This week is Teen Read Week throughout the United States. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association, began the program in 1998 as a way to encourage teens to read. “The main goal is to promote reading among teens for fun beyond what is required,” BSM media specialist Ms. Laura Sylvester said.

According to YALSA’s website, this year’s theme for Teen Read Week is: “Get away at your library.” Sylvester, who is organizing the event at BSM, encourages students to read books that follow this theme. “We hope that students use books to escape and entertain,” Sylvester said.

Sylvester hopes that students, faculty, and staff alike will participate in the event. “Students are encouraged to ask teachers and staff about their favorite books, books they’ve read, and the worst or best movie adaptations they’ve seen,” Sylvester said.

To encourage reading, prizes will be given out based on drawings throughout the week. “[There are also] prize drawings and trivia questions as incentives to participate,” Sylvester said.

Students can get involved by visiting BSM’s or any library to pick out up one of the hot reads of the season, the next installment of your favorite series, or an old classic.