Read Beyond Reality @your library during Teen Read Week 2009

Area teens will be reading for the fun of it as Simon Kenton High School celebrates Teen Read Week, October 18-24, 2009. They join thousands of other libraries, schools and bookstores across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year's theme, "Read Beyond Reality @ your library." Teen Read Week is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. This year's theme encourages teens to read a wide variety of materials that are out of this world, just for the fun of it.

"Today's teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have," said Mrs. Moore SK librarian. "That is why it's important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read."

Studies show a regular reading habit increases reading proficiency, and SK librarian Toni Moore agrees. "One of the most important ways teens acquire the habit is by watching adults they respect" says Mrs. Moore.

Being around adults who are avid readers can counteract the latest statistics from The Nations Report Card , which indicated that in homes across America the number of different types of reading materials has decreased, and a similar percentage of seventeen-year-olds saw adults reading in their homes.

Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week at home. Mrs Moore offers these ideas:

• Visit the public or school library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books.
• set aside time each night for the family to read.
• Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.
• Share your favorite book with your teen.
• Surf the web with your teen to learn about new books or authors. A good place to start is YALSA's Booklist's page.
• Join a book discussion group at the school or public library.

Teen Read Week is held annually during the third week of October. An updated sponsors and supporting organizations list can be found at the web site, www.ala.org/teenread.