World Book Day, Thursday 3rd March, marks the launch of Our Read, The Reader Organisation’s big shared read. This year, it’s bigger than ever! There are 50,000 copies of a brand new book, The Unforgotten Coat, written especially for Our Read by Frank Cottrell Boyce be given away.

The Unforgotten Coat is about a young girl from Bootle, who begins to see things differently after she befriends two new Mongolian boys who turn up suddenly at her school and tell her of their travels.

Aimed at encouraging more young people between the ages of 10-16 to read for pleasure, and share reading with others around them, Our Read begins with a huge book giveaway and a chain-read of the book at the Bluecoat on 3rd March.

Director of The Reader Organisation, Jane Davis, explained that the project is a hugely exciting new venture for them:

“Ever since 2003 we have had an annual book give-away, and this year, we can share our Liverpool-grown project with the rest of the country, which makes it very special indeed.”

“We really want people to read and share The Unforgotten Coat with friends, family, neighbours and teachers. You can find Our Read on Facebook and Twitter and tell us your stories: what you think of the book, who you’ve been reading it with, uploading photos – don’t keep it to yourself! Keep your eyes open for Our Read postcards hitting the streets and write to us telling us where you’ve from and who you’ve shared the book with”

Visit the Our Read page to see the full list of where you can pick up your free copy of The Unforgotten Coat.