Residents of all ages are encouraged to read the same book this summer and discuss it.
Every Child Can Read, a nonprofit organization, is again organizing the Wayne County Reads program. Free books are available through July 31 at eight locations while supplies last.
This year’s featured book is “Crenshaw” by Katherine Applegate, a New York Times best-selling author and Newbery Medal winner.
Readers will learn more about Jackson, a boy who faces housing instability as his family struggles to make ends meet. Along the way, Jackson reconnects with Crenshaw, an unlikely imaginary cat, who helps him navigate uncertainty, resilience and what it means to ask for help.
Through this shared reading experience, families can explore themes such as resilience, empathy, and the importance of support during difficult times.
“Crenshaw” aligns with ECCR’s mission to promote literacy while helping families navigate real-life topics through shared reading.
Free copies are available at all Wayne County libraries (Cambridge City, Centerville, Dublin, Hagerstown and Morrisson-Reeves in Richmond), Northeastern Wayne Schools’ Student Services Building, 7299 U.S. 27 N., Fountain City; and Richmond’s Two Sisters Books & More, 193 Fort Wayne Ave., and Twice Read Books, 3815 National Road W.
Wayne County Reads organizers say the program offers opportunities for meaningful conversations within families on topics such as empathy and perseverance. They say the program also helps kids build stronger literacy skills and confidence when adults and kids read together.
This year’s sponsors and partners include Bader Mechanical, Ahaus, Brewer Broadcasting, Reid Health Community Engagement, Quigg Fund, Rob & Kelli Quigg Family, Robin Henry and Vonderhaar Farms.
More than 1,100 free books were distributed throughout Wayne County during last year’s program.
For more information, visit everychildcanread.org.
A version of this article appeared in the June 10 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.