Teen Read Week Coming to local libraries

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

Ba/teenreadwkpr 99-352

Contact: Betty Valdés, 240-777-0017
For Immediate Release: October 1, 1999

"Teen Read Week"
Coming to local libraries

Special programs at public libraries throughout Montgomery County will highlight Teen Read Week, October 17-23, designed to encourage parents and teachers to foster an interest in reading among teens.

Entitled "Reading Rocks - Read for the Fun of It," the nationwide program was developed to turn teens on to reading. The week-long observance is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Young Adult Services Association.

"Teens sometimes get so busy they forget that there's more to reading than just school books," says Harriet Henderson, director of the Department of Public Libraries.

"Teen Read Week aims to remind teens that reading is fun, it's free and can be done anywhere, anytime. We also hope it encourages parents and teachers to promote teen reading."

During Teen Read Week, the library will offer programs for teens, including:

· October 18, Aspen Hill Library, 7 p.m. Author Annette Curtis Klause will read aloud new short stories accepted for publication, including a prequel to her award-winning The Silver Kiss and an excerpt from her novel Blood and Chocolate now being scripted for a movie by MGM. For more information, call 301-871-0458.

· October 21, Bethesda Library, 7 p.m. A Pizza Party will be sponsored by the Bethesda Teen Book Review group and the Friends of the Bethesda Library. Best Young Adult books will be discussed and door prizes will be presented. To register, call 301-986-4300.

· October 28, Olney Library, 7 p.m. Young adult author Elisa Carbone will discuss her latest book, Stealing Freedom, nominated as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She will include stories about her experience researching and writing the story of Anna Maria Weems, a Maryland slave who, disguised as a boy, escaped to Canada at the age of 13. Carbone also took Oprah Winfrey through a reenactment of slavery and escape along the Underground Railroad - in preparation for Winfrey's role as Sethe in "Beloved." The program is designed for young adults and older. For more information, call 301-570-1232.

Bookmarks celebrating Teen Read Week will be given out at all Montgomery County Public libraries. Teens may also enter a drawing sponsored by Friends of the Library, Bikes USA, Fresh Fields Whole Foods Market, Rachel's Hallmark and Tower Records.

For more information about Teen Read Week, visit the nearest public library.

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