Kids spend an afternoon with Captain Reading at the Wareham Library

Aug 6, 2015

Captain Reading flew into the Wareham Free Library Thursday afternoon to share his super-powerful reading skills with some kids, during the Library's reoccurring "Lunch with a Hero" series.

Captain Reading, whose not-so-secret identity is YMCA camp counselor and ORR senior Evan Portelance, read a book about another superhero, Batman, to a small group of kids.

"I have two Batman books, but not that one. But I've seen it before," said 6-year-old Issac Lewis.

"Lunch with a Hero" is a weekly event in the Summer Reading Program, which hopes to spark kids interest in reading and in their community.

Wareham librarian Marica Hickey, who runs most of the children's events, asked the kids what their superpowers are.

Nevaeh Benting, a fourth-grader from Westport said her superpower is writing and that "Junie B. Jones" books are her favorite.

Celia Lewis, 5, said she likes Dr. Seuss, and that she and her brother are starting to read Shel Silverstein at home.

The kids were in luck when Hickey read them all "Overdue," by Shel Silverstein, about someone who doesn't know what to do with a library book that is 42 years overdue.

"Return it!" Lewis said.

"Your mom would get sick of reading you the same book for 42 years," Benting said.

The Summer Reading Program runs through Aug. 13, with the last big event taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 11, when Mike the Bubble Guy stops by the Library for a magical and scientific bubble show.

The interactive event starts at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit the library website or call the library at 508-295-2343.