Sets of the 2024 KRARI selection The Lost Library are available to schools and public libraries planning to lead a KRARI book discussion this spring and summer. Please use the appropriate form below to request a book set. Requests must be made using the appropriate form by March 11, 2024. Book sets will be delivered early April.

Questions about book distribution may be addressed to:

Danielle Margarida

Youth Services Coordinator, RI Office of Library and Information Services

danielle.margarida@olis.ri.gov

The Kids Reading Across RI Committee is happy to announce that The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is the 2024 selection!

From the publisher:

When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.

Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.

Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you)

Reviews:

Kirkus

Publisher's Weekly

Find all KRARI resources on the online guide at olis-ri.libguides.com/krari. Included on the guide:

• virtual event recordings
• discussion guide
• book lists
• hands-on activities
• related web sites

Learn more about the title and themes, and what the KRARI committee has planned for this year's program. The session includes:

• Overview of the Kids Reading Across Rhode Island program
• Introduction to the 2024 selection and LibGuide
• Requesting a book set
• In-person kickoff event
• Ways to get involved in KRARI in the future

The Kids Reading Across RI committee is pleased to announce this year's Honorary Chair is Meg Hamlin-Black, State Librarian of Rhode Island.

“The one book, one community model is not only impactful in encouraging reading and bolstering literacy, but also in building bridges through shared experiences,” said Megan Hamlin-Black, Rhode Island State Librarian. “The RI Center for the Book's Kids Read Across Rhode Island initiative beautifully facilitates, through literature and associated programming, a shared experience among young Rhode Island readers from all walks of life – reminding us that we are more alike than different.” - Megan Hamlin-Black, State Librarian of Rhode Island and 2024 Honorary Kids Reading Across Rhode Island Chair

Public libraries and youth serving organizations are invited to participate in the May 4th kickoff event at the State House. The event is scheduled for 2pm-4pm and set-up begins at 1pm. It's a great opportunity to promote your library and summer reading program to families from all over the state. In the past libraries have had tables with activities related to the summer reading theme or the KRARI book. Your activity may be a craft, a STEM demo, or an interactive exhibit.

The Rhode Island Center for the Book is pleased to partner with the American Library Association in support of Unite Against Book Bans, a national grassroots campaign to engage the public in the fight against censorship. This non-partisan campaign leverages the reach of national organizations representing librarians; educators; parents; authors, publishers; distributors; champions for civil liberties, civil rights, and equality; and more.

We invite you to raise your voice for the right to read:

• Join the Rhode Island Center for the Book Unite Against Book Bans Advocacy Committee to help us fight book bans and soft censorship in our state.

• Connect with thousands of others and sign up to Unite Against Book Bans: join and follow Unite Against Book Bans.

• Spread the word on social media. Here are some graphics.

Email kate@ribook.org to get involved.

Together, we will defeat censorship!

The RI Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee has created a form for reporting material challenges and other forms of censorship taking place in Rhode Island. This will allow the committee to track the censorship happening in RI to be better informed on how to help. The committee will also report the data to ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom if the respondent chooses, so those facing book bans and other censorship attempts can report to the state and national library organization using only one form. The Intellectual Freedom Committee encourages any librarian, library staff member, or educator to report any incident of attempted censorship happening at your institution, no matter how small, using this new form. The link to the form can be found in the Intellectual Freedom Committee's webpage, linked below. Please share this information with your colleagues.

https://rilibraries.org/intellectual-freedom

Kids Reading Across Rhode Island, Rhode Island's One Book, One State community read program for kids, is kicking off its 15th year! This program, offered by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services in partnership with the Rhode Island Center for the Book, encourages students across the state in grades 4 through 6 to read the same book, and engage in community discussions and programs.

Email: danielle.margarida@olis.ri.gov
Website: https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/reading-programs/kids-reading-across-ri-program
Phone: 401-574-9309