For the first time, Salina Public Library’s community-wide read program, Salina Reads, includes a children’s selection. Through the end of October, families are encouraged to read and discuss “The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window,” written by Jeff Gottesfeld and illustrated by Peter McCarty. Children are invited to submit questions to the author through Oct. 31 in the library’s Youth Services department. Gottesfeld will reply to questions via email.

“The Tree in the Courtyard” tells the story of Anne Frank from the perspective of the chestnut tree outside the attic where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis. A review in School Library Journal calls the book “a noteworthy and highly recommended introduction to a difficult and significant topic.”

This is the fourth year for Salina Reads, which occurs in September and October. Books are selected by committees which read a range of options. The adult selections for this year are “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler and “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri.

For more information, please contact Kristi Hansen by email at khansen@salpublib.org, by phone at 785-825-4624, ext. 231, or visit the library at 301 W. Elm.