ABDebs Bookfair
Save the date!! ABDebs Books & Gifts in conjunction with St. Matthew AME Church will hold a Book Fair on Saturday, May 31, 2008, from 10 AM until 2:00 PM.  Willa Brigham, Renowned Storyteller and Emmy Award Winning Television Host of Smart Start Kids will be at the Book Fair, along with Miles and William Rabun, young authors (7 and 9 respectively) of My Grandma`s Back Yard, and authors Kelly Starling Lyons (One Million Men and Me), Eleanora Tate (Celeste`s Harlem Renaissance), Roz Grace (Triana`s Family Reunion), Michele Andrea Bowen (Church Folk), Jacquelin Thomas (The Pastor`s Wife), Lecelia Turnage (A Gift to the Eye and More), and Sheila La`More (Runt: The Omega Wolf).  In addition to preentations by Ms..Brigham, the Rabuns, and authors, you can enjoy hot dogs, sodas, chips, free Italian Ice Treats from Rita`s, balloons, books and other prizes for all the children, photographs, and door prizes for the adults, including collectibles by International Artist Annie Lee. Also participating will be representatives from the Richard B. Harrison Library with information about library programs and services.  You are invited to come out, bring the kids, and have a wonderful time.  Admission to the Book Fair is free.

Book Clubs and Authors Reception
The Book Clubs and Authors Reception beginning at 6 PM at ABDebs on Thursday, June 12, 2008 is rapidly attracting authors, some of whom are from as far away as Atlanta.  We have an extensive list of authors of all genre of books, to include mysteries, romance, suspense, southern life, and relationships.  We continue to identify books club members who would like to take advantage of  what we have been told is a vey special and unique event. If you are a book club member or an author, or if you know or are friends with a book club member and/or an author, please ask them to give us a call at 919-217-6976 or send an e-mail to ABDebsbooksgifts@bellsouth.net  Participants will be able to meet and mingle while sharing a buffet dinner, all free of cost.  A special thanks to Nicki Leone of Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) for her outstanding help with notifying authors for this event.  

Chamber of Commerce Expo
Everyone is cordially invited to visit ABDebs Books & Gifts at Booth 57 during the Annual Knightdale Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Knightdale High School on Bryan Chalk Road, Knightdale.  Expo hours will be 2 PM to 7 PM.  We will be introducing the very latest bestsllers from the Book Sense Best Seller list and the lastest in gifts and collectibles and booth visitors can take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a  free drawing for a book and other goodies every hour. Come out for an afternoon of fun and become acquainted with the best goods and services in Knightdale.  

National Education Foundation - Adopt a School Project
The National Education Foundation (NEF), an affiliate organization of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, has adopted a Columbia Middle School in Detriot, Michigan. (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, is headeaurters in Cary, North Carolina.) The NEF plans to present the school with 5,000 books during the Sorority`s upcoming 52nd Boulé, which till take place in Detroit, July 17 - 26, 2008.  Sorority members from chapters located in all 50 states, Korea, Germany, and other international locations will purchase and donate books through June 15, 2008 . ABDebs will supply the books.  A special word of praise goes out to all my Sister Sorors in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority for their generosity and gift of books to the students of  Columbia Middle School.  Anyone interested in contributing to the book donation project can contact ABDebs at 919-217-6976 or forward an e-mail to ABDebBooksGifts@Bellsouth.net. The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) continues to identify authors to participate in the upcoming 2008 SIBA Trade Show.  SIBA invites publishers who will be exhibiting at SIBA`s 2008 Trade Show to submit the names of authors for Trade Show special events. The Trade Show will be in Mobile, Alabama, and the special events will be held Friday through Sunday, September 26-28, 2008. Suggested authors also will be considered as speakers for panels and readings. For additional information call Wanda Jewel at 1-800-331-9617 or contact her via Wanda@sibaweb.com.

SIBA Call for Authors

Richard B. Harrison Library
The Richard B. Harrison Library, located at 1313 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh,  has several activities ongoing during May.  The "Youth Book Club" will meet at the library at 6:30 PM on Tuesday,  May 20, 2008, at 6:30 PM.  The Pre-School Story Hour will be held on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM and will continue through June 14, 2008.  The Adult Book Club meets at the Library on Tuesday, May 29, 2008 at  7:00 PM and Thursday, May 27, 2008.  The Contemporary Book Club meets on Wednesday,  May 6, 2008 from 6 until 7 PM and the Morning Mystery Books Club meets May 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM.  For additional information, you may contact the Library at 919-856-6598.

The Brown Book Shelf
Originally initiated as a vehicle to help promote African American authors of quality children`s books, The Brown Book Shelf has had a very positive fallout -- a ready resource for the identification of high quality literature for children of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Parents who want to ensure that their children are afforded a positive introduction to the racially and ethnically diverse world in which they live and will grow up should check The Brown Book Shelf at www.thebrownbookshelf.com.  An organizing member is local author, Kelly Starling Lyons (One Million Men and Me.).

Boys Booked on Barbershops
The Durham Chapter of Mocha Moms has joined with Friendly City Barbershop, 2512 Fayetteville Street, Durham, to promote reading and good grooming among boys. Boys Booked on Barbeshops is a national, community based cutting edge literacy program designed to help children become well-read and well-groomed. Mocha Moms unveiled a Reading Nook in Friendly City Barborshop on April 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM.  In addition to boys reading and and being read to while waiting for their turn in the barber`s chair, the Reading Nook features barbershop themed books, other multi-culltural books, and literacy pamphlets for parents.