'The Lost Library' is 2024's Kids Reading Across RI selection. Meet the authors on May 4.

"The Lost Library," by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, is the 2024 Kids Reading Across Rhode Island selection, the Rhode Island Center for the Book has announced.

The New York Times bestseller is about a little free library, guarded by a large orange cat, that appears overnight in a small town. When 11-year-old Evan takes two books from its shelves, he discovers that one of the books holds a connection to a long-ago event that none of the grownups in town wants to talk about. Evan and his best friend start asking questions whose answers will change the course of their lives, and the town itself.

The authors will be on hand to discuss the book and sign copies at a May 4 kickoff event at the Rhode Island State House from 2 to 4 p.m. Participating families will receive a free copy of "The Lost Library" while supplies last, and the event will include activities, music, a play adaptation of the book and more. Free parking is available in the state lots.

Kids Reading Across Rhode Island, now in its 15th year, aims to inspire children in grades three through six to keep reading over the summer break. Programming continues in public libraries throughout the summer, expanding into summer reading programs that introduce new books and encourage continued reading beyond the assigned school curriculum.

Sets of books are available to classroom teachers and library discussion groups by contacting danielle.margarida@olis.ri.gov. Additional information about the program can be found on the websites of the Rhode Island Center for the Book (ri.book.org) and the Office of Library and Information Services (olis.ri.gov/youth/krari).

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'The Lost Library' is 2024 Kids Reading Across Rhode Island book pick