What are YOU reading this summer? Our friends at Downtown Books are pleased to announce that sign-up has begun for One Summer One Read! A book club geared towards 5th graders and up featuring Refugee- an upcoming release from NC author and Dare County favorite, Alan Gratz! Alan visited Dare County Schools in October of 2017 and was a hit with middle grade readers. His new book, Refugee, releases in July and is the story of three refugee children, from different times and places, who go through incredible journeys trying to find a better life. Alan's novel offers kids a very unique refugee perspective as seen through the eyes of children their own age and he captures the refugee experience in a way that readers of any age will appreciate.
A Jewish boy from Nazi Germany. A Cuban girl in 1994. A Syrian boy escaping 2015 Aleppo. Who will make it? Who won't? How does this happen? WHY does this happen? Kids will be able to discuss these topics and more by taking part in One Summer One Read. Sign-up started June 1 and must be done in person at Downtown Books in Manteo. The first 150 children to do so will receive their copy of Refugee absolutely FREE. The official release date for Refugee is July 25, but Alan is coming a day early to the Outer Banks to launch the book on July 24, hand out the book to participants and lead the first introductory meeting! Three subsequent meetings will be held on Monday July 31 (NHES), August 7 (FFES) and August 14 (KHES). Assisted by DCS media coordinators and volunteers, readers will be given the opportunity to come together and talk about the book, what happens in it and what happened to them when they read it. Refugee is a timely, important and engaging novel that every member of the Outer Banks community can benefit from reading. It sheds a bright light on the current refugee crises, helping readers to better understand what is happening, and is a strong reminder that many people around the world spend every day trying to escape to a better life and live with one thought- the hope of tomorrow.
One Summer One Read! has been made possible by generous funding from the Bryan Cultural Series, the Manteo Rotary Club and District Court Judge Meader Harris. Sponsorships are still being accepted to help defray program costs and volunteers to help with OSOR meetings are welcome!
For more information, call 252-473-1056. Downtown Books is located at 105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street in Manteo. Summer hours are Mon- Sat 10 - 5, Fridays 10 - 8 and Sundays 11 -3.