DEW SCHOOL Library Birthday Book Club members for the months of July, August and September are, l-r, Keely Smith, Jake Hughes, Rachel Chavers and Cullen Phillips. Area teens are reading for the fun of it as Fairfield high school Sally Rose Awalt Media Center celebrates Teen Read Week October 18 - 24.

The FHS teens join thousands of other libraries, schools and bookstores across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year's theme, "Read Beyond Reality @ your library."

Teen Read Week is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. This year's theme encourages teens to read a wide variety of materials that are "out of this world", just for the fun of it.

"Today's teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have," says Nadine Phillips. "That is why it's important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read and why the FHS Media Center has three days with extended hours for our students."

Ms. Phillips hopes to increase teen literacy in Freestone county by offering current interesting reading materials for the community's teens.

Literacy is a topic of nationwide concern, and falling test scores and lower graduation rates among teens today are serious issues. Fairfield high school's TAKS scores, including reading, merit the campus the Recognized ranking by the state. Statistics show a direct connection between a library media center with current reading resources and good test scores made by the students of that campus. Studies also show a regular reading habit increases reading proficiency and the high school librarian agrees.

Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week at home. Ms. Phillips offers these ideas: Encourage your child to visit the library and check out a book; set aside time each night for the family to read; give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward; share your favorite book with your teen; surf the web with your teen to learn about new books or authors. A good place to start is YALSA's booklist page; join a book discussion group at the school or public library.

Teen Read Week is held annually during the third week of October. An updated sponsors and supporting organizations list can be found at the web site.