Book notes: Libraries encourage youths to read over the summer
Give Spokane’s librarians a grade of “A” for their continuing efforts to get children interested in reading.
A joint program between Spokane County Library District and Spokane Public Library systems, called Get a Clue! @ Your Library, is designed to help children keep track of the books they have read over the summer.
All 10 branches of the county library, and all six branches of Spokane Public, will begin accepting sign-ups for the program on Friday.
There’s even a prize involved: Those participants who have read 15 books – a recommended list can be found online at www.summerreadingspokane.org – by Aug. 31 will receive a free pass to the “A T. rex Named Sue” dinosaur exhibit at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (the pass is good when accompanied by one paying adult).
For more information about the program, go online. Or call SPL’s Eva Silverstone at (509) 444-5307 or SCLD’s Beth Gillespie at (509) 893-8205.
Just for fun, here are five books that I would recommend to any sixth-grader:
1. “White Fang,” by Jack London. Why? Because more than a century later, London’s storytelling retains its essential power.
2. “James and the Giant Peach,” by Roald Dahl. Because Dahl is better than anyone at making fun of youthful pain.
3. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis. Because Lewis is good preparation for J.R.R. Tolkien.
4. “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” by Shel Silverstein. Because you’re never too old for poetry, especially when it’s funny.
5. “The Diary of a Young Girl,” by Anne Frank. Because you’re never too young to learn about the horror of war.
Harry’s coming
Area bookstores and libraries are girding up for the July 21 release of the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (Arthur A. Levine, 784 pages, $34.99).
I’ve already received notice of a party that will be held July 20 at Auntie’s Bookstore. I’ll be happy to list others. Just e-mail the information to danw@spokesman.com, or send it by mail to Harry Potter Party, c/o Dan Webster, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane 99201.
Going to the source
For years, Spokane young-adult author Terry Trueman has wanted to republish “Sheehan,” his epic 1991 poem that was the basis of his first novel: a Printz Honor book, “Stuck in Neutral.”
Now that desire will become a reality.
“Sheehan: Heartbreak and Redemption” (Xlibris/United Writers, 135 pages), which a press release describes as “a unique work of nonfiction,” will be available in July.
The book includes a preface by local author Chris Crutcher and an afterword by another, Michael Gurian, an interview with Trueman by Spokane freelance writer Kelly Milner Halls and pictures of his son, Sheehan, the basis for the character of Shawn McDaniel.
Random success
Moscow, Idaho, author Nathan D. Wilson hit the big time with his novel “Leepike Ridge” (Random House, 240 pages, $15.99).
Not only were “several” New York publishers interested in the book, his publicist Aaron Rench says, but Random House offered Wilson a four-book deal that included “Leepike Ridge” and a three-book fantasy series that will debut in December.
“Leepike Ridge” tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Thomas who, according to a press release sent by Rench, “struggles to survive after floating down a stream on a piece of Styrofoam and being sucked beneath a mountain.”
“There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep both seasoned and reluctant readers turning the pages,” wrote a reviewer for School Library Journal. “Think Mark Twain with a contemporary and utterly captivating twist.”
Awards galore
Carolyne Wright, author of the poetry collection “A Change of Maps,” was one of seven bronze winners in the poetry category the 2007 Independent Publisher Books Awards. There were two gold winners and one silver.
Wright’s book, which was published by Sandpoint-based Lost Horse Press, placed in one of 65 categories that the IPBA honors each year to entries from the United States, Canada and 17 other foreign countries.
The reader board
“Dick Warwick (“Out West to Outback and Beyond”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Call (509) 838-0206.
“Ignite! Community Theatre (“Dangerous Liaisons”), 6:30 p.m. Friday, Auntie’s Bookstore.