Young Norfolk Laureate Akhina Rajesh explores the quiet power of reading in an age of constant scrolling and makes a compelling case for why young people should rediscover the enduring magic of literature.
I will always be proud to say I grew up with books and not screens. I will always be proud to say Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid were part of my childhood. I will forever be proud to be a reader.
Because books aren’t just tree carvings with splashes of ink. For someone disappointed by the often unfair and unmagical reality of the world, books gave me hope – a slice of another world I could disappear into.
With each page, that world showed me new emotions, cultures and experiences.
Each book taught me: my life too is a story that I have yet to finish drafting. Books made me stop and reflect. Their words created the person I am today. Therefore my love for literature is ongoing.
And it pains me a lot to know that there are so many little curious buds out there who have never experienced this. The shift that has happened is one that is painfully obvious.
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So many of us are glued to screens – lacking real human connection. Even I am guilty of scrolling away without a purpose for hours.
We consume so much content that disappears just as fast as it appears. It is really sad to witness.
I often see groups of friends my age, sitting together, but each doomscrolling on their phones, lacking real interactions. Many of us are present physically but rarely ever mentally and emotionally.
In our digital era, while we advance further, our little ones’ memories are shaped with algorithms rather than adventures.
I believe reading and being introduced to the world of words at a young age is crucial for not just their literacy, but also their emotional growth, mental wellbeing and imaginative power. It allows them to grow with patience and time in a world that demands convenience.
Yes, technology is absolutely important. It educates us, makes our lives easier and opens doors to more opportunities.
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But I want young minds to explore the same magic the six-year-old me saw as ink from a pen turned into imagery filled with emotion.
I want them to feel the excitement that makes your stomach do flips when a new addition to your favourite series has been announced.
I want them to experience the thrill of re-reading personal favourites like The Hate U Give or The Perks of Being a Wallflower over and over again, feeling the same spark as the first time.
Reading doesn’t have to be something to dread. It can be something that keeps you going, something that you can look forward to.
The lived experience of reading these books shape me and you. They enable us to be well functioning people when we grow up.
It’s not about how many reels you’ve scrolled past. Because books contain something that screens can never replace.
And to know what that is, you have to explore it first.
This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden.
Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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