The Kids' Lit Quiz
A profile of Wayne Mills
Wayne has never known a time without books, his parents surrounded him with books as a youngster and they've been part of his life ever since. When his kids were teenagers he never observed readers at prize-givings being rewarded for their reading and it was this that provided the impetus to start a literary competition for 11-13 year olds in 1991. The idea of the quiz then was to acknowledge and motivate readers at a time when reading traditionally dipped.
Wayne built up his knowledge of kids' books while teaching and continued to develop it even after he moved into the tertiary system. Today he never reads without a pen in his hand. The idea of the Kids' Lit Quiz™ as the 'sport of reading' has grown and currently the quiz operates in the UK, China, South Africa and New Zealand with other countries intending to take part in the international competition later this year.
Wayne is passionate about kids reading for pleasure and works to ensure that readers are challenged to read widely across a range of literature.
In March 2008 he was awarded the New Zealand Margaret Mahy Medal for his substantial and distinguished contribution to both national and international literature and literacy.
Wayne is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland in the Faculty of Education.
Wayne may be contacted at wayne@kidslitquiz.com
