This week libraries all over the U.S. are celebrating a very special event and I would almost guarantee that most of you have probably never heard of it!

It's Teen Read Week.

Teen Read Week is sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association which is a real mouthful to say, so it's commonly known in library circles as YALSA.  YALSA's goal for this week is to get teens to read for the fun of it.

Not because it's been assigned by a teacher or their parents are making them read a book, but for the sheer pleasure in reading a book or magazine of their choice for no other reason than to be entertained.

To some teens, who are more inclined to read hours of their friends rants and raves on Facebook and Twitter or choose to spend their entertainment hours on video games, television, sports and movies, the notion that they can read for fun is SCARY!

YALSA knows this, so they built this year's Teen Read Week around that very theme:

I have to admit that I was thrilled when I saw the theme on YALSA's website. It's very rare that things line up perfectly!  

• It's October-a month known for spooky, scary stories
• It's Teen Read Week
• YALSA's theme is spooky and fun
• I found an author that writes spooky, fun Young Adult novels

See what I mean-all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly for this month and I'm so excited to present Zackary Richards' and his YA books!

Tomorrow, I will give you a sneak preview of Richards' Frostie the Deadman and how the idea was born.  

Dare to come back!

Until then, remember . . .

Encourage a teen to head on over to the library and read for the fun of it!