Richmond’s Public Library is hosting its sixth annual “Girls of Summer” event Wednesday. It’s the kick-off for an empowering summer reading list, put together by two local authors.
The city’s main public library hosted almost 300 kids and their families last year, as local authors Meg Medina and GigiAmateau unveiled the books they had carefully curated for a not-your-average summer reading list.
Beth Morris is the city’s chief children’s librarian.
“Every year they get together and they come up with these 18 books, anywhere from picture book up through Young Adult, to really show girls strong characters and that we can just do anything the guys can do,” says Morris.
This year, the event will also feature New York Times best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherfood.
“It’s just giving everybody a chance to meet some authors, to ask questions – especially those kids that are interested in writing," says Morris.
The idea has spread beyond Richmond. Local Charlottesville authors unveiled their own list earlier this month, and Morris says it’s an easy thing a community can do to encourage kids to read this summer.
The unveiling happens Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the main branch of the Richmond Public Library. And whether you’re in Richmond or not, you can access the list at girlsofsummerlist.com.
