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11:48am Friday 11th May 2007

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A NOVELIST who grew up in Malvern is to have one of his books used in the biggest ever community read in Britain.

Black Swan Green Big Read is an initiative supported by more than 80 library authorities nationwide.

It aims to unite reading groups around Britain in reading Black Swan Green by David Mitchell in June and July.

Participants will also be able to join the scheme online at www.blackswangreen. co.uk, which will have a message board where readers can exchange opinions.

This scheme will be officially announced at the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival on Saturday, May 26, and launched on Saturday June 2, when copies of the book will be given away in city centres across Britain.

Black Swan Green is about 13 months in the life of Jason, a stammering 13-year-old, as he grows up in a Worcestershire village in 1982 and has to deal with bullying, rowing parents and an annoying big sister heading for university.

It also refers to Jason's forays into writing poetry, his first fumblings with girls, butterscotch Angel Delight, the Falklands War and Thatcherite cuts.