Get Lit! At First Night

In the past, we've had readings at First Night, but this year we are focusing on the younger set. Get Lit! will present a literary event for the family from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Auntie’s Bookstore on Wednesday, December 31.

Admission is free for children 10 and under. Otherwise, a First Night button is required for admittance. Buttons cost $12 in advance or $15 day of and can be purchased at Aunties Bookstore, City Perk, STA Plaza, Mountain West Bank in Spokane Valley, River Park Square Concierge Desk, Tomlinson Real Estate Offices, and Zip Trip Food Stores. For more information on First Night events go to: http://www.firstnightspokane.org/.

Local children’s author, Kelly Milner Halls, will kick-off the evening at 7:00 pm with a her “Wonders of the Weird” artifacts that help bring her nonfiction books—Dinosaur Mummies, Tales of the Cryptids, and Mysteries of the Kid Mummies—come to life. Kelly has a thing for science and geography, particularly the off-beat and loves to share her sense of wonder with kids. For more information visit: http://www.kellymilnerhalls.com/

The evening’s line-up will also showcase readings from our local elementary and middle school students who participated in the Get Lit!’s Writers-in-Residence Program. Over 25 students from District 81, West Valley, and Central Valley School District (Franklin Elementary, Ness Elementary, and Summit School) will present their poems and other writings. Our young writers have been writing, rewriting, and practicing their presentation for this special event.

At 8:30 pm, Patrick Carman, a children’s and young adult author from Walla Walla, will close the program with a reading from some of his bestselling series such as: The Land of Elyon, Atherton and Elliot's Park. Patrick is the award-winning author of many books for young adults and children and has new books in these series scheduled for release throughout 2009, as well as a new book, Skeleton Creek, which is part book/part online adventure. Check his website at www.enterskeletoncreek.com for more details.

Hopefully we'll see you there! If you are interested in volunteering with us at Auntie's from 6:30 to 9:30, you'll get a free button to go and play the rest of the night and all of First Day. If you are interested, call Dani at 368-6590.