Premier League Reading Stars is an innovative project that uses Barclays Premier League players to encourage families to pick up a book and read more often.

Premier League Reading Stars has a simple central premise. Each of the 20 Barclays Premier League clubs nominates a player as their 'Reading Champion' and they select their favourite children or adult's book to create a 20-strong book list.

literacy games

All clubs have adopted at least one library, who receive free copies of all the recommended titles. Families who take part in sessions at the library have the chance to meet their Reading Champion, a local author and get involved in a series of football-based literacy games throughout the initiative.

The project enters its sixth season on Saturday 29th March 2008.

reading champions' book selections

Click on players' names to view their book selections

Manuel Almunia (Arsenal)

Scott Carson (Aston Villa)

Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City)

Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers)

Jussi Jasskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)

Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)

Andy Todd (Derby County)

Leon Osman (Everton)

Elliot Omozusi (Fulham)

Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)

Michael Ball (Manchester City)

Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)

Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough)

Steven Taylor (Newcastle United)

David James (Portsmouth)

Marcus Hahnemann (Reading)

Darren Ward (Sunderland)

Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur)

Matthew Upson (West Ham United)

Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic)