On 11 April, Cover2Cover – in conjunction with its non-profit shareholder, the FunDza Literacy Trust – launched Broken Promises at the Masiphumelele Library.
At the vibrant gathering, the FunDza Literacy Trust donated 10 copies of the book to the Masiphumelele Library and the Ikamva Youth group that operates from the library. The centre was packed with about 100 people eager to hear about the publisher, FunDza and to find out more about the book.
Broken Promises, written by acclaimed author Ros Haden, is the first book in Cover2Cover’s Harmony High series. Jealous in Jozi, the sequel to Broken Promises is on the way, as are Too Young to Die by Sivuyile Mazantsi, and Sugar Daddy by popular children’s author, Dianne Case. The Harmony High books read like soap-opera paperbacks, dealing with teenage angst in a very readable and accessible way.
“The books are about a group of teenagers who attend a fictitious township high school called Harmony High. They are like teen soapies: full of drama, romance, intrigue and some difficult choices our heroes and heroines have to make. They are page turners that will keep you hooked from the first chapter until the end. Once you’ve read one, you’ll want to read more,” says Haden.
Speaking on behalf of the FunDza Literacy Trust, Lebogang Rangaka (pictured left) emphasized to the many young people attending the importance of books and reading. She noted that the Masiphumelele youth were lucky to have a well-resourced library as a central part of their community, which provided them with a safe space in which to spend time, learn more and relax. She urged them to make use of the library and learn as much as possible about the world and to take responsibility for their own education – to question as much as possible and to become critical thinkers.
Rangaka launched the FunDza Literacy Trust’s mobile initiative – FunDza – which aims to build a mobile community of readers and improve literacy among the youth in SA. FunDza encourages reader feedback and engagement to ensure that the materials that it provides – through Cover2Cover Books and other publishers – remain relevant.
Rangaka invited readers to become part of FunDza so that they could share ideas with other readers, discuss issues raised through the books, and engage with the writers and publishers of the books.