A new project has been launched by the First Minister to encourage children to pick up books.

Nicola Sturgeon launched the reading challenge at Edinburgh International Book Festival on Friday.

On September 1, a list of 100 books drawn up by a range of academics, writers and publishers will be published by the Scottish Government.

Through work in schools with the Scottish Book Trust, P4 to P7 pupils will set themselves goals to expand on their reading.

STV News asked the First Minister and the leaders of Scotland's four opposition parties which book they would recommend to young people.

The First Minister's recommendation is the classic children's novel Five on a Treasure Island.

The book, first published in 1942, is the first in a series of 21 books by Enid Blyton charting the adventures of a group of young children.

Sturgeon said: "Some of my happiest childhood memories involve immersing myself in the adventures of the Famous Five so I'm pleased to have the opportunity to encourage young people to also experience the joy of reading for pleasure."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson opted, like Sturgeon, for a children's classic.

To Kill a Mockingbird has been a must-read for generations of book lovers.

Davidson said: "My recommendation to a young person looking for something to read would be To Kill a Mockingbird.

"When I was younger, the people I wanted to be like existed in books, and that will be the same for many other young people."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale wants Scotland's children to enter the magical world of Harry Potter.

The best-selling series of seven books is what the Scottish Labour leader has recommended for young people to read.

Dugdale said: "There are few book series that have made as much of an impact on an entire generation of young people as the seven books that make up the Harry Potter series.

"For a large number of people in their 20s and 30s, the Harry Potter books provided a backdrop to their teenage years and followed them into adulthood. Now, another generation of readers are finding the joy of these books.

"What makes Harry Potter special isn't just the quality of the writing and the magical world that J.K. Rowling conjures up, but the sheer scale and depth of the story.

"This is a series of books that grew up along with the original readers. It starts as a simple story about a boy wizard but by the end it has dealt with grief, bereavement and the battle between good and evil.

"But, most importantly, they are books that allow you to escape and get lost in a world that feels very far away from our day-to-day lives, though given they were made in Scotland, the inspiration of our cities, glens and castles are never very far away."

The Scottish Green co-convener was the only party leader to recommend a book of a somewhat political nature.

Duck for President tracks the adventures of a frustrated farmyard duck who is unhappy with his farmer.

Readers join Duck on a journey as he tries to take over the farm and, eventually, ends up in the White House.

Harvie describes the book as "hilarious, disastrous and timely".

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie recommends the work of prolific Scottish children's author Lari Don.

Out of her catalogue of work Rennie chose the novel First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts.

He said: "During the election I was lucky enough to be given a signed copy of First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts by Scottish author Lari Don.

"Children, and parents, who enjoy stories with dragons, centaurs or other magical creatures will love it."