtime children at this school disappear.

CHILDREN enjoyed a literary take on relay races when they spent a whole school day reading and passing batons to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.