THE SPARTANBURG  HERALD JOURNAL

Ware, 14, is a member of The Need to Read Book Club, part of the Carver Junior High School Boys and Girls Club after-school program.

Ware and 29 other members had raised more than $1,000 by getting individuals to sponsor pages or books they had read. They were given donations based on the number of pages they read over a two-month period.

Members of the club used the funds to buy books Friday, which they will donate to the Spartanburg Children Shelter.

Emily Conrad, the Spartanburg Day School freshman who started the club in 2004, helped members of the club make their selections. The club was divided into five groups, and they picked books for ages 1 to 18.

Ware selected books for ages 13 and older. And she had a plan.

"I want to pick books that will make them want to read more," Ware said. "Like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys or 'Fever 1793.' Books that I know they'll read and like, I want them to read books that I like."

Catherine Conrad, Emily's mother, instructed the students that they could spend about $4.50 on each book and each group was to select 45 books. She also told them to pick a variety of books.

Brandon McCullough, also 14, said the project was important to him because he was able to give books to children who might never have owned their own books.

"It's something they can call their own," McCullough said. "If they start early, just like with instruments, they can get excited about learning and reading so they will read more."

Sylvia Stahley, executive director of the Spartanburg Children Shelter, said staff members encourage reading, but often, the children who are placed at the shelter come with only the clothes on their backs.

"They often have no possessions at all," she said. "We encourage reading among all kids, so to have their very own book to take with them when they leave, it really means something to them."

This is the first time members of a Need to Read Book Club chapter have chosen to give to the shelter.

There are three Need to Read Book Club chapters in Spartanburg County. The Boys and Girls Club of the Upstate and the Second Presbyterian Church Soup Kitchen have been past recipients of book gifts.

"We are open to other organizations that need books, as well," Catherine Conrad said. "It's our way of giving back."

On Saturday, the Holly Springs Motlow Elementary School Need to Read Club members donated books valued at $1,300 to the Soup Kitchen.

"We hope to expand the clubs throughout the county and the state," Conrad said. "We would like to match book clubs with organizations that have a need for books. It seems to be catching on. It's a great way to engage the kids."

Lynne P. Shackleford can be reached at 562-7424 or lynne.shackleford@shj.com.