Children read away summer with 5,692 books

Magness Library’s 2007 Summer Reading Program was another great success, with 246 children participating and an incredible 5,692 books being read during the six-week program.

This year’s theme, showing a cowboy influence, was ‘Rompin’ Stompin’ Reading Roundup,’ and featured visits by none other than legendary cowgirl heroine ‘Annie Oakley,’ in the person of Oakley enthusiast and authority, Loretta Jones. Jones dressed for the part and gave kids some wonderful insight and information on the well-known sharpshooter.

Jones said she was happy to be a part of the program because she believes reading is one of the best ways to learn more about the history of one’s heroes, like with the large number of books available on Oakley’s exploits.

‘I think that to give them a well-rounded education reading is important,’ Jones said. ‘What better way to spend their spare time than to read? Of course this year’s theme was the Wild West and I’m very much a part of that. I have a lot of information to share about Annie and the West in general, and the children seem to love that. This is part of their growth and education, and certainly the library has done a wonderful job putting this together.’

Magness Library director Mary Robbins says the program is a great way to get children familiar with the library and the services it offers.

‘I was really happy with the Summer Reading Program this year,’ Robbins said. ‘We had so many children enrolled and had a really good variety of programs. And of course this year was our first year in our new children’s department. So that made it really exciting.

‘And not only did we have the program here at Magness, we had one at the Midway Community Center, and one at Hamilton Street Activity Center,’ Robbins said. ‘So it was a great summer, and we’re planning a winter reading program.’

Special programs in this year’s Summer Reading Program included Joel Reese ‘The Singing Cowboy,’ Jones as ‘Annie Oakley,’ Kevin Kidd with ‘Cowpokes don’t Poke fun at Each Other,’ and Caney Fork Regional Library’s ‘The Gingerbread Cowboy.’

Participants were also treated to a Chuckwagon Lunch provided and served by Ryan’s Restaurant.

This year’s Summer Reading Program top readers were:

2-5 Age Group

‘ 1st ‘ Ashley Underwood (365 books)

‘ 2nd ‘ Gabby Scott (312 books)

‘ 3rd ‘ Alexandria Lescarini (245 books)

6-9 Age Group

‘ 1st ‘ Adora Scott (403 books)

‘ 2nd ‘ Lauran Cantrell (270 books)

‘ 3rd ‘ Kaleb Pelham (209 books)

10-12 Age Group

‘ 1st ‘ Andrew Coppinger (252 books)

‘ 2nd ‘ Jonathan Smedley (53 books)

‘ 3rd ‘ Edward Lowry/Ashley McEwen/Vanessa Rodriquez (each read 45 books for a three-way-tie)

A drawing was held from among all the completed reading logs turned in. Prizes were a boy’s bike and a girl’s bike. Winners were Gabby Scott, (girl) and Kaleb Pelham (boy). Participants also received food prizes from Dairy Queen, Hardee’s, McDonald’s and Sonic.