The Alexander City Outlook

Russell library’s teen reading program ends

The theme of the summer program for teens and pre-teens at the Adelia M. Russell Library in Alexander City was “Making Waves,” and when the reading totals were announced for the two-month program, it was a tidal wave of books and pages.

According to Pam Freeman, who is a part-time employee at the library and handles all programs for teenagers, the 20 kids who participated read 80,494 pages from 382 books. In order to count toward the reading totals a book had to be checked out of one of the Alexander City Libraries. Before relaying the grand totals, Freeman asked the kids in attendance how many pages they thought they had all read – one young lady said 15,000, while a young man guessed around 20,000. It was a welcomed shock to all in attendance that they had read so many pages and books.

“I am just blown away by the participation this year (and) the number of pages read. I was just so proud of them,” said Freeman.

The award ceremony on Monday culminated the activities for the program. The group of kids ranged from the fifth grade through seniors in high school.

During the final gathering for the “Making Waves” program, the top three spots in the reading competition were announced. The third place reader was Leah Benton with over 6,800 pages read; the runner up was Alessandra Helms, who soaked up 13,087 pages; and, in first place, Alyssa O’Brien absorbed 19,801 pages.

O’Brien, a junior at Benjamin Russell High School says it makes her happy to read books; her favorite is a series called Eragon, a fantasy series about a boy and a dragon.

“(Reading) is a way to get away from the world,” O’Brien said. “I read everyday. I would die if books disappeared. I would have to make a protest.”

Everyone in attendance on Monday left with something.

The theme of the summer program for teens and pre-teens at the Adelia M. Russell Library in Alexander City was “Making Waves,” and when the reading totals were announced for the two-month program, it was a tidal wave of books and pages.

According to Pam Freeman, who is a part-time employee at the library and handles all programs for teenagers, the 20 kids who participated read 80,494 pages from 382 books. In order to count toward the reading totals a book had to be checked out of one of the Alexander City Libraries. Before relaying the grand totals, Freeman asked the kids in attendance how many pages they thought they had all read – one young lady said 15,000, while a young man guessed around 20,000. It was a welcomed shock to all in attendance that they had read so many pages and books.

“I am just blown away by the participation this year (and) the number of pages read. I was just so proud of them,” said Freeman.

The award ceremony on Monday culminated the activities for the program. The group of kids ranged from the fifth grade through seniors in high school.

During the final gathering for the “Making Waves” program, the top three spots in the reading competition were announced. The third place reader was Leah Benton with over 6,800 pages read; the runner up was Alessandra Helms, who soaked up 13,087 pages; and, in first place, Alyssa O’Brien absorbed 19,801 pages.

O’Brien, a junior at Benjamin Russell High School says it makes her happy to read books; her favorite is a series called Eragon, a fantasy series about a boy and a dragon.

“(Reading) is a way to get away from the world,” O’Brien said. “I read everyday. I would die if books disappeared. I would have to make a protest.”

Everyone in attendance on Monday left with something.