Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 22/05) - Yellowknife public library is welcoming youth to enter the world of espionage this summer.

The Undercover Reader program will send children ages three to 12 on various missions, Shad Turner, public services librarian, said.

"They will learn and read about travel, gadgets, disguises and secret codes and spying," said Turner, who expects about 200 participants in the program. Children will be placed in one of three age categories and can register at the library for the seven-week mission, which begins the first week of July.

"Reading is such an integral part of school and in the summer, we find they don't read because there is no structure set up for it. So if you set up a structure and make it fun, then they are quite happy to make it part of their summer activities," Turner said.

What children read is secondary to the actual reading, Turner added.

"Graphic novels are proving to be extremely popular, especially with those who are a bit reluctant about reading."

Lisa Campbell, community literacy coordinator with the NWT Literacy Council, said "it's important that children have time for independent reading on their own."

Beyond reading a book, she said activities such as craftwork, developing a puppet show or singing and storytelling can encourage children to read various forms of material.

"They all encourage language development," she said.