Local Librarian Pick Best Books for National Read Across America Day

On Wednesday, millions participated in the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, now in its 14th year. The annual tradition, which takes place on or near March 2, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, is designed to get kids of all ages excited about reading.

Here, you will find a list of suggested readings from local librarians in and around the Cascade community, for adults and children:

• Rosie Meadows with the  525 Peeples St., suggests adults might like Walter Moseley’s "The Last Days of Ptolemy" in which a 91-year-old who suffers from dementia takes an experimental drug. For children, she suggests the series, "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid," or "How to Train a Dragon."

• Mr. Derek Wilson with the East Point Branch, 2757 Main St., suggests adults might like James Patterson’s "Crossfire" in which Alex Croft’s old nemesis returns, and Croft makes a life-changing decision. For children, he suggests Patricia Polacco’s "Mr. Lincoln’s Way" in which a teacher befriends a bully and helps him control his anger and confront his insecurities.

• Celeste Gibson with the , 2231 Campbellton Rd., suggests adults read Michelle Andrea Bowen’s "More Church Folk," which offers a glimpse into the world of greedy preachers and for 5th to 10th graders, any book in the Twilight series – one of their most sought after books by patrons.

• Michelle Bennett with the , 3424 Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr., suggests adults read Kathryn Stockett’s "The Help" about three maids extraordinary step during the Civil Rights Movement. She suggests "The Lightening Thief" for 4th –to-9th graders.

• Darlene McDade at the  3665 Cascade Rd, also suggests Stockett’s "The Help" for adults. The children’s librarian, Kimara Mason, suggests Rita Williams-Garcia’s "One Crazy Summer" from the 2011 Newberry Medal and Honor Books.