Hundreds of children across Kingston & St Andrew are in for a fun-filled, humorous adventure as they learn to fish, go crab hunting, swim, make a kite and eat mangoes with Amanda Simpson and the crew.

They will experience many of the joys and tears of an unforgettable summer in the minutes it takes to read excerpts from No Boy like Amanda.

The novel, Hope Barnett's debut work, has been selected by the Jamaica Reading Association (JRA) and First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHCCU) as the official book for their National Reading Week 2013 activities.

Set in rural Jamaica, in a fictional north coast town, No Boy like Amanda tells the story of Amanda, a young girl in a loving family with four boys and meagre resources.

She tries very hard to fit in with her brothers, who always seem to be having a lot of fun while excluding her. But Amanda is not a 'tom boy'. She does not take naturally to the games and other activities, and so her involvement usually ends in disaster.

excellent reviews

No Boy like Amanda has received excellent reviews from hundreds of readers, including boys and girls of all ages, as well as adults.

"It is especially inspirational for children as it explores several themes, mainly determination, friendship, courage, self-discovery and the importance of parental guidance, especially the affirmation that comes from a strong father-daughter relationship," Barnett said.

In support of the selected novel, Phyllis Anderson, president of JRA, described No Boy like Amanda as a Jamaican novel that the average child can relate to.

"I think it's quite suitable," she said.

The JRA, an organisation which consists of mainly teachers and educators, will stage National Reading Week 2013, April 28-May 4, under the theme, JRA: Strengthening our nation through literacy.

"Our main focus is to develop literacy skills at all levels, as well as give support to teachers in this area. It's not just money that we need to strengthen our nation. Persons need to be literate and educated," Anderson explained. This year, FHCCU, which has a strong youth development and education focus, has teamed up with JRA to enhance its reading-week activities. Anderson described the partnership with the credit union as a dream come true.

To this end, JRA members, FHCCU staff members and students from Mico University College and St Joseph's Teachers' College will conduct Read Aloud sessions at eight schools in the Corporate Area.

This, the JRA President said, is a powerful reading strategy that develops children's minds, inspiring imagination and creativity.

"Schools are encouraged to do storytelling, reading, book reports, write stories, poems, other forms of creative writing and present them, read aloud.

"The writing process is a part of reading. We will also be launching an essay competition that will culminate in May," she said.

Three of the schools will receive book donations for their library, courtesy of FHCCU's 'Today a Reader ... Tomorrow a Leader' Book Drive initiative.

National Reading Week is an annual event hosted by the JRA to highlight the importance of reading and developing literacy skills. The week of activities will open with a church service at the Full Truth Church of God Deliverance Centre, on Sunday, April 28, and conclude with a Tea Party at the Police Officers' Club on Saturday, May 4.