Dublin teenagers invited to take part in a citywide reading campaign
Teenagers across Dublin are being invited to take part in a citywide reading campaign.
The 2025 Teen Citywide Reading Campaign has been launched by Dublin City Council in partnership with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. The initiative encourages young people to read for pleasure, connect with their local libraries, and share their experience of one great book.
With Crying Wolf by James Butler as this year’s chosen title, this gripping urban thriller was published by Little Island Books. Following the story a teenager named Joey who is determined to leave his criminal past behind, old ties and dangerous choices pull him back into the world he was trying to escape.
The campaign kicked off yesterday at Ballyfermot Library, where transition year students met the author James Butler along with Councillor Vincent Jackson, who was representing the Lord Mayor. The campaign will run from November to January, and see the author visit libraries across the city.
With stops in Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Cabra, Central Library, Coolock, Dolphin’s Barn, Donaghmede, Drumcondra, Finglas, Kevin Street, Marino, Terenure, and Walkinstown, young readers will have plenty of opportunities to meet and discuss literature with Butler.
Copies of Crying Wolf are available in all Dublin city libraries, as well as bookshops nationwide. Those who take part are encouraged to share their reading experience online using #CitywideRead.
Author James Butler stated: “I'm delighted that Dublin UNESCO City of Literature has chosen 'Crying Wolf' for this year's Teen Citywide Read campaign.”
“I hope that readers will enjoy following our young hero, Joey as he escapes the suburbs and his criminal past and heads into the city to begin a new life - an exploration that hopefully will help him find a newer, better version of himself, 'because a different Joey is all he wants to be.'”
Cllr Jackson also voiced his support for the campaign and said “it’s a pleasure to be involved with an initiative that encourages teenagers to read and talk about books.”
“This year’s choice, Crying Wolf by James Butler, will keep readers enthralled. I hope that all involved will enjoy the book and the great experience of meeting and discussing the work with the author,” he added.
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