Books are the greatest mentors for students. To increase students’ exposure to a wide range of literature, EdCity has been running a host of reading initiatives – from the Reading Charter to the eRead Scheme and various literary competitions and awards, among which, the Top Ten Book Picks remains the organisation’s flagship programme. This year’s edition saw over 50,000 students cast their votes, a new high that underscores the awards’ prestige and growing reading culture in schools.
The 21st Top Ten Book Picks award presentation ceremony was held on 22 July. Dr Christine Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education, Education Bureau, was the guest of honour, recommending The Gay Genius: The Life and Times of Su Tungpo by Lin Yutang to the audience of teachers and students during her opening remarks. Mr Armstrong Lee, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EdCity, also shared a quote from the Book of Rites (禮記): ‘Learning alone and without friends makes one feel solitary and uncultivated, with but little information’ (獨學而無友，則孤陋寡聞) – encouraging students to find companionship in books and promote a ‘Read and Share’ culture with their peers.
This year’s awards introduced two new categories: the ‘Local Original Works Grand Prizes’ (本地原創大獎) and ‘Celebrity Picks’ (名人推薦好讀), in addition to the perennial favourites, such as ‘Most Favourite Author’ (最愛作家), ‘Students’ Favourite Author’ (學生最愛書籍) and ‘Teachers’ Recommended Reads’ (教師推薦好讀). The ‘Most Favourite Author’, titles went to A Nong (阿濃), secondary, and Patrick Tang (STEM Sir), primary. Tang also clinched the ‘Local Original Works Grand Prize (Primary)’ for his book, ‘STEM on Lantau’ (STEM在大嶼), which also ranked second in the ‘Students’ Favourite Author (Primary)’ category. The ‘Local Original Works Grand Prize (Secondary)’ was awarded to secondary student writer, Leah Lai, whose work ‘A Cup of Milk Tea, A Case’ the ‘Students’ Favourite Book (Secondary)’ list.
For more details on the Top Ten Book Picks awards and the presentation ceremony, please visit https://www.hkreadingcity.net/zh-hant/content/10books2023
As the distinguished guest-of-honour at the 21st Top Ten Book Picks awards presentation ceremony, Dr Christine Choi, JP, the Secretary for Education, emphasised the importance of students expanding their literary horizons by engaging with timeless classics, singling out Lin Yutang’s ‘The Gay Genius: The Life and Times of Su Tungpo’ as a work worthy of their attention.
Dr Christine Choi, JP, the Secretary for Education (second from right), Mr Armstrong Lee, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EdCity (first from right), and Mr Ken Ngai, Executive Director of EdCIty (first from left), joined students in promoting the culture of ‘Read and Share’.
Dr Christine Choi, JP, the Secretary for Education, and Mr Armstrong Lee, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EdCity, witnessed over 20 primary and secondary school students reciting the Reading Charter together.
The winners of the 21st Top Ten Book Picks awards were revealed, with Patrick Tang’s book ‘STEM on Lantau’(STEM在大嶼) – authored under his moniker ‘STEM Sir’, earning multiple accolades. These included the ‘Students’ Favourite Author (Primary)’ and the ‘Local Original Works Grand Prize (Primary)’.
‘A Cup of Milk Tea, A Case’(一杯奶茶，一件案情) by secondary school student author Leah Lai was recognised as the ‘Students’ Favourite Book (Secondary)’ in the 21st Top Ten Book Picks. Lai also earned the ‘Local Original Works Grand Prize (Secondary)’ for her acclaimed work.