Photos by Charity Maness/Fall River Herald Star

Edgemont Public Library head librarian Gail Bethel gifted Henry Whitney a Kindle 10 for winning the highest number of books read in the K-2nd grade category during the Edgemont Public Library summer reading program.

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By Charity Maness

EDGEMONT – What better way to spend a hot summer day than wandering through an adventure, a comedy, a thriller or anything your imagination can conjure up when you pick up a book and wander through the pages of woven words that delight and entice your senses.

To promote a love of reading the Edgemont Public Library, located at 412 2nd avenue, resurrected their summer reading program to the delight of many parents and children.

“It’s so wonderful that its back,” said Carolyn Fines of Edgemont, “anything that is educational for the kids and fun is great.”

Children of all ages participated throughout the summer and on Tuesday August 15 they were rewarded for their commitment to reading as head librarian Gail Bethel held a celebration party for all the young readers.

“It was so fun to see how excited the kids were each time they got a sticker by their name for a book they read,” she said.

As children read books they would come to the library and let Bethel know what they had read and she would place a sticker next to their name. As the stickers grew in number the prizes they could win also grew in value, however, the children did not know what the winning prize would be, only that it was super cool.

In the Kindergarten to 2nd grade division brother and sister Henry and Awnalee Whitney were neck and neck for the most books read with Henry beating his sister out by one book, 36 to 35, and winning a brand new Kindle 10 for his reading prowess.

“I like to read,” he said, “I read about robots and bugs. I even found a book on how to find lizards, I checked it out again to read it again,” he laughed.

“We love to read,” said Henry’s mom Whitney, “not having the summer reading for a few years made summer tough, I’m glad it’s back because reading is so much fun.”

3rd through 5th grade winner was Morgan Little with a whopping 45 books read this summer. Morgan enjoyed her summer reading the American Girl series.

No child who participated went home empty handed as Bethel had gifts for all including insulated water bottles, books and even handmade stuffed animals.

“Today is a celebration of these kids,” said Bethel as she served up her homemade cake to participants and their parents.

Bethel is excited to be offering community programs and hopes to continue expanding on them to embrace the whole community.

For more information on upcoming events visit the Edgemont Public Library located 412 2nd Avenue, Edgemont Monday through Friday 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm or call 605-662-7712.