Events

(Berkeley County, SC) The Berkeley County Council, at its February 8 meeting proclaimed March, 2010 "Berkeley Reads Month." Berkeley County residents will share the joy of reading in March as "Berkeley Reads" embarks on its third annual community reading program. The 2010 selections will have the county sailing the seas of swashbuckling reading adventures as they turn the pages of three pirate books, specially chosen for all ages.

The Berkeley Reads program, sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley County Library in conjunction with the Berkeley County Library System and the Berkeley County Schools, encourages the community to read one or more of the books and to participate in special events and book discussions at the local libraries and schools. Community reading programs foster a love of reading and aid in the fight against illiteracy as people enjoy reading and talking about books together.

In 2008, Berkeley County inaugurated their community reading program with Marley and Me and residents of all ages delighted in Marley’s story. Last year, the county read a variety of mystery stories, including The Hunt Club by local Charleston author Bret Lott.

This year the theme is pirates and the committee has chosen three books for the public to read, with the first two focusing on family literacy:

• Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail is a beautifully illustrated picture book for ages 4 – 8. Can you imagine a book that combines a pirate story with the love of reading? This book celebrates the power of reading and the ability of one small boy to use his imagination!
  
• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is for ages 10 and over. Written as a pre-quel to the classic Peter Pan, this book follows the adventures of Peter and a mysterious friend as they overcome bands of pirates to save the world from evil. This fast-paced, hard-to- put-down story is full of action and some magical moments. Adults will love this book as well, making for some great family reading.
  
• Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton is a current best seller, recently published from a complete manuscript found after Mr. Crichton’s death. This book for high school and adults is a Caribbean pirate adventure filled with page-turning action.

The Friends of the Library will have copies of all three books available for sale at heavily discounted prices at any Berkeley County Library branch. Copies of these books will also be available for checkout at all library branches. Watch for the calendar of special events and book discussions surrounding the pirate theme in March. More information is available from the Berkeley County Library website, www.berkeley.lib.sc.us.

Additional information can be obtained from:

Pat Richards, Chair of Berkeley Reads at (843) 471-2522 or
phrichards8@gmail.com

Donna Osborne, Director of the Berkeley County Library System at (843) 723-3800 x. 4243 or dosborne@berkeley.lib.sc.us.