Young Samurai Author Chris Bradford Sets the Second `Mission’ in Renaissance Learning’s ‘Quest For Knowledge’

LONDON - Following the challenging ‘launch mission’ set by New York Times best-selling author GP Taylor, the next in Renaissance Learning’s ‘Quest for Knowledge’ has been devised by Young Samurai author Chris Bradford, and launches 1st July 2009.

This month’s mission is set in Japan and draws on UK primary and secondary school pupils’ creative skills and powers of deduction. The winner will receive an exclusive Young Samurai pack, which features some fantastic goodies - including a rare signed proof copy of Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior.

Free to enter at www.watchthemgrow.co.uk/quest, the ‘Quest’ culminates at Renaissance Learning’s National Conference. Taking place at the Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon, on 18-19th March 2010, this exciting event will be opened by new Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne and Jacqueline Wilson, who held the post from 2005-2007. More information on how to attend this Conference can be found at www.renlearn.co.uk.

Dirk Foch, Managing Director, Renaissance Learning UK Ltd., comments:

“GP Taylor’s initial `mission’ got many pupils and teachers scratching their heads, and whilst equally challenging, the latest one from Chris Bradford really tests their powers of creativity. With many other exciting challenges still to come, we want as many primary and secondary schools as possible to take part in this fantastic `Quest for Knowledge’ competition.”

Chris Bradford comments:

“The Renaissance Learning ‘Quest for Knowledge’ is a chance for readers to experience some of the challenges and mental tests that Jack Fletcher, the hero of the Young Samurai series, is faced with. Primary level pupils will have to acquire basic Japanese language skills and use determination to solve their Quest; while secondary students will need to prove their creativity by writing a mini-adventure story using 8 key Japanese-orientated words, or else prove their worthiness as true samurai by composing a haiku, a short poem. ‘Ganbette’, as a Samurai would say…Do your best!”

This month also sees the launch of the second book in the award-winning series, Young Samurai: The Way of the Sword, which follows the “literary equivalent of a black belt” - as Publishers Weekly described The Way of the Warrior. More information and an exclusive extract can be read at www.youngsamurai.com.

About Renaissance Learning UK Limited

Renaissance Learning UK Limited is a subsidiary of Renaissance Learning Inc, a company founded in Wisconsin (USA) in 1986. Renaissance Learning UK Ltd is a leading provider of educational solutions to primary and secondary schools across the United Kingdom.

Adopted by more than 74,000 schools worldwide and used by over 250,000 children in the UK everyday, Renaissance Learning produces software that provides teachers and pupils with immediate access to information on academic performance. The Accelerated Reader Advantage and Accelerated Maths Advantage programs provide timely and reliable feedback that enhances individualised instruction, creating a better learning environment for more motivated pupils.

Renaissance works closely with the National Literacy Trust, the National Education Trust and Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, and is supported by best-selling authors for children, such as Malorie Blackman, Peter J Murray and GP Taylor.

For further press enquiries, please contact Gareth Andrews, Tel: +44(0)20-7184-4074, email gandrews@renlearn.co.uk, or Nicki Walker, Tel: +44(0)20-7184-4071, email nwalker@renlearn.co.uk, website: www.renlearn.co.uk.

Source: Renaissance Learning

For further press enquiries, please contact Gareth Andrews,
Tel: +44(0)20-7184-4074, email gandrews at renlearn.co.uk, or Nicki Walker, Tel:
+44(0)20-7184-4071, email nwalker at renlearn.co.uk