British author are appalled at the rates of childhood illiteracy in England, so they decided to do something about it. Five hundred forty-five authors signed a letter to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown demanding that action be taken against childhood illiteracy.
They called for children to be taught to read for an hour a day, adding that "no child should be left behind".
Crime writer Ian Rankin said literacy rates were falling, and that this "shouldn't be happening in the UK".
A government spokesman said there was a commitment to bring a "sharper focus" to the basics of reading.
The letter has been signed by 545 writers including Nick Hornby, Joanna Trollope, Kate Mosse, Jackie Collins and Poet Laureate Andrew Motion.
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The letter was delivered to Downing Street this morning by Trollope, Mosse, bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, Tony Parsons and Amanda Ross, a television producer who is credited with creating Richard and Judy's Book Club.
The letter reads: "As authors, we are deeply concerned at the low levels of childhood literacy across Britain. In a complex world, reading has become increasingly important - if not crucial.
The reality is that the issue of childhood literacy transcends party politics and ideological divisions - and unites all of us who care about the future of our children.
The prime minister has said that 'every child is special, every child precious and therefore no child should be left behind'. It's time to focus on the push to get all our kids reading in order to make this happen."
Official statistics show that one in five 11-year-olds leaving primary school cannot read the minimum standard for that age group, which is rather alarming.
