A NEW range of books chosen by teenagers, for teenagers is being added to the shelves of Newhaven and Seaford libraries thanks to a generous donation.

As part of their Prospero Project, Alfriston-based Much Ado Books raised £2,500 for the new titles by selling Christmas stockings over the festive period.

Officers from East Sussex County Council’s library and information service worked with Year 7 students from Seahaven Academy, looking at the type of books they thought other children their age would be interested in reading.

Every student who took part in the book selection was given a book of their choice to take home.

“The Prospero Project gave us a unique opportunity to work closely with young people in the community and gave them a chance to influence the titles appearing on library shelves,” said Cllr Chris Dowling, lead member for community services.

“We are extremely grateful to Much Ado Books for enabling us to take part in this project and for their generous donation.”

On Tuesday, March 15, students from Seahaven Academy joined Cllr Dowling, Nash Robbins from Much Ado Books to launch the new collection at Newhaven Library.

The chosen books include The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, Coraline by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell and Watership Down by Richard Adams.

The new range of books will be displayed as separate collections in both libraries under the banner ‘Good Reads from Seahaven Academy’.

Nash Robbins from Much Ado Books said: “This project enabled young people to choose books with others in mind, and explore a wider range of styles.  The libraries have added some terrific new books to the collection that children all around the area will be able to enjoy – books that will be all the more popular because they have been selected by peers.”