Lacey is gearing up for its 22nd annual “Lacey Loves to Read” program, a community-wide literacy initiative that brings residents together around the works of one award-winning author.
Recreation Supervisor Jeannette Sieler said the program continues to be a “popular and successful” community literacy partnership between Lacey Timberland Library, Lacey South Sound Chamber and North Thurston Public Schools.
“The mission of Lacey loves to read is to bring the community together around the works of one award-winning author each year,” Sieler said.
“We look for someone who has written a variety of works, which will spark interest and encourage reading for all ages.”
This year's featured author is Varian Johnson, whose work includes the novels "The Parker Inheritance" and "The Great Greene Heist."
Johnson will visit Lacey from Feb. 12-14 to meet with students and residents.
As part of the program, the Lacey Timberland Library is sponsoring a teen writing and cover art contest for middle and high school students, which has drawn heavy interest.
The organizers reported a record number of entries this year, including 40 short stories, nine poems and nine cover artworks.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade can also participate in the "Read around Lacey," an interactive reading adventure, visiting local businesses to read and discuss the importance of reading.
The program also features the annual bookmark contest, which this year received more than 3,600 entries from elementary and private schools in the area.
“‘Lacey Loves to Read’ tradition is to get kids excited about the program and combine art and literacy,” Sieler said.
The grand prize winners included Woodland Elementary, Lakes Elementary, Evergreen Forest Elementary, Aspire Middle School, North Thurston High School students and a homeschooler.
Each winner received a copy of one of Varian Johnson's books and a poster to be displayed at the Lacey Timberland Library.
The city council proclaimed February as "Lacey Loves to Read Month," encouraging all community members to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of reading and discuss the works by author Varian Johnson.
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