The In-N-Out "Food for Thought" Reading Program  

The In-N-Out “Food for Thought” Reading Program in October/November is for children ages 4 to 12. A child visiting the library may register at the Children’s Desk to receive a “Food for Thought” reading log and check out books from the library at his/her reading level. A child will return to the library to report the books read and Children’s staff will validate the reading log. When the child has read five books, he or she will receive certificate good for a free cheeseburger or hamburger at any In-N-Out Burger restaurant. Parents may read to children who are too young to read themselves. Children may receive up to three award certificates during the six-week long reading program. For further information, contact the Children’s Desk at (626) 307-1358.

California Young Reader Medal Program

The California Young Reader Medal program (CYRM) encourages recreational reading of popular literature among the young people of California. Since its inception in 1974, millions of California children have nominated, read, and voted for the winners of the California Young Reader Medal. Children may participate in the California Young Reader Medal Program from September to March of each year. Children read all the nominated books in one or more categories and vote for their favorites. The winning titles will be announced and celebrated at the library in May.

The CYRM program is sponsored by four statewide organizations committed to books and reading: California Library Association (CLA), California Reading Association, California Association of Teachers of English and California School Library Association. Young people suggest the names of favorite books for nomination or teachers and librarians note repeatedly read or requested titles, and these are submitted to the California Young Reader Medal Committee. Members of the committee read the suggested books, discuss their merits and appeal to children, and then decide upon a well-balanced list of nominees. A book to be considered for nomination must be an original work of fiction published within the last five years by a living author. Recommendations for nomination are due each year by April 1st for consideration as a nominee the following year. It is a two-year cycle from the time of nomination by students to the presentation of the California Young Reader Medal to the winning authors (and illustrators in the Primary category). The interest and enthusiasm for the nominated books shown by the young readers of California clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the California Young Reader Medal program in achieving its goal: their introduction to the enjoyment of reading purely for pleasure.

Children’s Book Week

Since 1919, educators, librarians, booksellers and families have celebrated Children's Book Week and the wonderful world of children’s books during the week before Thanksgiving. It is an annual focus on the enjoyment of reading, with the aim of encouraging as many children as possible to get into books. So, this year—join the party and share the joy of reading. The library usually celebrates with a special program and a book display.

For those planning ahead, upcoming Children's Book Week dates are:

2008: May

2009: May